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In truth, we haven't seen a lot of adoption of Via's 64-bit Nano CPUs in products made by manufacturers other than the chipmaker itself. Recent examples of Nano-based devices from Via have included:
The Nano now makes the leap to a module-plus-baseboard format in the form of COM Express, measuring 4.92 x 3.74 inches (125 x 95mm). Like other such devices, Via's new COME8X80 sends signals to and from the outside world via its COM Express Type 2 connectors and separately available, application-specific baseboards.
The COME8X40 employs Via's VX800 northbridge/southbridge, which is cited for its DirectX9 integrated graphics and HD audio. And, like most of the devices mentioned above, it also uses Via's embedded-optimized, 64-bit Nano E-series processors, which offer virtualization capabilitiesand extended longevity support.
The E-Series is technically similar to the Nano 3000 series announced in November, which added support for Intel's SSE4 instruction set extensions, rather than the previous SSE3 set used with the standard Nano or Intel Atom. As a result of these enhancements, the E-Series can deliver up to 20 percent greater performance than previous Nanos, while using up to 20 percent less power, claims Via.
The COME8X40 is said to be available with an 800MHz Nano E-Series or with what is confusingly described on the data sheet as a 1.3+GHz Nano running at 1.6GHz. (We believe what the company means to say is that the Nano is clocked at 1.3GHz and delivers the performance of competing "brand x" CPUs clocked at 1.6GHz.)
Either way, the COME8X40 includes a SODIMM socket that accepts up to 2GB of 533/667MHz DDR2 memory, according to Via. Expansion buses include two PCI Express x4, two PCI Express x1, and three PCI (32-bit, 33MHz), the company says.
Interfaces, all via the COM Express Type 2 connectors, include up to six USB 2.0 ports, two SATA 2 ports, one IDE port, and 10/100 Ethernet, according to Via. The COME8X40 supports analog displays up to 1920 x 1440 pixels, and dual-channel LVDS displays that can be either 18- or 24-bit, the company adds.
Via pictured (above) an available baseboard for the COME8X40 called the COMEDBI. This board appears to have seven expansion slots and a multitude of real-world interfaces, possibly including 7:1 analog audio output, but no further information was provided.
Features and specifications listed by Via for the COME8X40 include:
Further information
Via did not cite pricing but said the COME8X80 is available to OEM and OEM customers now. More details may be found on the company's website, here.
