VIA introduces "QuadCore".

stmok · 12th May 2011, 2:19 PM

I shit you not! They are officially marketing the name QuadCore!

Its two dual-core Nano X2s mounted on the same package.

Via intros QuadCore processor with guess how many cores...
Because 'Nano X4' would be too obvious
=> http://techreport.com/articles.x/20932

Quote:

Initially, Via is introducing a single model of the QuadCore, the L4700, rated for 1.2GHz operation and a maximum thermal and power envelope (TDP) of 27.5W. This CPU has a front-side bus speed of 1333MHz and a total of 4MB of L2 cache. However, as with other recent PC processors, those specifications only tell a part of the story.

New on the QuadCore's feature list is something called Adaptive Overclocking, which isn't really overclocking in the void-your-warranty sense we've come to know and love. Instead, Adaptive Overclocking enables the CPU to range dynamically up to frequencies as high as 1.46GHz, provided there's sufficient thermal and power headroom available, much like Intel's Turbo Boost. Via indicates this possibility by listing the QuadCore's clock speed as "1.2+ GHz," just to keep folks guessing.

Creekin · 12th May 2011, 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

I shit you not! They are officially marketing the name QuadCore!

Release the Lawyers!!!

bobbth · 12th May 2011, 6:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creekin

Release the Lawyers!!!

More like wake up the lawyers

dr_deathy · 12th May 2011, 6:33 PM

taking notes from intel.

Q6600 is totally not two E6600's...

SLATYE · 12th May 2011, 9:16 PM

I can't really see the point of this. It'll almost certainly be significantly slower than a low-end Core 2 Duo or Pentium Dual Core; Nano had plenty of trouble just competing with the newer Atom designs. It's more power hungry than many of the mobile Core 2 CPUs, and not all that far off the power consumption of a mobile Core 2 Quad or Core i7.

Based on Via's previous systems, it'll cost a small fortune. Why would anyone bother? Or are Via systems much cheaper compared to AMD/Intel ones in China than they are here?

stmok · 13th May 2011, 1:27 AM

Anandtech also talks about it.
=> http://www.anandtech.com/show/4332/v...no-gets-bigger

They also show that VIA uses Core i5 and i7 systems to run simulations of their designs. They even water cool and overclock them to 5Ghz!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLATYE

Based on Via's previous systems, it'll cost a small fortune. Why would anyone bother? Or are Via systems much cheaper compared to AMD/Intel ones in China than they are here?

They make money selling the VIA 8505 processor series to generic no-name OEMs over there. Its a cheap ARM-based processor. (300Mhz to 500Mhz-ish.) ...From an ARM9 license they bought. Its like 3 generations old. The current darling of the ARM line is the Cortex series.

Hell, those VIA 8505-based systems end up on our shores in no-name netbook and tablet form! Running either Windows CE 6.x or Android 2.x for about $170-ish. (DirectDeals.com.au has a few.)

bobbth · 13th May 2011, 5:20 PM

I would buy a via system just to support them, I would love to put one under water and OC it (so long as the motherboard supports it). It would be really nice to see some more intel competition (even if it was massively inferior).

HUMMER · 13th May 2011, 5:22 PM

wow. via's think tank must have brainstormed the name for a while. so imaginative.

SLATYE · 13th May 2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

They make money selling the VIA 8505 processor series to generic no-name OEMs over there. Its a cheap ARM-based processor. (300Mhz to 500Mhz-ish.) ...From an ARM9 license they bought. Its like 3 generations old. The current darling of the ARM line is the Cortex series.

Hell, those VIA 8505-based systems end up on our shores in no-name netbook and tablet form! Running either Windows CE 6.x or Android 2.x for about $170-ish. (DirectDeals.com.au has a few.)

Ah, good point. I've seen a few of those around.

But what is the point in continuing x86 development? I can imagine Nano might cost less than Atom to produce (although it's unlikely) so that'd give them a good ultra-low-cost competitor. But I can't see a quad-core Nano costing less than a dual-core Core i3 or Core 2 with equivalent or better performance.

I would have thought it'd make more sense to cancel x86 development and put the money towards a license for newer ARM architectures instead. Since Via still has an x86 license they could even look at doing a chip that'll handle both (ie something like an ARM Cortex A8 + Nano) if there was a market for it.

stmok · 14th May 2011, 4:28 PM

They still make money on other things like chips for...
=> Network controllers
=> Audio controllers
=> SATA/PATA controllers
=> USB controllers
etc...You'll often encounter one or two chips on motherboards, PCI/PCI-express cards, etc.

As for their x86 licensing with Intel. I recall back in 2003, they negotiated on a cross-license deal, which allowed them to design and make x86 CPUs for 10 years. I don't know what they're going to do when it ends in 2013.

