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I have recently been writing articles on Nvidia’s new processor range the Tegra and CSX. I was also going to investigate where this processor will be used, how will they compare to Intel’s counter-part the Atom.
I will be concentrating on the Tegra model processors, Nvidia are using these tiny processors for small laptops and notebooks.  As we are aware the processor can render high definition video but can also handle graphically heavy games.

Now I can release some information on what the processor is used for (Thank You Computex). At Computex Nvidia are set to release more details on the Tegra 650 and 600 series processors. The processors are aimed at light, portable based hardware which can be fitted with a 12” screen, a keyboard, high-speed wireless and a joy pad/Stick port (USB ?).

Nvidia has dubbed the devices Mobile Internet Devices ‘Mids’ not MIDI!. Other vendors have called the miniature laptops ‘netbooks’ which is the inherited new branded name for mobile hardware. If Intel and Nvidia never started battle would the so called netbook be created? I know Apple started the miniature laptop scene but I don’t see their products as direct competition, remember we are talking budget based laptops here!

One query I must highlight is Intel and Nvidia processors boast full 1080p running at 25/ 60 fps. When running these modes how will the 12” display justify the display quality?  Nvidia could be focusing some of their processors into other products. It’s not over yet! Nvidia could have other products in mind. Remember Nvidia have different series of processors So the Tegra 650 may be used in a multimedia intensive operations.

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In my previous post on Nvidia’s Processors I looked into the general capabilities of the two processors. Today I will be giving more emphasis into the Nvidia Tegra Processor. As we already know, the processor renders both 720p and 1080p high definition signals. The Tegra processor is also known for good power consumption considering the processor will run 720p HD for 26 hours compared to Intels 1 hour.

The Tegra 650 Specs:

• Processing ARM11 MPCore @ 800Mhz,16/32-bit LP-DDR NAND Flash support
• Audio/ Video Processing:1080p H.264 decode, 720p H.264 encode
  Supports multi-standard audio formats, including AAC, AMR, WMA and MP3. JPEG encode and decode acceleration
• Imaging Up to 12 megapixel camera sensor support, Integrated ISP, Advanced imaging features
• True dual-display support
  Maximum display resolutions supports:
  - 1080p (1920×1080) HDMI 1.3
  - WSXGA+ (1680×1050) LCD
  - SXGA (1280×1024) CRT
  - NTSC/PAL TV output

Tegra 600

• Processor ARM11 MPCore @ 700Mhz, 16/32-bit LP-DDR, NAND Flash support
• Audo/ Video Processing 720p H.264 and VC-1/WMV9 decode, 720p H.264 encode, Supports multi-standard audio formats, including AAC, AMR, WMA and MP3, JPEG encode and decode acceleration
• Imaging Up to 12 megapixel camera sensor support, Integrated ISP, Advanced imaging features
• True dual-display support
  Maximum display resolutions supports:
  - 720p (1280×720) HDMI 1.3
  - SXGA (1280×1024) LCD
  - SXGA (1280×1024) CRT
  - NTSC/PAL TV output

Even though the processor seems impressive Intel’s Atom processor uses the x86 architecture and so will be used on multiple of platforms within a mobile scope. The processor used is a ARM11 32 bit RISC which is usually used in mobile phone hardware. I’m still interested in where this processor will be used compared to Intels version.

I would put the Atom against the Tegra processor as such but you could say the Nvidia processor will be great for HD video but if Intel’s Atom processor can perform around the same level then Nvidia sales could be effected.

On the other hand, I will be interested in seeing what Nvidia will offer in the future. The Head man at Nvidia said the processor was created from the bottom up. The processor has no limit to its future because the architecture is new.

Hopefully I will have much more to talk about regarding the latest technology’s. Now that Intel and Nvidia are at war over more than GPUS where will they venture next?

