Hoping to bring more PC-like functions to non-desktop devices, AMD took the wraps off the latest round of its Geode NX processors.
Based on the company’s x86 Athlon architecture, the new Geode NX 1250@6W
chip is designed for thin clients, printers, point of sale, information and
transaction kiosks and telecommunications networking equipment.
The Geode processor family is part of AMD’s non-PC Internet Appliance
market. Along with its Alchemy processor family, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based
semiconductor maker is targeting multimedia, access devices, computing
devices, with growth opportunities in consumer electronics and communication
segments.
The Geode NX 1250@6W chip runs at 667MHz and is supported by the AMD
Geode NX DB1500 development board. Built using the .13 micron fabrication
process, the processor also comes with alternatives such as 128 or 256KB
L1/L2 cache, a 266MHz Front-Side Bus, floating point logic, AMD’s
battery-saving PowerNow! technology, Socket A compatibility, 3DNow!, MMX and
SSE Instruction Sets.
Fanless chips have been gaining in popularity of late. Both Intel and Transmeta
have already announced
embedded versions in thin-and-light notebooks. AMD
is planning version for its new Sempron processors.
AMD said its Geode NX 1250@6W chip is supported by the AMD Geode NX
DB1500 and is compatible with previous 1.4 GHz versions such as the AMD
Geode NX 1500@6W and Geode NX 1750@14W processors.
Priced at $45 in 10,000-unit quantities, the Geode NX 1250@6W processor
is currently sampling with partners and is expected to debut in products as
early as October 2004.
“Expanding our AMD Geode product family to include the Geode NX 1250@6W
product provides extensive design options for customers needing a low-power,
high-performance processor,” Erik Salo, AMD’s director of marketing for the
Personal Connectivity Solutions Group said in a statement. “The addition of
the AMD Geode NX 1250@6W processor gives our customers more options to
innovate designs with a high-performance, fanless solution that is ideal for
any environment from the home to the enterprise.”
Built on the GeodeLink architecture design, AMD said its Geode GX
processors run at slower clock rates but maintain their performance. The
chips are also designed for the thin client, single board computers and
mobile device markets. AMD acquired
the product line and technology from National Semiconductor
last year.
