SPCR

A processor that only dissipates 0.9 watts!!!! Yeah, it's 500MHz, but I'm running an old Intel PIII 600MHz machine that can run iTunes and the internet just fine, and that proc dissipates more like 50-60W. I like where AMD is going with this...

Go AMD go!

So what exactly are Geodes? I know the architecture is K7, but are they based on a 90nm process or extremely low-voltage 130nm process? I'd also assume it has tweaks on the transistor level similar to those of Turion64 to reduce power consumption even further.

Get more information straight from AMD's web site

It's sort of like VIA's EPIA on Valium. Useful for embedded apps or simple servers. Not too useful for desktop apps.

I have one question that I hope that you can answer (I did not find the answer:( at AMD) , what socket is the GEODE NX compatible with ??


The NX 1400 looks like a winner in a Media center

Last we talked about this (maybe 6 months ago), there was one thing I thought AMD did that was sneaky:

Their performance ratings for the Geode were based on a completely different set of benchmarks vs their "normal" desktop chips. In essence the geode's performance rating was equivalent to the megahertz of the competing Via low power chip (which itself is roughly analagous to 1/2 to 3/4 the speed of a PIII at same clocks)...

I'll have to dig through AMD's website to see if this is still true.

Here's the direct link to how AMD's performance rating for the Geode is calculated:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/ConnectivitySo ... 72,00.html

since this area of computing is less-well covered it'll a bit hard to find equivalent benchmarks for the via's or any other low-power cpu.

BTW,
The geode sounds like a great low-power processor for the same tasks the low-powered via's are good for.

Via, on the other hand is no slouch: they have a nice long track record and community to fall back on, and they also have hardware assisted mpeg playback capabilities in their chipsets.

This arena is interesting because their is no Intel in this space and it is for highly specific uses.

I hope I can go out and buy this cpu. Tyan was suppose to release a matx board to support this cpu.
Thanks

thanks lenny, I meant to post that link but it was late and my brain had apparently stopped working. This does look promising for a generic box; you wouldn't even need a heatsink, much less a fan. Get some onboard graphics and you're good to go.

ruprag wrote:I have one question that I hope that you can answer (I did not find the answer:( at AMD) , what socket is the GEODE NX compatible with ??

According to this it is compatible with Socket A. Draws 6W to 14W.

I have no idea about GX and LX. There's a databook you can download from AMD if you're curious enough. I'm not - I figure boards will come with the processor, like the VIA EPIAs.

lenny wrote:According to this it is compatible with Socket A. Draws 6W to 14W.

The online photos definately do not show a Socket A compatible chip. There are pins in the middle and too few along the outside.

Is that a pinless chip, or a trick of the camera?

StarfishChris wrote:Is that a pinless chip, or a trick of the camera?

Definitely not pinless. Did you click for a larger view? The thumbnail on that page is a little deceiving.

Chang wrote:

lenny wrote:According to this it is compatible with Socket A. Draws 6W to 14W.

The online photos definately do not show a Socket A compatible chip. There are pins in the middle and too few along the outside.

That's a photo of the LX.

There are (at least?) 3 different versions. LX, GX and NX. The NX is the one ruprag asked about, and the one that is compatible with Socket A.

Thank you for the answer.

Anyone see the dual VIA Eden processor setup, eh?

Its FANLESS! in claim, not even through modification and trickery does one have to figure it out. As I understand, the eden is as powerful as a P3 tualitin in some aspects I hear... I have a tualatin 1.2 ghz, it ran everything realy realy well. I even played doom3 in a low setting wihtout choppy graphics on it.

So... a dual of these badboy less than a watt Via's would, I would hope, outclass the geode. They havea cn400 chipset that has enhanced mpeg and multimedia things on it as well, it could be a nice xp pro system.

I thought the geode was a joke to AMD and to most people? I hear its dreadful.

Green Shoes wrote:

StarfishChris wrote:Is that a pinless chip, or a trick of the camera?

Definitely not pinless. Did you click for a larger view? The thumbnail on that page is a little deceiving.

Uh sure looks like the exact same package as a surface mounted chipset to me. 4mb picture even shows the solder ball points or whatever. No pins.

To understand the thinking behing the Geode processor line it's somewhat important to know where the history of the product line.

The somewhat humble beginnings were with Cyrix that tried to develop a very low-cost all-integrated solution for laptops about 8 years ago. It was called MediaGX and it's performance was less than stellar. Two years forward and Cyrix was sold to VIA after which the Geode design was controlled by National Semiconductors. National developed the chip some more and it became very popular in different embedded solutions where x86 compatibility was needed.

One example would be CPU boards using the PC/104 standard that are widely used in industrial and mobile applications where extremely low heat output is needed. Example: http://www.eurotech.fi/products/CPU-1232.html. The performance is not enough for modern operating systems with fancy GUI's but you can run Win2K on a GX1. It's just not very snappy... Win98 and lightweight Linux WM's work nicely and the power consumption is really low. No fans here

At some point National lost interest in Geode and sold the design and the people working on it to AMD. AMD still has the GX1 available but they have also done a few other types of Geodes. PC/104(Plus) CPU boards are currently moving toward ULV Celerons and Pentium-M's but perhaps some of the new Geodes will be comparably usable.

So, to put some of this together the difference between Geodes and VIA's offerings is that the Geodes are meant primarily for designers to put into consumer devices whereas VIA is offering C3's and Edens straight to consumers as x86 computers.


* I work for Eurotech.

so are any of the Socket A geodes available to actually buy anywhere?

Will I be able to go out and buy one of these cpus.
Thanks

0.9 W yikes, sounds like quite an achievement

hey thanks for the info mellon

mb2 wrote:so are any of the Socket A geodes available to actually buy anywhere?

...i'm guessing no then?

Some additional background:

Cyrix was acquired by NSC. NSC expanded the development of Cyrix's x86 core to go for system on a chip designs (using the Geode name) for embedded apps where speed didn't matter, but x86 compatibility, low power/fanless apps were compelling. Core/northbridge/southbridge all in one chip. Typical systems were things like thin client computing.

They sold the x86 core group to via and then later gave up on the x86 system on a chip stuff and sold Geode to AMD. Couldn't tell you where things stand now with AMD's performance.

ex- NSC guy

scruzbeachbum wrote:Cyrix was acquired by NSC.

That would be National Semiconductor, for those who do not recognize the initials "NSC".

Does anyone realize that compared to an Eden or even old c3 chip from via, these things are like slow and cant handle multi processing well?

I wouldnt consider a 500mhz geode on anything. I bet it wouldnt even keep up with 100 mbit network and crap out on someone. its meant to tabulate cash registers and for alarm companies.....

go Via is my suggestion.... unless in the last 6 months geode completely changed and isnt a geode anymore. It bombed horribly a few years ago.

2x eden system, now theres a severely low wattage setup that at idle is less han a watt per proc. shrugs. (just costs a buttload if you use it just for a 2ndary fun machine)

does geode nx have powernow , i.e. multiplier unlocked?

anyway more pics [source]

Is it possible to buy a Geode from somewhere.
Thanks

Apparently the first Geode based PCs are already hittting the market.

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/akiba/ho ... sizka.html

This is very impressive : it is barely bigger than a mouse.
Absolutely nothing to envy to the Mac Mini.

This could change the face of silent computing / HTPC.

...and it looks like it's here, as well.

Ok so NX is socket A? Is there a possibility of doing this:
http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/vi ... d=393&pg=2

You know so I could have a Dual Fanless system for multitasking in my living room?