Transmeta Corporation unveiled today the brand-name for its code-named TM8000 processor due to be launched later this year. The chip formerly known as Astro will be marketed under “Efficeon” brand to emphasize its low-power high-performance architecture.

Transmeta Efficeon, the successor of Crusoe, is based on 256-bit VLIW architecture. The CPU is able to perform 8 instructions per clock thanks to the 256-bit VLIW architecture in contrast to 4 instructions performed by Crusoe microprocessors. Transmeta’s Efficeon processor will be manufactured using 0.13 micron process from TSMC and its core clock will be about 1.40GHz at the launch.

Transmeta Efficeon integrates PC3200-supporting memory controller in the chip from the present PC2100 controller found on the Crusoe microprocessors for even more performance. Even though PC3200 is definitely not the most power-saving type of memory, the Santa Clara, California-based firm says that Efficeon’s power consumption is 47% lower than that of the TM5x00 series.

Additionally, Transmeta Efficeon processor integrates AGP 4x interface for graphics solutions as well as on-chip 400MHz HyperTransport bus interface for connecting other components of the system.

Mass production of Transmeta Efficeon microprocessors will begin later this year at TSMC using 0.13 micron technology process. At Comdex Fall 2002 a Transmeta representative said that the actual CPUs will cost as low as $120. Transmeta will provide additional information about the Efficeon processor in the coming months, including detailed specifications and benchmark data. Dave Ditzel, the company's co-founder and chief technology officer, will make a presentation about the new processor at Microprocessor Forum in San Jose, October 13-16, 2003.

The decision to rename the processor seems to be made very recently, as Efficeon.com domain-name still does not lead us to Transmeta’s web-site, but blows our non-efficient PCs with heavy pop-up attack by a domain-registrant company.

PS. Surpisingly, the style of Efficeon logotype resembles the style of VIA Technologies. Is it a coincidence or something else?