Marvel Flexes Tri-Core ARM Processor

Posted 09/23/2010 at 5:31am | by Paul Lilly

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This is why we love technology. While the world salivates over the concept of dual-core processors in mobile applications like smartphones and tablets, Marvell goes and introduces the first ever 1.5GHz tri-core ARM processor, the AMRADA 628.

The ARMADA 628 is a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) design with three ARM-compliant CPU cores, two of which are high performance symmetric multiprocessing cores, while the third is optimized for ultra-low power. It also boasts a bit of 3D muscle.

"Marvell has once again set the benchmark for the rest of the industry with the world's first 1.5GHz tri-core processor, delivering dual stream 1080p 3D video and 3D graphics performance with quad unified shaders for 200 million triangles per second delivered on ultra-low power, long battery life smartphones and tablets," said Weili Dai, Marvell, Co-founder and Vice President and General Manager of Marvell Semiconductor's Consumer and Computing Business Unit. "This is important because today's consumers expect robust enterprise and consumer applications delivered to the palm of their hands."

Marvell likens the tri-core architecture to that of a hybrid muscle car. The chip can "perform like a race car engine on demand, while still delivering the frugal gas mileage of a hybrid automobile." In real-world numbers, Marvell says the ARMADA 628 can churn out 10 hours of full 1080p HD video or 140 hours of music on a single charge, all the while providing 3GHz of computational horsepower.

Image Credit: Marvell