Via Technologies, a developer of affordable low-power computing solutions, has announced its first dual-core central processing units (CPUs). The new chips arrive nearly six years after dual-core microprocessors from Advanced Micro Devices and Intel Corp. The developer of the processor claims that the Nano X2 chip is suitable for both desktop and mobile applications.

Via Nano X2 processors are built using the 64-bit, out-of-order code-named Isaiah micro-architecture that powers previous single-core Via Nano processors. The Isaiah micro-architecture comes with SSE4, 64-bit support, VT CPU virtualization technology and Via PadLock hardware security features. VIA Nano X2 processors are also pin-to-pin compatible with previous Via Nano, Via C7, Via C7-M and VIA Eden processors, facilitating easy upgrades of existing designs. Via Technologis Nano X2 processors are also compatible with all Via media system processors and digital media chipsets including the latest Via VX900 and Via VN1000.

The Nano X2 central processing units are made using 40nm process technology at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Unfortunately, Via decided not to declare any technical characteristics of its dual-core chips, including clock-speed or power consumption.

"The Via Nano X2 processor arrives at a time when software architectures are now optimized to for multi-thread computing. Improvements in semi-conductor fabrication means we can now double the number of processor cores while maintaining the same low energy consumption levels that our customers are used to,” said Richard Brown, vice president  of international marketing at Via Technologies.

Tags: Via, Nano, 40nm, Isaiah