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I know I keep posting about Nvidia and Intel but the battle is still strong between both vendors. Nvidia will be releasing two actual CPU’s (Central Processing Units). As I’m aware Nvidia primary concern has always been graphics based hardware, where did the move to main processing start?

In June Nvidia will be releasing the Tegra APX 2500 and the CSX 600/650. The APX chip is 144mm2 in size. The processor can encode in 720p and decode at 14Mbps not bad for a mobile based processor consider it can push out D ready based specifications.

The CSX 600/650 the big brother of the Tegra is aimed at larger machines such as handhelds and laptops. The chip had 256k of L2 Cache and runs at 700mhz and 800mhz for the 650. This processor will support 1080p but only at a bottle-necked 24FPS. The processor has hard disk compatibility and can run under 3watts of power, the mobile device trend!

Considering Intel Atom processor run between 800mhz to 1.8Ghz why create these processor knowing the competition has a faster and more technological product? Could this be Nvidia’s way of taking the market, well some of it? I really cannot wait until we see some movement on Tegra APX and the CSX. Who will be their main consumer?

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Its yet another Friday afternoon, the only thing keeping me going now is the bank holiday weekend! Over the last week I built a AM2 + based system using ATI’s chipset along with Nvidias Graphics. I’ve had many issues regarding this specification. I will be posting an article regarding the issues so users can help find fixes to similar problems! So Keep Visiting!

Over the past week I’ve seen some changes in hardware technology, I havn’t come across any news regarding Intels Larrabee and Nehalem architecture. But were I’m currently seeing movement is within the Graphics market of the main players ATI and Nvidia.

As we are all aware Nvidia have released their 9000 series cards including the GX2 back in the first quarter of 08. ATI are releasing their new graphics series soon and Nvidia had to counter act this move. You can read my last article ATI Radeon vs Nvidia GT200 for more information on the two manufacturers.

If any viewers would like an article mentioned or have any ideas for future posts then please leave a comment.

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The first online retailer to release Intel’s Atom powered motherboards was announced today. The UK based firm Tranquil PC are selling the units ten pounds cheaper than the estimated retail price. The company have stated that the boards will start shipping within the first week of June.

The Intel D945GCLF mini-itx main board yes ITX not ATX. The system uses the 1.6 GHz Atom 230 processor. The impressive package can run Vista Home Media Center which in my opinion must be a fairy good system to tackle to-days multimedia requirements.

Intel have decided to adopt their latest 45nm procedure, the processor as mentioned before runs at 1.6Ghz uses 512Kb of L2 Cache, now consider a single core AMD/ Intel processor this little machine is on par with my old 3200XP machine, actually this board is faster! The Motherboard uses the Intel 945GC/ ICH7 Intel Chipset. This means the little machine has a in-built 10/100 LAN,PCI, SATA2 (3GB/s) and DDR2 533/ 667 Mhz memory.

Did I mention the motherboard is only 17cm by 17cm. For such a little package its a brilliant starter P.C but the system is so robust that the system could even be used as a bare-bone web server.

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I’m un-aware where Fusion actually sits within the hardware community but AMD has an interesting future ahead of them. Apparently The Director of Sales and Marketing at AMD ATi stated that the next-generation architecture of their C.P.U will change dramatically.

AMD are currently behind in the Processing race with Intel. I imagine Intel is already heading onto the 32nm fabrication running 8 core processors the Nehlem if I remember correctly. Currently AMD are not making a stand within the market and I imagine this is the next step.

AMD Fusion is the name for their future architecture which has arisen due to the merge between AMD and ATi. The processor code named ‘bulldozer/ bobcat’ will combine general computer processing as well as 3D geometry/ Physics processing. At first glance this is what I though Intel intended for their Larrabee product but I was mistaken. The design is actually ingenious! I mentioned in a previous post the basis of computer architecture and how the ideal design should be used viewed collision of the top players the post also covers my initial thought of Larrabee!
AMD are moving to a modular core design which is called M-Space. The next generation architecture is designed so cores can be combined to increase performance for single threaded tasks and then revert back into multi-core mode obviously for multi threaded software such as gaming environments. The architecture is so unique that the k8 architecture used for the majority of AMD processors will be obsolete.

