VIA Technologies introduces a new processor family today called the VIA Nano processor. Based on the VIA Isiah architecture, the Nano is pin compatible with VIA’s current C7 line of processors yet offers as much as four times the performance within the same power range as the C7. The VIA Nano is expected to compete against both Intel’s Atom processor on the ultra-mobile front as well as Intel’s low end Celeron processors for notebooks and desktop systems. The Nano is VIA’s first 64 bit, superscalar, speculative out of order processor in VIA’s x86 family of processors.

Features of the Nano include:

• Built using Fujitsu’s 65 nanometer process
• 21 x 21 mm  nanonBGA2 package
• Uses as little as 100mW in idle power
• 64 bit superscalar speculative out-of-order microarchitecture
• FSB starting at 800MHz
• Support for new SSE instructions
• Two 64 KB L1 caches and 1MB exclusive L2 cache with 16 way associativity
• New C6 power state
• Adaptive PowerSaver technology
• “Greener” – product manufacturing will be halogen-free and lead-free
• Enhanced VIA PadLock Security Engine

There are five models available across the two series:

The VIA Nano will be launched initially in two SKUs – the Nano L-series for desktop and mobile PC systems and the ultra low voltage U-series for small form factor systems and ultra-mobile devices.

The introduction of the Nano could be great news for the ultra-mobile front where we’ve seen a lot of action recently with the ASUS Eee PC and the HP Mini-Note. The Mini-Note already uses VIA C7 processor so it’s not hard to imagine the possibility of an upgraded Mini-Note later on with one of these VIA Nano processors since they are pin-compatible with the C7 processor family.

The Nano is available now for OEMs and motherboard vendors. Systems with Nano processors are expected in the third quarter.

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