VIA Reveals New Nano X2 Dual-Core Processor

VIA's new dual-core processor is aimed at notebooks, desktops and all-in-ones.

Tuesday VIA Technologies announced the VIA Nano X2, a new dual-core processor based on a 40nm fabrication process and VIA's 64-bit "Isaiah" architecture. The new processor is geared for mainstream PC markets including desktops, notebooks and all-in-one solutions, signaling a renewed effort to take on Intel and AMD in the mainstream sector.

"The VIA Nano X2 processor arrives at a time when software architectures are now optimized to for multi-thread computing," commented Richard Brown, VP International Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "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."

According to the company, the new VIA Nano X2 processor features two out-of-order x86 cores, delivering up to double the performance on multi-thread optimized applications. The new CPU also come packed with SSE4, native support for 64-bit operating systems, VT CPU virtualization technology, and VIA's PadLock hardware security feature. The new chip is also pin-to-pin compatible with previous CPUs including the VIA Nano, VIA C7, VIA C7-M and VIA Eden.

VIA said that samples of its new Nano X2 processors are currently available for OEMs and motherboard vendors. Systems featuring the new processors are expected to arrive sometime in Q1 2011.