VIA Developing DirectX 11 IGP Chipset, Quad-Core x86 Processor for 2011

[btarunr]

VIA, in its recent announcement about posting a net loss of US $45 million for 1H 2010, revealed plans about future products and manufacturing process transitions with which it hopes to return to profits. These include release of dual-core VIA Nano processors based on a new manufacturing process due for released later this year, the new VN11 chipset that will embed DirectX 11 compliant integrated graphics, which it will released next year. The company also announced that it will release a new quad-core CPU in 2011, which is the company's first. VIA is only the third company that is an active license-holder of the x86 instruction set. Even as much larger x86 manufacturers such as Intel and AMD battle it out, VIA designs processors for low-power applications such as embedded industrial computers, and netbook/ULPC processors such as the VIA Nano and VIA C3.



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[mastrdrver]

Interesting.

Btw I'm pretty sure AMD, Intel, and Via are the only ones who hold that x86 patent.

 

[Fourstaff]

Interesting.

Btw I'm pretty sure AMD, Intel, and Via are the only ones who hold that x86 patent.

I think only those three develop x86 chips in commercial quantities. Patent is held by Intel I believe, licensed to AMD and VIA

 

[btarunr]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_x86_manufacturers

 

[Fourstaff]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_x86_manufacturers

Ah, yes, and all those companies which we know/care little about.

 

[_JP_]

I hope this keeps them in business, a new chipset would be nice too. The AM3/+ and the i7/5/3s could use frankenstein (budget) boards like there were for socket 775 and AM2/+. Or maybe even high end, heck for them the sky used to be the limit, then they went low power and now have profit drop.

 

[Cuzza]

VIA quad core! I'd buy that just for novelty value

 

[mastrdrver]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_x86_manufacturers

I have to question the source on that page. Seriously, it doesn't lead anywhere that references to anything saying anything about those companies and the x86 licenses.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

IMO the DX11 integrated graphics is a total waste of time for something that fits inside a small notebook/netbook or even ITC - whats the point of adding DX11 support if the chip cant play any DX11 titles Competently?

 

[koorosh]

With intel and amd entering the low power market, it's beginning of an end for via.

 

[ToTTenTranz]

IMO the DX11 integrated graphics is a total waste of time for something that fits inside a small notebook/netbook or even ITC - whats the point of adding DX11 support if the chip cant play any DX11 titles Competently?

Compute shaders (duh).

 

[TheLaughingMan]

IMO the DX11 integrated graphics is a total waste of time for something that fits inside a small notebook/netbook or even ITC - whats the point of adding DX11 support if the chip cant play any DX11 titles Competently?

Primary consumers of this line of products are.....well....stupid. Being able to put a number on a product line allows them to use it as a buzz word like 4G, Wireless N+, etc. While it will be largely pointless for most of the buyers, it will still help drive sales.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

With intel and amd entering the low power market, it's beginning of an end for via.

theyve been in the low power marker for a while already

 

[TheLaughingMan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_x86_manufacturers

After look through that article it seems that only AMD, Intel, VIA, and like 1 other company still make x86 chips. Everyone else was bought out, went under, or licenses to one of those 3.

 

[Perseid]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_x86_manufacturers

Ah, Cyrix. I had a Cyrix 686 back in the day. Worked fine too.

So how long until we see a new Korean handheld based on one of these VIA quad-cores? GP4X?

 

[wolf]

via quad core.... interesting.... *strokes chin beard*

 

[mastrdrver]

After look through that article it seems that only AMD, Intel, VIA, and like 1 other company still make x86 chips. Everyone else was bought out, went under, or licenses to one of those 3.

Problem is even though the companies that got bought had a x86 license, it doesn't get transferred to the buying company. It becomes dead basically.

 

[WarEagleAU]

honestly wikipedia is not considered a reliable source due to anyone being able to edit it. However, having said that, thanks fo rthat link because I Thought those three were the only ones as well.

Cyrix is still around? Thought they were done.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Problem is even though the companies that got bought had a x86 license, it doesn't get transferred to the buying company. It becomes dead basically.

While true, the companies that did most of the buying out were Intel, VIA, and IBM who all already had and still have patients or license to the x86 architecture.

And I thought Cyrix was bought out by VIA in the 90's?

Edit: Sold to National Semiconductors by VIA after VIA acquired them. NS stopped making CPU's and most of the engineers at Cyrix moved on.

http://www.cpu-info.com/index2.php?mainid=Cyrix

 

[Roph]

It's all very well VIA making these things (I'm for them, I really like the Nano), but they need to get these products out there more.

It's very hard to find Nano based products, whereas the market is flooded with poorly performing Atoms with rubbish IGPs. Atom + ION (Geforce 9400M) solved that a little, I guess

Put some more effort into marketing, VIA :shadedshu

 

[mastrdrver]

I don't know how well an Atom like Via production will do again AMD's Bobcat. Bobcat is going to drive Intel out of the market because they don't have anything close to Bobcat coming and Atom can't be modified enough to even meet up again Bobcat.

 

[Baum]

hah IDT i still remember my 160Mhz IDT x86 CPU good run for its money like my cyrix did^^
Via is nice as a competitor, they had nice frankenstein boards in their via itx lineup