NVIDIA launches Tegra 3 ARM-based processor

On November 8, NVidia launched the Tegra 3 quad-core mobile processor. The processor uses a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU core and operates at up to 1.3GHz in quad-core mode and 1.4GHz in a special low power single-core mode. It also includes an ultra-low power (ULP) NVidia GeForce GPU, and offers a range of on-chip media processing features.

The CPU uses a new technology known as Variable Symmetric Multiprocessing (vSMP), which includes a 5th "companion" core, designed for low power processing tasks. The 4 main cores are designed for high performance processing, and consume less power than a typical dual-core processor. There is 1 MB of level 2 cache, supporting 32KB of instruction and data caches for each core.

While carrying out high-performance tasks, such as web browsing, multitasking and gaming, Tegra 3 shuts down the companion core and uses the 4 main, performance tuned cores. At other times, when less power is needed, such as during media playback or when performing background tasks, the main cores are shut down, and the companion core is used.

The graphics core uses a 12-core NVidia GeForce GPU, with a wide range of hardware rendering capabilities. It offers more realism than previous offerings, with dynamic lighting, physical effects, high resolution environments and 3D stereo. It also offers triple the graphics performance of the previous Tegra 2 processors. Combined with vSMP. this adds up to a reduction in power of up to 61% compared to Tegra 2, which can add up to a massive 12 hours battery life during HD video playback.

Flash Player v11, HTML5 and WebGL are all built in, providing faster web browsing, alongside an optimized Javascript engine. Fast multitasking provides seamless switching between many common tasks, ranging from media playback through to gaming and execution of background tasks.

Built in media codecs provide superior recording and playback of both audio and video in various formats. Teleconferencing is available by means of the H.264, MPEG4, H.263 and VP8 video codecs. Additional video formats are directly decoded by the processor. As well as all this there are several audio codecs, and further decoders.

Combined with appropriate external hardware, there is digital imaging support which includes a 32 MP primary camera and a 5 MP secondary camera, with still image sizes up to 300 MP. A 16 x digital zoom, JPEG codec and video and still image stabilization are all included.

There can be 2 simultaneous video outputs, with support for HDMI 1.4a at 1920 x 1080, LCD output at 2048x1536 and CRT output at up to 1920x1200.

Asus released it's Eee Pad Transformer Prime, a tablet incorporating the Tegra 3 processor, on the same day as the Tegra 3. This device ushers in an era of quad-core mobile processing.