Denverton (microprocessor)

Denverton (microprocessor). Denverton is a family of system on a chip (SoC) microprocessors introduced by Intel in 2017, designed for use in network-attached storage (NAS) and entry-level server applications. It succeeded the Avoton platform, moving to a more advanced 14 nm manufacturing process and offering a significant increase in core count. The platform is part of Intel's broader strategy to provide energy-efficient solutions for the data center and edge computing markets.

Overview

The Denverton platform, formally known as the Intel Atom processor C3000 series, was unveiled to address the growing demands for dense, low-power compute in infrastructure applications. It represented a major evolution from its Avoton predecessor by doubling the maximum core count and integrating more features onto the system on a chip. Key improvements included support for faster DDR4 memory, enhanced I/O capabilities, and integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet controllers. The launch was positioned against competing architectures from AMD and various ARM-based vendors in the microserver space.

Architecture

Architecturally, Denverton is based on the Goldmont microarchitecture, an evolution of the Silvermont design used in Avoton. The 14 nm process technology allowed Intel to pack up to 16 x86-64 cores onto a single die while maintaining a low thermal design power (TDP) envelope. The system on a chip integrates a memory controller supporting DDR4 with ECC, multiple PCI Express lanes, and SATA ports for direct storage attachment. A defining feature was the inclusion of up to four integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet MACs, reducing the need for external network interface controllers and saving board space and power.

Product lineup

The product lineup, marketed as the Intel Atom C3000 series, included numerous SKUs segmented by core count, clock speed, and feature sets. Models ranged from quad-core parts like the Intel Atom C3558 to the flagship 16-core Intel Atom C3958. Variants differed in their number of integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, PCI Express lane configurations, and support for Intel QuickAssist Technology for hardware-accelerated cryptography. These processors were offered in a FCBGA 1310 package and were designed for soldered-down deployment on custom motherboards from partners like Supermicro and ASRock.

Applications

Primary applications for Denverton processors were in network-attached storage appliances, where their high core count, integrated SATA, and low power consumption were advantageous for handling multiple storage and data serving tasks. They were also deployed in edge computing devices, routers, firewalls, and lightweight servers for content delivery networks. The platform's integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet made it particularly suitable for software-defined networking and network function virtualization use cases, competing with solutions from Cavium (now Marvell Technology Group) and Applied Micro Circuits Corporation.

Successor

Denverton was succeeded in Intel's portfolio by the Snow Ridge platform, a 10 nm system on a chip based on the Tremont microarchitecture and announced in 2019. Snow Ridge was specifically targeted at the 5G baseband and edge computing markets, offering greater performance per watt and enhanced I/O. The transition marked a shift in Intel's low-power strategy towards more specialized infrastructure processing units and a stronger focus on wireless network infrastructure, while the legacy network-attached storage and microserver segments continued to be served by evolving Xeon D and Intel Atom P series products.

Category:Intel microprocessors Category:2017 introductions