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Dual-core Nano 3000 Processor Blows Atom Up?
Posted by | Posted in Rumor/Speculation | Posted on 02-01-2009
Dual-core Intel Atom rivals are in the works. Via Technologies is planning a very low-power, dual-core Nano 3000 processor, according to Chinese-language Web site HKEPC. Via’s C7-M processor is used in Hewlett-Packard’s 2133 Mini-Note, which preceded the crop of Netbooks based on the Atom CPU. Via processors, however, were subsequently eclipsed by Intel’s Atom.
Advanced Micro Devices will target its low-power dual-core “Conesus” at the laptop market segment above Atom’s Netbook-centric space. Meanwhile, Freescale Semiconductor has indicated that it will bring out a very-low-power ARM chip that features a dual-core graphics engine targeted at Netbook-like laptops.
All of these developments indicate that the market for ultra-small devices and laptops should heat up in 2009. Intel currently offers the dual-core Atom 330 that is targeted at Nettops–small desktop computers.
The dual-core version of the Via Nano 3000–due in late 2009 or 2010–may use a Fujitsu 45-nanometer or TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 40-nanometer manufacturing process, according to HKEPC. The Intel Atom is based on 45-nanometer process technology. The Via chip may also include SSE4 instruction support, HKEPC said. Generally, SSE4 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 4) instructions speed up multimedia applications.
Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10129923-64.html
