P.A. Semi announces 64-bit multi-core processors to compete with Intel

P.A. Semi, a Silicon Valley company started two years ago by a team of veteran chip designers, has released a new processor on Monday. The company claims their new multi-core 64-bit CPU offers a tenfold advantage over rivals' models in providing high performance with low power requirements.

The company hopes to compete with AMD and Intel by launching multi-core 64-bit processors made on a 65nm process. MSNBC compares the firm to Transmeta:

"There are two important differences between PA Semi and Transmeta," says Nathan Brookwood of the Insight 64 chip consultancy. "PA Semi is really looking more towards the embedded [chip] market than the consumer one and that's one area where Intel does not have a strong presence.

"The other thing is Transmeta always over-promised in my book on what they could do, and, in the case of PA Semi, both because of the pedigree and the approach they are taking, I give them a higher chance of succeeding."

Here's some information about the PWRficient PA6T-1682M processor:

The first PWRficient chip, the PA6T-1682M, which dissipates between just 5-13 watts, depending upon the application, is a dual-core implementation running at 2GHz with two DDR2 memory controllers, 2MB of L2 cache, and a flexible I/O subsystem that supports eight PCI Express controllers, two 10 Gigabit Ethernet XAUI controllers, and four Gigabit Ethernet SGMII controllers sharing 24 serdes lanes. It will sample in the third calendar quarter of 2006, with single-core and quad-core versions due in early and late 2007, respectively, and an eight-core version planned for 2008.

More info about the PWRficient processors can be found here at P.A. Semi. RealWorldTech has also published an article about P.A. Semi's new chips.