VIA’s low-power Nano 3000 rumored to rival Intel’s Atom

Not that we didn’t already have a hunch that VIA was working up a dual-core Nano, but it seems that details are beginning to firm up just a bit. According to a new report over at China-based HKEPC, the dual-core Atom-killer will be dubbed the Nano 3000, and while it will still rely on a 65-nanometer manufacturing process, the power consumption should be much lower than existing Nano chips. Furthermore, it’ll reportedly boast SSE4 instruction support, integer / floating point enhancements and improved internal cache performance. The writeup has it that samples could begin shipping out as early as this quarter, with mass production expected to get going in Q3. So, is it safe to say this whole “netbook” thing has grown some legs, or is the Tamagotchi-like crash just around the bend?

[Via CNET]

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VIA’s low-power Nano 3000 rumored to rival Intel’s Atom originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overclocking guide shows what Intel’s Core i7 is / isn’t capable of

Oh sure, we’ve seen just how far Intel’s most potent Core i7 chip can be pushed under the most extreme conditions, but honestly, how’s that helping you? In short, it’s not. To that end, HotHardware has whipped up a useful, easy-to-digest guide on overclocking the Core i7 920, complete with benchmarks, recommendations and tips for dealing with excess heat without hooking up a liquid nitrogen tank. Interested to see how to crank a stock 920 to a level that outpaces the pricey 3.2GHz Core i7 Extreme Edition? The read link, friends — hit it.

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Overclocking guide shows what Intel’s Core i7 is / isn’t capable of originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative’s Zii actually a CES-bound processing chip

While our vivid imaginations certainly had something more invigorating than this in mind, we suppose Creative could still surprise us at CES 2009. The curious Zii website we peeked a few days back is reportedly referring to an all new processing chip, and while eipZENter isn’t being too forthcoming with details just yet, we are told that it will likely be “one of the biggest projects Creative has invested in.” If that’s just too vague for your tastes, try this: “[Zii] is completely different from the X-Fi audio chip and it will be used in a variety of upcoming products.” Alrighty then.

[Thanks, Swild]

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Creative’s Zii actually a CES-bound processing chip originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD’s Phenom II CPU goes on sale online in a curious, quiet fashion

Uh, AMD? We know most of your staffers are probably throwing back a glass of Egg Nog right about now, but you might want to get out something akin to a simple press release acknowledging the release of your dual-core Phenom II processor. For those keeping track, we’ve now seen the CPU announced via an outlet other than AMD, purchased by a normal citizen without access to AMD’s labs and now, for sale on the world wide web. Word has it that the units will start shipping on December 27th, which will probably be prior to an actual confession of their existence in the retail channel by AMD. Not that we’re complaining about the distinctly different than usual approach here, but our heads are certainly spinning.

[Via PC World]

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AMD’s Phenom II CPU goes on sale online in a curious, quiet fashion originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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