CPU

Although Samsung Electronics was expected to unveil its first 64-bit ARMv8-compatible application processors at the Mobile World Congress 2014, so far the firm has only introduced two new Exynos 5-series system-on-chips. The processors offer increased performance amid optimized power consumption and up-to-date feature-set. The new high-end Exynos Octa 5422 is …

Qualcomm this week introduced its new performance-mainstream Snapdragon 600-series system-on-chips for smartphones and tablets. The new SoCs feature ARMv8 64-bit processing technology, 4G/LTE connectivity as well as new-generation Adreno graphics. The new chips will be used inside devices due late this year. Qualcomm Snapdragon 610, 615 application processors integrate four …

Intel Corp. on Monday introduced its new Atom Z3400-series system-on-chip code-named “Merrifield” designed for smartphones and tablets. The new application processor is powered by the latest low-power Silvermont micro-architecture, features Imagination Technologies PowerVR 6-series “Rogue” graphics and integrates a host of promising technologies. Intel Atom Z3400-series “Merrifield” SoC features two …

At the Mobile World Congress 2014 next week Samsung Electronics plans to reveal its all-new system-on-chip for smartphones and tablets called Exynos Infinity. The new application processor will likely power Samsung’s next flagship smartphone – the Galaxy S5 – which will also be launched at the MWC 2014. Samsung confirmed …

Historically, companies like Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices designed microprocessors and then software developers developed applications that took advantage of those chips. According to the head of Intel, that pattern was changed several years ago and now, before designing a new central processing unit, the world’s largest chipmaker first …

Intel Corp. on Wednesday unveiled its new family of Xeon E7 processors for enterprise-class servers that brings unprecedented compute performance and introduces new reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features never-before-seen on Xeon products. The new central processing units are designed for up to 32-socket servers and will power various machines …

Less than two months after formal announcement, Qualcomm said it would not release its Snapdragon 802 application processor for ultra-high-definition smart TVs on the market because of lower than expected demand. It is unknown whether the company has not managed to win a particular contract with a TV maker, or …

Even though Nvidia Corp. introduced its Tegra 4i system-on-chip with integrated baseband capabilities more than a year ago, the first devices based on the SoC will be announced sometimes this April, according to the company. Perhaps, some of the upcoming products will be demonstrated later this month at the Mobile …

At the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) conference this week, Intel Corp. revealed the first details about its next-generation processor for enterprise-servers code-named Ivytown. The new chip will pack 15 cores and will feature an all-new floor plan and internal interconnections. The next generation enterprise Xeon server processor has 15 …

ARM Holdings, a leading developer of microprocessor technologies for mobile and low-power devices, on Tuesday introduced its new general-purpose core designed for entry-level and mainstream devices based on Google Android operating system in 2015 and beyond. In addition, ARM revealed its new cost-optimized Mali-T720 graphics processing unit. ARM Cortex-A17 processor …

IBM has reportedly started to search for a buyer for its semiconductor manufacturing business. While the move itself seems like a milestone for the whole industry, the potential transaction will not have a huge impact on the market since IBM is not a leading maker of chips. Moreover, chips today …

With companies like Sony struggling badly in the consumer electronics market, it's interesting to see that one area where the CEO does not want to back away from is 4K TVs. As 3D interest cools (awaiting the next instalment in the Cameron blockbusting Avatar series for renewed energy), 4K looks …

Foxconn Group, the world’s largest contract manufacturer of electronics, is set to take over Socle Technology, a developer of system-on-chip solutions. The buyout will bring additional capabilities to the holding also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry and will help it to gain more customers and diversify its business. Socle …

Advanced Micro Devices has released additional details regarding the first server-class AMD Opteron A1100 microprocessor code-named “Seattle” based on ARMv8 micro-architecture. In addition, the company said that it would begin to send the chips to software developers to help programmers to tune their apps to 64-bit ARM technology already this …

Qualcomm, the world’s largest developer of application processors for mobile devices, will not be the first chip designer to reveal a 64-bit ARM application processor, but what it reportedly plans to offer (if the unofficial information is accurate) will probably outshine everything that has been introduced so far. Qualcomm is …

