Krunker » VIA Nano

Shuttle introduces XS29 Series with support for VIA Nano processors

flung — Wed, 27 May 2009 22:56:03 +0000

Shuttle Inc, best known for their small form factor PC product line, is at it again – this time introducing a new series built around the VIA Nano processor called the XS29 series.

The new series, which is a part of their Embedded Slim series lineup, consists of two new models – the XS29 and XS29F. The XS29 utilizes the VIA Nano L Series processor while the XS29F is a fanless design utilizing the VIA Nano U Series processor. Given that the XS29F is fanless, you’ll be able to enjoy a noise-free, dust-free, and maintenance-free system.

These systems are ideal for individuals looking to perform light processing work such as web surfing, checking email, working on documents etc. while also maintaining great power efficiency and conservation.

Shuttle will show off the XS29 series at the upcoming Computex show in Taipei Taiwan with availability also expected in June.

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Technorati Tags: Shuttle Inc, VIA Nano, Shuttle XS29, Shuttle XS29F

ExtremeTech compares the Intel Atom to the VIA Nano

flung — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:40:59 +0000

ExtremeTech ran an interesting article comparing the new VIA Nano processor against the Intel Atom processor here on their website. Both processors (and their respective platforms) are geared towards mobile devices aiming to deliver good performance, good battery life, and low heat dissipation. Since the Intel Atom supports hyper-threading one would assume that the Atom would do better than the Nano at multi-process/multi-threaded oriented benchmarks.. and guess what? It does. However, benchmarks that are single-threaded show the performance to be somewhat of a wash between the two processors. Ultimately what the deciding factor might boil down to is the power consumption of these processors – with the Nano and it’s platform consuming slightly more than the Atom and it’s platform. Of course, having been manufactured on a 45nm process certainly helps the Atom’s cause.

For more details, check out the ExtremeTech article.

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Technorati Tags: Intel Atom, VIA Nano, ExtremeTech, Performance Benchmarks

VIA introduces the Nano processor

flung — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:48:55 +0000

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:

Model	Clock Speed	VIA V4 Bus	Maximum Power (TDP Max)
VIA Nano L2100	1.8GHz	800MHz	25W
VIA Nano L2200	1.6GHz	800MHz	17W
VIA Nano U2400	1.3+GHz	800MHz	8W
VIA Nano U2500	1.2GHz	800MHz	6.8W
VIA Nano U2300	1.0GHz	800MHz	5W

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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Technorati Tags: VIA Technologies, VIA Nano