(They also had a 3 yr grace period for Intel processor sockets. It explains why they only do processors soldered onto mobos nowadays.)

It really makes you wonder what deals AMD has to do with Intel in order to stay in the x86 market and compete with them.

As for x86 compatibility with ARM...

One approach is in China, with the development of their MIPS-based Loongson/Godson/Dragon processor line; they have hard-coded x86 instructions on the silicon die to run x86 software with QEMU (open source processor emulator software)...And this allows you to run Windows on it.

But its not all sunshine and rainbows, as this approach has a performance cost: 70% of native execution speeds. As well, using QEMU has its own major shortcomings: Hardware is emulated like in virtualisation solutions. No 3D acceleration. Limited range of hardware devices being emulated.

They don't need to apply for a license with Intel, as this dances around it. Intel doesn't care if you emulate x86 via a software approach...But if you design and make native x86 chips, that's a different story.

I agree that VIA should, as a long term strategy; start planning and working on ARM based solutions in a more aggressive manner. (Presuming they don't want to renew their x86 license in 2013). Apply for a Cortex-A15 series license from ARM Holdings in order to get the ball rolling...And work with Microsoft to ensure it works with the Windows 8 ARM-port.

I wonder if they can re-implement their hardware accelerated encryption technology (VIA PadLock) into an ARM design.

Dezza Bot · 14th May 2011, 7:55 PM

I'm not sure where they plan to compete with this one, Via are losing the plot more and more when it comes to their cpus. Since Via doesn't compete on a cost, but usually on a wattage/featureset basis, this chip as a 27.5W quadcore has to compete directly with either the 35w Core i3 2390T, or with with the 13w Atom D525. Those are both dual core parts, so it only works if you really need 4 x86 cores in a sub 30w package, which it then find itself up against AMDs like the Phenom II P960.

SLATYE · 14th May 2011, 9:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

As for their x86 licensing with Intel. I recall back in 2003, they negotiated on a cross-license deal, which allowed them to design and make x86 CPUs for 10 years. I don't know what they're going to do when it ends in 2013.

(They also had a 3 yr grace period for Intel processor sockets. It explains why they only do processors soldered onto mobos nowadays.)

I don't think it'll be a huge loss if Via have to shut down x86 production. By that time Windows 8 will probably be released or near to release, and it'll support ARM CPUs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

It really makes you wonder what deals AMD has to do with Intel in order to stay in the x86 market and compete with them.

AMD owns the x86-64 license, so if the cross-licensing agreement expires then Intel's going to have some fairly big problems. Presumably Intel won't push that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

As for x86 compatibility with ARM...

One approach is in China, with the development of their MIPS-based Loongson/Godson/Dragon processor line; they have hard-coded x86 instructions on the silicon die to run x86 software with QEMU (open source processor emulator software)...And this allows you to run Windows on it.

But its not all sunshine and rainbows, as this approach has a performance cost: 70% of native execution speeds. As well, using QEMU has its own major shortcomings: Hardware is emulated like in virtualisation solutions. No 3D acceleration. Limited range of hardware devices being emulated.

They don't need to apply for a license with Intel, as this dances around it. Intel doesn't care if you emulate x86 via a software approach...But if you design and make native x86 chips, that's a different story.

Interesting. A bit like the Transmeta Crusoe, although that was only designed for x86 work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

I agree that VIA should, as a long term strategy; start planning and working on ARM based solutions in a more aggressive manner. (Presuming they don't want to renew their x86 license in 2013). Apply for a Cortex-A15 series license from ARM Holdings in order to get the ball rolling...And work with Microsoft to ensure it works with the Windows 8 ARM-port.

I'd be somewhat surprised if Intel would even let Via renew the x86 license for a reasonable price. They wouldn't let nVidia buy a license recently.

Applying for a Cortex-A15 license sounds like a good option. Via's IGP solutions might provide very reasonable performance for an ultra-mobile platform, and they've already figured out hardware video decoding. As you've said, having the encryption systems in ARM chips would be nice - as far as I know it'd make the Via chips unique.

Hive · 16th May 2011, 3:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmok

I shit you not! They are officially marketing the name QuadCore!

Its two dual-core Nano X2s mounted on the same package.

Via intros QuadCore processor with guess how many cores...
Because 'Nano X4' would be too obvious
=> http://techreport.com/articles.x/20932

Its Kentsfield all over again

bobbth · 30th May 2011, 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IACSecurity

Intel can take x86... and AMD will take x86-64... they cross licence.

If anything it appears that AMD have Intel by the balls. Not vice versa.

Would it be possible for AMD to licence x86-64 to Via and by-pass Intel all together? or would via need both licences?

Apokalipse · 13th July 2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbth

If anything it appears that AMD have Intel by the balls. Not vice versa.

Would it be possible for AMD to licence x86-64 to Via and by-pass Intel all together? or would via need both licences?

