X-bit labs

Via Technologies Expects Systems Based on New-Gen Chips in May or June.

Category: CPU

by Anton Shilov

[ 03/26/2008 | 02:01 PM ]

Via Technologies, a struggling designer of x86 central processing units (CPUs), said this week that it expects first systems based on the new-generation microprocessors by the company to emerge either in May or June, 2008. If the new chips known under Isaiah name become popular, then it will be a comeback for Via, which once was a huge developer of core-logic sets.

“Samples of the Isaiah-architecture-based x86 chips are now being shipped aggressively to customers with a release timeframe of May-June,” said Glenn Henry, chief executive of Centaur Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Via Technologies, in an interview with Cnet News.com.

Mr. Henry said that the first microprocessors based on Isaiah micro-architecture will be aimed at low-cost small form-factor low-power devices, such as sub-notebooks like Asustek Computer’s Asus Eee PC. Since there are many companies pushing such devices into the market these days, Via Technologies can potentially substantially improve its CPU market share.

According to Via, the company already has design wins with its Isaiah processor and the company is sure that the actual devices will emerge in about two months time on the market, which should boost revenues of the company that has been declining for many quarters now.

Via Isaiah is the first x86 processor from Via Technologies that features 64-bit instruction set along with a superscalar and out of order execution engine, macro-fusion and micro-fusion functionality, advanced branch prediction mechanism, advanced floating point unit as well as support for virtualization technology and Via PadLock security engine. Eventually there will be dual-core Isaiah CPUs, though, no details are available at this time.

The new chips that belong to the Isaiah family will also feature Adaptive PowerSaver Technology that further reduces power consumption and improve thermal management, including the unique TwinTurbo dual-PLL implementation, which permits smooth transitions between activity states within one clock cycle, ensuring always-on service and minimize latency, as well as new mechanisms for managing the die temperature.

Actual market prospects of Isaiah are still unclear since Via Technologies holds not only its CPU roadmap and capabilities under wraps, but also does not provide any performance estimates of its first-generation Via Isaiah microprocessors.