Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: VIA Technologies | Subject: Chrome 20 Series GPU
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 November 2005
PCI Express graphics processors
S3 Graphics has launched its fourth generation DirectX 9.0 graphics processor units (GPUs), the Chrome 20 Series.
S3 Graphics has launched its fourth generation DirectX 9.0 graphics processor units (GPUs), the Chrome 20 Series, with the introduction of the Chrome S20 range of desktop graphics accelerators that combines the richer integration of Fujitsu's 90nm process technology with S3 Graphics' advanced Power Wise architecture for the most power efficient graphics in the industry The Chrome S20 series further enhances S3Graphics' signature Hi-Def visual experience, complementing the native 1080p HDTV support and widescreen display capability with Chromotion 3.0, the next generation programmable video engine boasting hardware accelerated motion compensation and WMV-HD support
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 30 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Delivering smooth playback of high definition content with ultra low CPU utilisation and power draw, the Chrome S20 series is ideal for the home theatre PC and media-centric digital living room market segments.
The first two members of the Chrome S20 Series desktop GPU family are the Chrome S27 and Chrome S25.
With a core clock of 700Mhz, Chrome S27 operates at the highest frequency of any GPU currently available, yet takes full advantage of its highly efficient design and ultra low power 90nm manufacturing to set new records for performance per watt.
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With flexible memory support up to DDR3, Chrome S27 also supports dual graphics implementations with the upcoming MultiChrome technology.
The Chrome S25 brings superb 8 pixel shader performance to middle and value mainstream segments with a class-leading balance of features, price, performance and ultra low power draw, providing a smart new alternative in these competitive markets.
With a 32bit to 128bit DDR2 memory interface, Chrome S25 introduces S3Graphics AcceleRAM technology to boost the performance of smaller memory configurations.
"The Chrome S20 series is a clear demonstration of how advanced process technology coupled with a highly efficient design can deliver true value to the discerning PC user", said Dr Ken Weng, General Manager of S3 Graphics.
"Boasting such a rich feature set and extended memory support at prices at very competitive prices, Chrome S20 clearly represents the start of the future for the new S3 Graphics".
The Chrome S20 series offers considerable flexibility in memory compatibility, including full support for DDR1, cost effective DDR2 and high speed DDR3 memory technologies, serving up a wide variety of price/performance configurations for OEMs targeting the volume mainstream desktop market place.
Reflecting the company's environmental drive, the complete range of Chrome 20 series is ROHS compliant, using lead-free wafer bumping, substrate construction, final packaging and assembly.
Lead-Free readiness makes S3 Graphics' latest products ideal for OEM and system builders planning for full ROHS compliance, which will become a requirement for systems targeted for sale by mid-next year in many global regions.
The Chrome S20 series has a high speed DirectX 9.0 graphics engine consisting of 4 full precision vertex shader units and 8 full precision pixel shader units, translating into an amazing 5.6 Billion pixel shader operations per second for Chrome S27, setting the stage for next generation applications with lengthy, complex shaders, as well as meeting the requirements for next generation operating systems incorporating complex graphical desktops.
Native support of the ultra high bandwidth PCI Express removes graphics processing throughput bottlenecks and builds in plenty of headroom for tomorrow's even more demanding graphics-intensive applications.
Boasting powerful new video processing capabilities, such as hardware acceleration motion compensation, in-loop filtering and border extension for WMV-HD, the Chrome S20 series offers the distinctive rich Hi-Def visual experience.
S3 Graphics' next generation Chromotion 3.0 is at the heart of Chrome 20 series Hi-Def media capabilities.
Providing acceleration for all leading video standards, powerful video scaling for the burgeoning widescreen digital media experience and a host of programmable creative and artistic effects, the Chrome S27 is fully compatible with Microsoft's Media centre Edition to ensure an unbeatable entertainment experience.
Power consumption is becoming a critical parameter in the PC world, as usage continues to increase in the home for game play, digital photography, media playback/recording and home office and communications, both in terms of spiralling power costs as well as the noise pollution that is becoming increasingly unacceptable, especially in living room systems.
Developed utilising the fourth generation of S3 Graphics' unique Power Wise architecture, the Chrome S20 series features advanced power management features usually found only in mobile solutions, such as multi-domain dynamic clock gating.
This efficient and power smart design, coupled with Fujitsu's advanced 90nm process technology has enabled the Chrome 20 series to set new standards in desktop power/performance without compromising on features, and allows completely silent fanless add-in cards.
The different skus of the new Chrome S20 series introduce two key technologies designed specifically to offer new value to end-users: MultiChrome - Chrome S27 introduces S3 Graphics MultiChrome, an open-platform and cable free multi-graphics acceleration technology.
MultiChrome will enable two or more Chrome S27 cards or GPUs to operate together to provide additional game acceleration on any motherboard with suitable PCIe slots, and its completely open, nonpropriety demonstrated support on multiple vendor chipset solutions is another industry first for the Chrome S27 product.
AcceleRAM - S3 Graphics AcceleRAM technology featured in Chrome S25 enables big memory performance while leveraging the lower cost structure of reduced onboard memory.
AcceleRAM allows Chrome S25 to operate with 32bit or 64bit wide memory interfaces with local frame buffers consisting of just one or more memory chips.
AcceleRAM boards with Chrome S25 offer a smart upgrade path for cost sensitive segments.
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