VIA today extended its low-power Eden ESP processor family to 800MHz and 1GHz.

Hardly likely to challenge the x86 mainstream, that. But VIA is aiming the part at small form-factor PCs and PC-derived consumer electronics kit - almost all of which specify fanless operation.

At 1GHz, the 130nm Eden consumes as little as 7W, VIA said.

The new Edens are based on VIA's Nehemiah core - also the foundation for its C3 desktop line and Antaur mobile processor. The chips sport dual hardware random number generators for improved security.

Already available at 733MHz - as the Eden ESP7000 - the new ESP8000 and ESP10000 chips are prices at $85 and $100, respectively. The new versions are pin-compatible with other Nehemiah-based CPUs, and operate within the same thermal envelope as the older ESP7000. ®