AMD seem to be on the right track here with their intended architecture. Will they be able to get the fund needed to research and develop their product? Are AMD already in the process of building these processors to take Intel within the first quarters of 2009? It’s along wait but save up for the new-year, I’ve got a good feeling about up-coming products!

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Cray has decided to develop its future HPC around Intel’s silicon. This has become a problem for AMD. Cray did in fact have fabrications from AMD which included XT3, XT4 and XT5. Unfortunately for AMD the organisation was hoping that Cray would strike a 5 year deal with the company securing their current status in the market. Cray have now made a 5 year deal with Intel for HPC which is a massive blow for AMD.

Crays development has been centred round building custom interconnects supporting multiple AMD chips through hypertransport (AMD interconnect). Intel has a rival technology called quickpath possible for their new Larrabee and Nehalem products.

Cray are hoping to combine their efforts. Cray will be using Intels Quickpath along with their own high-bandwidth memory subsystems. They are hoping this will give them a significant leap forward in high performance computational tasks. The result? an exaflop! One quadrillion operations a second, I’ve only heard of TeraFlops!

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I’ve always been interested in Apples stand in their product architecture, when Apple decided to make the move to the x86 platform openning new leases to Linux based OS not to mention being able to run windows. Any way moving back to the topic!

Apple have bought the Chip manufacturer PA Semi. On behalf of Apple they current develop low-power processors for their PowerPC architecture. Apple have used the firm for previous products such as the PowerBook and Power Mac.

As you are all aware Apple have used Intel Processors for their current x86 architecture systems. Apple have decided to use Intels Atom microprocessors for their future IPhone release, the iPhone currently uses the ARM-base microprocessor. The ARM-base based iPhone owned by StrongARM have been integrated into Intels organisation so the move to the x86 architecture is appropriate.

The migration to the new architecture ‘x86′ is problematic. There are many advantages of moving to the architecture from a developers point of view, create once and run forever, using the Atom based processor! compare this to the ARM processor, it has been created by different manufacturers causing incompatible software between versions, no future/ backward compatibility, in conclusion causing entirely separate versions of applications and Operating Systems. The consumer must also note that the architecture will run on any desktop and laptop system, well the majority, x86 based.

With the Apple buy out of PA, Apple has now said in their future specification of products they will influence PA’s future product base.

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The University of Manchester (My Home City) have managed to carve transistors using the material Graphene one atom by 10 atoms in size.

Graphine is a one atom thick sheet which consists of a densely packed honeycomb crystal lattice. In basic terms under a microscope it is said to look like chicken wire! Simple.

By using this material they used a technique by chopping the honeycomb shaped material into quantun dots

“A quantum dot is a semiconductor whose excitons are confined in all three spatial dimensions. As a result, they have properties that are between those of bulk semiconductors and those of discrete molecules”

This gave a switchable conductivity which gave the graphene technique its transiting properties. By using this technique has Moore’s law been shattered? Will this process decrease the amount of transistors needed in microprocessing?

“Moore’s Law describes an important trend in the history of computer hardware: that the number of transistors that can be inexpensively placed on an integrated circuit is increasing exponentially, doubling approximately every two years. The observation was first made by Intel co-founder Gordon E. Moore in a 1965 paper.The trend has continued for more than half a century and is not expected to stop for another decade at least and perhaps much longer.”

There are other techniques like the graphene implementation but the transistor run at such high temperatures a extreme method of using volatile gases for cooling has to be used.

The advantage of Graphene allows the transistors to work within room temperatures. The technique is so new and in prototype form that there is no current industrial production for the technology. Only time can tell the fait of Moore’s Law and the current transistor implementations.

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