Via Nano Processes Cryptography Like Few Others

Even with a flashy Core 2 Quad QX9770, you will not come close to what the Via Nano can crunch in terms of cryptography.

Via Technologies has shown that the cryptographic performance of its Via Nano processor is the most power efficient on the market - due to its dedicated VIA PadLock Security Engine, a suite of security tools integrated directly into the die.

Results from using the newest release of the SiSoftware Sandra 2009 diagnostic utility showed the Nano hitting upwards of 765 MB/s in cryptographic tests – that’s 93 percent faster than the Intel Core 2 Quad QX9770 processor. It is also worth mentioning that the Nano used 5 percent of the power the Core 2 Quad did. The Core 2 Quad was able to tackle the same tests at only 396 MB/s.

The PadLock engine enables secure computing by adding extra functions to the processor which gives programmers an entire set of tools which, when used, can make data unreadable to unauthorized users (encryption) – It can also prevent attacks from hackers or worms.

Quoting Chief Technology officer at SiSoftware, Adrian Silasi : “Cryptography has become an important part of our digital life : it allows us to conduct safe transactions online, certify programs and services, keep our data secure and much more. The speed at which cryptographic operations (encryption, decryption, hashing, signing) can be performed is thus very much important.”

“Fast, power efficient and safe data encryption are quickly becoming a top concern of mobile PC users. Data protection and identity theft for lost and stolen devices are issues that are compounded by the growth of the mobile computing market, key areas where the VIA Nano processor can significantly help protect users data,” said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing for Via Technologies.