Originally published November 27 2005
P.A. Semi introduces PWRficient processor family
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The PWRficient processors are high-performance processors and contain multi-core chips that are ten times more power-efficient than similar chips on the market. P. A. Semi may also enter the gaming console market.
P.A. Semi emerged from virtual anonymity Monday to introduce its first set of general-purpose processors for computing, networking, and consumer electronics equipment.
The Santa Clara, California-based startup has developed a line of a processor family called PWRficient, which are multi-core chips that are higher-performing than chips with one core, or engine.
The company is "fabless," meaning it contracts with manufacturers that actually produce the chips.
The company hasn't lined up customers yet, but it's attractive partly because of the successes of its founders, including CEO Dan Dobberpuhl, who has garnered awards for low-power processor designs.
It runs at 2 GHz but uses only between five watts to 13 watts.
P.A. Semi has licensed IBM's PowerPC design to develop its processors.
PowerPC chips from IBM are used in computers, servers, and gaming consoles, among other products.
Right now, IBM and Freescale Semiconductor are the two suppliers of PowerPC chips.
Mr. Dobberpuhl said his company is targeting a variety of markets, including servers, telecom networking, imaging, storage, and consumer electronics such as set-top boxes.
But he conceded that the server market isn't a prime focus, given that the market is dominated by machines made with chips from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, both of which use a non-PowerPC design.
The telecom networking market would be P.A. Semi's best bet, said Kevin Krewell, editor in chief of Microprocessor Report.
The startup is looking for additional money because the cost of developing and manufacturing its new family of processors would cost at least $100 million, said Leo Joseph, chief operating officer of P.A. Semi.
P.A. Semi plans to start producing its first processor, a dual-core version, in small quantities in the third quarter of 2006.
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