Advanced Micro Devices on Wednesday introduced two new server-class Opteron central processing units (CPUs) based on the code-named “Warsaw” design. The new chips boast slightly better power efficiency compared to predecessors, but feature similar performance and a set of technologies compared to existing code-named “Abu Dhabi” multi-core processors. Initially, there …

Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday reported its financial results for the fourth quarter as well as for the while fiscal year 2013. Thanks to sales of chips for video game consoles, such as Microsoft Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4, the company managed to return to profitability and boost its …

Intel's Haswell line of CPUs has been out for a while now, but unlike previous generations of Intel chips that blew away the competition (it's been a long time since AMD really nipped at Intel's heels) Haswell didn't make such a big splash. It wasn't because of its default performance …

Although AMD’s new Opteron microprocessors code-named “Warsaw” have not been announced yet, select online stores are already taking pre-orders on the new chips. As it appears, the new multi-core central processing units s for high-end servers will not be too expensive, despite their improvements over existing products. AMD Opteron 6300-series …

Intel Corp. plans to cut its workforce this year to reduce its costs and realign its personnel to better meet the company’s business needs as well as market requirements. The reduction of headcount will also help Intel to invest more into growing segments of the market, such as ultra-mobile devices, …

Contemporary multi-core AMD Opteron microprocessors for high-end servers utilize multi-chip-module (MCM) technology that places two six-/eight-core dies onto the same piece of substrate to create 12-core or 16-core solutions. However, a new document from AMD suggests that the chip designer is working on “native” 16-core processors with all cores on …

AMD’s code-named “Llano” accelerated processing unit took around four years to develop and suffered from a lot teething problems. Market success of the “Llano” was moderate to say at least, but troubles with the chips caused massive losses for AMD. Nonetheless, it looks like AMD will have to suffer because …

Intel Corp. reiterated plans to start volume production of its next-generation microprocessors code-named “Broadwell” using 14nm process technology this quarter. Manufacturing yields of the chips have improved, according to the company. Commercial introduction of the new chips is expected in the second half of the year. Intel’s code-named “Broadwell” central …

Intel Corp. on Thursday revealed its financial results for the year 2013. The company's total sales were down 1% compared to the previous year due to soft demand for PCs. At the same time, the company sold more server-class hardware than in the previous year. The company reported full-year revenue …

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on Thursday said it had begun mass production of chips using 20nm process technology ahead of its own schedule. The new fabrication process will help fabless chip designers (e.g., AMD, Nvidia, Qualcomm, etc.) to create processors with higher transistor count, lower power consumption and improved performance. …

Intel Corp. said it had decided to postpone equipment move-in at its fab 42 cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing facility. The move, which is aimed to improve utilisation of capital at the world’s largest maker of microprocessors, will leave the company without one fab capable of making next-generation chips using 14nm manufacturing …

Although the press mostly reports about high-end chip solutions designed for leading-edge electronics and made using state-of-the-art process technologies, the market continues to need very low-cost products that are far from being technological breakthroughs. On Tuesday ARM Holdings and United Microelectronics Corp. announced partnership to enable such devices. ARM has …

Intel Corp. may speed up introduction of its next-generation microprocessors based on the code-named “Broadwell” micro-architecture, according to sources with knowledge of the chip giant’s plans. Previously it was expected that the “Broadwell” line of chips will be released sometime in Q4 of 2014. It is now planned that some …

Intel Corp. is speedily transitioning its lineup of desktop central processing units (CPUs) to the “Haswell” micro-architecture. Broader availability of newer chips across various price segments ultimately makes Intel’s desktop microprocessor family more competitive against its arch-rival AMD. According to sources familiar with Intel’s plans, the share of desktop processors …

At the Consumer Electronics Show the world’s largest maker of microprocessors – Intel Corp. – demonstrated what looks to be the world’s smallest personal computer based on an x86 microprocessor. Intel Edison is a new Quark-based computer with built-in wireless connectivity housed in a Secure Digital card form-factor. Intel Edison …