At Last, VIA rolls out Dual-core Microprocessor

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. Featuring two x86 cores, the VIA Nano X2 processor delivers up to double the performance on multi-thread optimized applications. Based on a 40-nm process, the device is built using its 64-bit, superscalar ''Isaiah'' architecture.

''Isaiah'' is also the architecture used for Via's single-core processors. It features a 64-bit speculative, out-of-order architecture. It also incorporates a front-side bus starting at 800-MHz.

The duo-core device also comes with SSE4, native 64-bit support, VT CPU virtualization technology and so-called 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.

VIA Nano X2 processors are targeted for a range of PC products that include desktop, all-in-one and mobile notebook designs.

"The VIA Nano X2 processor arrives at a time when software architectures are now optimized to for multi-thread computing," said Richard Brown, vice president of international marketing for Taipei-based VIA, in a statement. ''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."

VIA Nano X2 processors samples are currently available for OEMs and motherboard vendors, with systems featuring the processors expected to arrive in Q1 2011.