intel Atom N450 : is a single core processor with a cpu speed of 1.66 GHz, 512 KB cache, number of threads 2, 64 – bit instruction set and instruction set extensions like SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, bus/core ratio 10, 45 nm of lithography, 5.5 W of max TDP (Thermal Design Power/ Thermal Design Point – TDP – it is the maximum amount of power required by the cooling system to dissipate), 0.800 V – 1.175 V of VID voltage range, 2 GB max memory size, DDR2 – 667 memory type, one memory channel.
The other technologies of the processor include Embedded options, Integrated Graphics, Intel Hyper Threading Technology, Intel 64, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (technology which allows the processor to meet its required performance for its operation during minimal power draw and heat dissipation), Thermal Monitoring Technologies, Execute Disable Bit.
Intel Atom N550 : is a dual core processor with CPU speed of 1.5 GHz, 1 MB Cache, number of threads 4, 2.5 GT/s of DMI, 64 – bit instruction set and instruction set extensions like SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, 45 nm of Lithography, 8.5 W of max TDP, max memory size of 2 GB, DDR3 memory type, one memory channel.
The other features of the processor include Integrated Graphics, 200 MHz of Graphics Base Frequency, Intel Hyper Threading Technology, Intel 64, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology, Thermal Monitoring Technologies, Execute Disable bit
The Intel Atom N550 is the newest member of Intel's low power and high mobility devices, the N550 also increases the battery life by being more optimal in power usage. With the price difference not much and the newer Models of ASUS and ACER priced around $50- $75 above the models based on N450. It is worth spending the extra few bucks for buying a netbook with Atom N550.
On the Price vs Performance scale Intel Atom N550 beats the Atom N450 handsdown,
With a dual core processor in its atom series, the Atom is catching up with the laptop processors, for instance the Atom N550 fares better than many of the processors available on the 11.6 inch laptops. Making it one more reason to go with Netbooks.
Below is the CPU benchmarks for some of the popular Intel Atom Series Processors and low end mobile processors
Intel Atom N550 @ 1.50GHz 559
Intel Atom Z550 @ 2.00GHz – 386
Intel Atom N470 @ 1.83GHz 355
Intel Atom D410 @ 1.66GHz 346
Intel Atom Z540 @ 1.86GHz 341
Intel Atom N475 @ 1.83GHz 337
Intel Atom D425 @ 1.80GHz 327
Intel Atom N450 @ 1.66GHz 319
Intel Atom 230 @ 1.60GHz 315
Intel Atom N280 @ 1.66GHz 314
Intel Atom N455 @ 1.66GHz 309
Intel Atom N270 @ 1.60GHz 304
Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.60GHz 299