NVIDIA Kal-El official as first quad-core mobile chip

NVIDIA logo NVIDIA tonight unveiled Kal-El, a chip it claims is the first quad-core mobile processor. Likely to be called the Tegra 3, its two extra processor cores plus a 12-core graphics engine help it get into greater-than-HD resolutions in mobile. The system on a chip with the Superman-inspired name can smoothly play 1440p (2560x1440) video and has enough power to drive a Retina Display-like 300DPI image on a 10-inch tablet.

The overall performance should be roughly double that of a Tegra 2 in pure processing, reflecting the sheer number of cores, but three times faster for visuals. NVIDIA went so far as to claim that it was catching up to notebook processors and could outperform an old but still capable 2GHz Core 2 Duo T7200 in some areas.

Despite the extra hardware, NVIDIA claimed Kal-El was more efficient and would use less power when optimized. A tablet with an unnamed capacity could handle 12 hours of regular HD video.

Production should start in August, although NVIDIA hasn't named customers. It may be the choice for major tablet designers such as LG and Samsung, many of whom have had to use it as the reference chip for Android 3.0. NVIDIA has a long-term roadmap as well and is using "real superhero" codenames for the rest of the Tegra updates, starting with Wayne in 2012, Logan in 2013 and Stark in 2014. Stark would draw even with a Core 2 Duo in performance.

The upgrade sets a high competition watermark for current tablet market leader Apple, which may go dual-core in the short term but whose ability to keep up isn't known. Rumors have circulated of a possible third iPad in fall that could be Apple's opportunity to jump to quad-core on its own.

Source: Electronista

Tags: ARM, NVIDIA

Comments
Add comment

Your name:
Sign in with:
or
Your comment:


Enter code:

E-mail (not required)
E-mail will not be disclosed to the third party


Last news

 
Galaxy Note10 really is built around a 6.7-inch display
 
You may still be able to download your content
 
Facebook, Messenger and Instagram are all going away
 
Minimize apps to a floating, always-on-top bubble
 
Japan Display has been providing LCDs for the iPhone XR, the only LCD model in Apple’s 2018 line-up
 
The 2001 operating system has reached its lowest share level
 
The entire TSMC 5nm design infrastructure is available now from TSMC
 
The smartphone uses a Snapdragon 660 processor running Android 9 Pie
The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Review
The evolution of the successful smartphone, now with a waterproof body and USB Type-C
February 7, 2017 / 2
Samsung Galaxy TabPro S - a tablet with the Windows-keyboard
The first Windows-tablet with the 12-inch display Super AMOLED
June 7, 2016 /
Keyboards for iOS
Ten iOS keyboards review
July 18, 2015 /
Samsung E1200 Mobile Phone Review
A cheap phone with a good screen
March 8, 2015 / 4
Creative Sound Blaster Z sound card review
Good sound for those who are not satisfied with the onboard solution
September 25, 2014 / 2
Samsung Galaxy Gear: Smartwatch at High Price
The first smartwatch from Samsung - almost a smartphone with a small body
December 19, 2013 /
 
 

News Archive

 
 
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      




Poll

Do you use microSD card with your phone?
or leave your own version in comments (16)