Processors upgrade desktop multimedia

Nano processors are billed as the next generation of x86 technology, providing the fundamental building blocks for a new genre of optimised computing.

The new VIA Nano processor family is based on the company's novel Isaiah Architecture.

Building on the market-leading energy efficiency of the VIA C7 processor family, the VIA Nano processor family offers as much as four times the performance within the same power range to extend VIA's performance per watt leadership, while pin compatibility with VIA C7 processors will ensure a smooth transition for OEMs and motherboard vendors, and provides them with an easy upgrade path for current system or board designs.

The first 64bit, superscalar, speculative out-of-order processors in VIA's x86 platform portfolio, VIA Nano processors have been specifically designed to revitalise traditional desktop and notebook PC markets, delivering truly optimised performance for the most demanding computing, entertainment and connectivity applications, including Blu-ray Disc HD video playback and the latest PC games, such as Crysis.

The VIA Nano processor family leverages Fujitsu's advanced 65nm process technology for enhanced power efficiency, and augments that with aggressive power and thermal management features within the compact 21 x 21mm nanoBGA2 package for an idle power as low as 100mW, extending the reach of power efficient green and silent PCs, thin and light notebooks and mini-notes around the world.

"VIA Nano processors represent the next generation of x86 technology, providing the fundamental building blocks for a new genre of optimised computing solutions", said Wenchi Chen, President and CEO, VIA Technologies.

"'Small is beautiful' is more than a design strategy; it's our vision of where the PC market is heading and our new processors will help the market realise that dream".

The VIA Nano processor family boasts the highly efficient VIA V4 bus interface and brings a host of technology firsts to VIA's processor platform line-up.

The 64bit superscalar speculative out-of-order microarchitecture supports a full 64bit instruction set and provides for macro-fusion and micro-fusion functionality, and sophisticated branch prediction for greater processor efficiency and performance.

The high-speed, low power VIA V4 front side bus starting at 800MHz, plus a high floating point unit, support for new SSE instructions, and two 64Kbyte L1 caches and 1Mbyte exclusive L2 cache with 16-way associativity gives a big boost to multimedia performance.

Aggressive management of active power includes support for the new "C6" power state, Adaptive PowerSaver Technology, new circuit techniques and mechanisms for managing the die temperature, reducing power draw and improving thermal management.

Pin-to-pin compatibility with current VIA C7 processors enables a smooth transition for OEMs and mainboard vendors, enabling them to offer a wider range of products for different markets with a single board or system design.

In addition to full compliance with RoHS and WEEE regulations, product manufacturing will be halogen-free and lead-free at launch, helping to promote a cleaner environment and more sustainable computing.

Industry-leading on-die hardware cryptographic acceleration and security features include dual quantum random number generators, an AES Encryption Engine, NX-bit and SHA-1 and SHA-256 hashing.

VIA Nano processors are available now for OEMs and motherboard vendors.

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