Via intros Cyrix notebook chip
Print storyCeleron target of cunning plan
Posted in Channel, 21st September 2000 03:23 GMT
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Via Technology Forum The CPU division of Via is targeting Intel at the low end of the notebook market with a 76 square millimetre Socket 370 processor which it claims will give longer battery life and offer lower power consumption.
The chip, which is based on the IDT-Centaur core, will be released at similar clock speeds to the Cyrix III processor, and production will start next month, said Via.
According to Via, the processor will run without a fan, and although this is a Socket 370 chip, it is likely that the firm will introduce a BGA package sometime in the future. Via is aiming to get power consumption below four watts.
The future processors will be incorporated into value and ultra slim notebooks and use Via LongHaul power management software to extend battery life. Typical street prices for a notebook using the parts will be around the $1,000 mark, a representative said.
Benchmarks shown to The Register on power consumption versus the Celeron show that on WinSE Boot, the Via chip consumes 9.9 watts compared to 17.7 watts for the Intel part; with the Final Reality benchmark giving a figure of 8.4 watts compared to 14.8 watts for the Celeron.
Today, Via also outlined its chipset support for the Athlon mobile platform, codenamed Twister. ®
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