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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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