AFAIK AMD have already licensed x86-64 to Via and is used by them starting from Isaiah/Nano

12th May 2011, 9:16 PM	#5
SLATYE SLATYE, not SLAYTE Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 25,773	I can't really see the point of this. It'll almost certainly be significantly slower than a low-end Core 2 Duo or Pentium Dual Core; Nano had plenty of trouble just competing with the newer Atom designs. It's more power hungry than many of the mobile Core 2 CPUs, and not all that far off the power consumption of a mobile Core 2 Quad or Core i7. Based on Via's previous systems, it'll cost a small fortune. Why would anyone bother? Or are Via systems much cheaper compared to AMD/Intel ones in China than they are here? __________________ Main system: Phenom II X4 920 \| 8GB (4x 2GB) DDR2-800 \| Gigabyte M57SLI-S4 v2.0 \| Leadtek Geforce 9600GSO 384MB \| Enermax Modu82+ 525W \| 1TB Hitachi HDD \| 3.5" + 5.25" FDD Laptop: Compal EL80 \| C2D T7200 \| 320GB Fujistu HDD \| 2GB DDR2-667 \| GF Go 7600

13th May 2011, 5:22 PM	#8
HUMMER Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: sydney Posts: 8,932	wow. via's think tank must have brainstormed the name for a while. so imaginative. __________________ Originally Posted by Randy_Chuggs - I just get down on all fours and suck it out Originally Posted by Subcommandante - Who are DVDA? Just a bunch of guys hanging out and having fun... Originally Posted by Agg - You seem to be confusing OCAU with some kind of democracy. Originally Posted by Spyfox - mount it on the rear like a brokeback cowboy

14th May 2011, 4:28 PM	#10
stmok Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 8,872	They still make money on other things like chips for... => Network controllers => Audio controllers => SATA/PATA controllers => USB controllers etc...You'll often encounter one or two chips on motherboards, PCI/PCI-express cards, etc. As for their x86 licensing with Intel. I recall back in 2003, they negotiated on a cross-license deal, which allowed them to design and make x86 CPUs for 10 years. I don't know what they're going to do when it ends in 2013. (They also had a 3 yr grace period for Intel processor sockets. It explains why they only do processors soldered onto mobos nowadays.) It really makes you wonder what deals AMD has to do with Intel in order to stay in the x86 market and compete with them. As for x86 compatibility with ARM... One approach is in China, with the development of their MIPS-based Loongson/Godson/Dragon processor line; they have hard-coded x86 instructions on the silicon die to run x86 software with QEMU (open source processor emulator software)...And this allows you to run Windows on it. But its not all sunshine and rainbows, as this approach has a performance cost: 70% of native execution speeds. As well, using QEMU has its own major shortcomings: Hardware is emulated like in virtualisation solutions. No 3D acceleration. Limited range of hardware devices being emulated. They don't need to apply for a license with Intel, as this dances around it. Intel doesn't care if you emulate x86 via a software approach...But if you design and make native x86 chips, that's a different story. I agree that VIA should, as a long term strategy; start planning and working on ARM based solutions in a more aggressive manner. (Presuming they don't want to renew their x86 license in 2013). Apply for a Cortex-A15 series license from ARM Holdings in order to get the ball rolling...And work with Microsoft to ensure it works with the Windows 8 ARM-port. I wonder if they can re-implement their hardware accelerated encryption technology (VIA PadLock) into an ARM design. __________________ "Haters gonna hate." => "I have no logical rebuttal to your criticism so I'm going to say something simple and meaningless to make myself feel better."-crabjokeman from Techreport.com forums. "The politicians don’t just want your money. They want your soul. They want you to be worn down by taxes until you are dependent and helpless."-James Dale Davidson.

14th May 2011, 7:55 PM	#11
Dezza Bot Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 4,143	I'm not sure where they plan to compete with this one, Via are losing the plot more and more when it comes to their cpus. Since Via doesn't compete on a cost, but usually on a wattage/featureset basis, this chip as a 27.5W quadcore has to compete directly with either the 35w Core i3 2390T, or with with the 13w Atom D525. Those are both dual core parts, so it only works if you really need 4 x86 cores in a sub 30w package, which it then find itself up against AMDs like the Phenom II P960. __________________ There is a harsh truth on what it means to be an independent, iPad-bashing geek. “As a mainstream, closed-platform device whose major claim to fame is ease of use and sex appeal, the iPad is everything that they are not.”

12th May 2011, 6:33 PM	#4
dr_deathy Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,288	taking notes from intel. Q6600 is totally not two E6600's...

13th May 2011, 5:20 PM	#7
bobbth Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 673	I would buy a via system just to support them, I would love to put one under water and OC it (so long as the motherboard supports it). It would be really nice to see some more intel competition (even if it was massively inferior).