Via announces one-watt processor

Via Technologies has unveiled its 500MHz Eden CPU which it claims is the most power-efficient x86 processor yet produced.

The new chip draws a single watt of power when in use, and just 0.1 watt when idle, and joins Via's ultra-low voltage processor family designed primarily for ultra-mobile applications.

Because of its very low power draw the CPU does not require a fan, reducing the power requirements even further and opening up design options for developers.

Richard Brown, vice president of corporate marketing at Via, claimed that Eden's design "defines our 'small is beautiful' strategy" and "provides a way for embedded developers to push the market forward".

The new processor is powerful enough to run portable media devices and UMPCs, while still enabling system platforms to maintain a maximum power drain of less than 10 watts, greatly improving battery life.

Eden will be showcased at the Embedded System Conference in Taipei on 23-24 August 2007 along with several customer boards.