VIA Introduces VX800 Series Chipsets for Laptops, UMPCs

VIA Technologies, Inc has announced the new VIA VX800 Series laptop and ultra mobile PC chipsets, “featuring the latest video, graphics and connectivity performance in a single chip measuring just 33×33mm”.

“The VIA VX800 Series comprises two primary digital media IGP chipsets, the VIA VX800 for ultra thin and light notebooks, mini PCs and embedded devices, and the ultra low voltage VIA VX800U for the fast-expanding ultra mobile market, including the rapidly-emerging mini-note, UMPC and UMD markets,” the press release says.

The VX800 Series supports VIA C7, VIA C7-M and VIA Eden processors, and also upcoming processors based on the VIA Isaiah Architecture. The chipset has a maximum power consumption of 5 watts. On the other side, the VIA VX800U supports VIA C7-M ULV CPUs and has a maximum power draw of 3.5 watts.

VIA says the single chip design of the new chipsets generate a silicon real estate saving of over 42% over traditional twin-chip core logic implementations.

Key features of the VIA VX800 Series

High Performance 3D Graphics: The VIA Chrome9 HC3 integrated graphics core boasts full DirectX 9.0 support

Powerful Image Enhancement Technology: The VIA Chromotion video engine delivers a Hi-Def visual experience, including advanced video acceleration for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 and DiVX video formats, plus a VMR capable HD video processor.

The Warmth of HD Audio: The built-in VIA Vinyl HD Audio controller supports up to eight high definition channels with a 192kHz sampling rate, delivering a richer all-round digital media experience.

Intuitive Memory Technology: VIA’s renowned memory controller technology supports the lower power, high-bandwidth DDR2 memory modules.

Seamless Networking: Makes Wifi connectivity easy, with added support for Gigabit Ethernet networking (VIA VX800) and 10/100 Fast Ethernet.

Extended Peripheral Connectivity: Interconnects up to PCI Express (VIA VX800) for high bandwidth peripherals, plus hard drive connectivity up to SATA II as well as PATA (IDE), six USB2.0 ports, and four PCI slots.

Display Flexibiity: An integrated multi-configuration LVDS transmitter enables display connection to embedded panels, as well as CRT monitors.

Special features for the consumer electronics and embedded markets include support for the low power device interfaces of SDIO, UART and SPI, as well as for the popular memory card interfaces of SD, MMC and MS.

The VIA VX800 Series chipsets will start shipping in April 2008, according to the chip maker.

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