| AMD stirs Athlon technology into Geode embedded soup |
May 24, 2004
AMD, which in recent months has gained ground against Intel in the battle for the desktop, today announced the addition of a line of high-performance, low-power embedded processors to its Geode embedded x86 processor family. The new processors will be known as the "Geode NX 1500@6W" and the "Geode NX 1750@14W," reflecting a new naming convention based on relative performance and power consumption. AMD has committed to offer them a minimum of five years.
The Geode NX 1500@6W processor operates at 1GHz and the Geode NX 1750@14W operates at 1.4GHz. The two new embedded processors are essentially identical to AMD's Mobile Athlon processors, including packaging, but with tweaks to process technology and transistor selections that result in lower power consumption at reduced clock rates. Both new Geode NX processors are "100 percent socket and chipset compatible" with AMD's "Socket A" Athlon XP processors, according to an AMD spokesperson.
In short, the NX processors are the same chips as the Mobile Athlon, but with differing performance/power points. They won't take business away from AMD's Mobile Athlons, because they're too slow to be of interest in the laptop market, the spokesperson said.
In terms of market focus, AMD says it is targeting its new high-performance, low power NX processors at "high-end embedded applications" such as thin clients, high-end printers, point-of-sale systems, information and transaction kiosks, and telecommunications and networking equipment. Additionally, with its 6 Watt typical power consumption, the Geode NX 1500@6W processor is suitable for fanless applications.
"Extremely low power" Geode processors renamed
In conjunction with the addition of the two respun Athlon processors to its Geode embedded processor family, AMD is renaming the previously introduced Geode processors that are derived from its recent acquisition of National Semiconductor's Geode processor assets. Specifically, AMD is renaming the current Geode GX2 processors to "Geode GX 533@1.1W," "Geode GX 466@0.9W," and "Geode 500@1.0W."
The Geode GX 533@1.1W processor operates at 400MHz and is supported by the AMD Geode GX DB533 development board. The Geode GX 500@1.0W processor operates at 366MHz and the Geode GX 466@.9W processor operates at 333 MHz. The GX-family chips are pin-compatible.
Five year commitment
AMD says it has made agreements with chip fabrication plants to ensure that it will be able to deliver NX and GX Geode chips for a minimum of five years from their date of introduction. AMD makes most of its own chips, but needs to out-source older designs as the technology in its own plants outstrips the capability to produce older designs, it says.
Model numbering philosophy
AMD says its new model numbers are based on benchmarks developed by Synchromesh Computing. The scheme consists of the processor's family name (Geode NX or Geode GX) followed by its performance rating, followed by its power usage. Performance ratings reference performance relative to VIA's Centaur processors.
"Using the model numbers, customers can determine if they need an extremely low-power solution as offered by our AMD Geode GX line, or a high-performance embedded solution that is now addressed with our AMD Geode NX product offering," said Iain Morris, group vice president, AMD Personal Connectivity Solutions Group. "We are committed to providing long-term support to our customers who require low-power, high-performance embedded solutions with the AMD Geode Solutions product line."
AMD's embedded MIPS line
In addition to its recent acquisition of National Semiconductor's Geode processor family, AMD earlier acquired a family of MIPS architecture RISC processors from Alchemy Semiconductor.
AMD's Alchemy embedded processors, including the Au1000, Au1100, Au1500, and Au1550, compete with Intel's XScale processor family in handheld and mobile applications.
Geode development boards and chip pricing
AMD provides development boards for all its Geode embedded processors. The boards are intended to serve as "complete hardware and software" reference designs for embedded applications.
The Geode NX DB1500 development board supports both the the NX 1500@6W processor and the NX 1750@14W processor. The Geode GX DB533 development board supports the GX 533@1.1W processor, the GX 466@.9W processor and the GX 500@1.0W processor.
The Geode family processors are priced as follows (10K quantities): - Geode GX 466@0.9W - $26.50
- Geode GX 500@1.0W - $29.10
- Geode GX 533@1.1W - $32.75
- Geode NX 1500@6W - $65.00
- Geode NX 1750@14W - $55.00
The development boards are priced as follows (single units): - Geode GX DB533 - $650.00
- Geode NX DB1500 - $500.00
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed