It’s been a long time coming, but NVIDIA has finally unveiled its latest addition to its chipset family and “GeForce Experience” by introducing the world to the Tegra 4 processor. As indicated before, the world’s first speedy ARM 15-based quad-core all-in-one chip will feature an astoundingly efficient 28nm process (which happens to match the Snapdragon S4 Pro chip), 72 GPU cores and the ability to handle a 2,560 x 1600 resolution at 120Hz. The neat thing is that we’ll all see the same type of DDR memory and 4 + 1 architecture as found in the Tegra 3 chip, so we can expect to see incredibly responsive and fluid performance in everything from gaming to just the swiping from screen to screen in an efficient manner. Oh and for those of you that care about looking towards the future— the Tegra 4 has full LTE support.
Additionally, NVIDIA also announced its NVIDIA Grid cloud computing tool. NVIDIA Grid allows for any sort of smart devices from TVs to Android devices to run high-quality graphics and games all based off of the cloud. Essentially— users will open the app and through high quality servers that host specialized graphic cores, the same users will be able to play all sorts of high quality apps and games in awesome video and rendering quality thanks to a basic internet connection. This means that users won’t need to worry about having a device with an old built-in graphics unit anymore since it won’t be doing the dirty work of having to render high-quality video— the cores on the NVIDIA Grid servers will do all the dirty work for you.
Full press release after the break:
NVIDIA Introduces World’s Fastest Mobile Processor
Tegra 4 Features 72 Custom GPU Cores, Quad-Core Cortex-A15 CPU for Superb Performance and Efficiency; LTE Enabled with Optional Chipset
LAS VEGAS—CES—Jan. 6, 2013—NVIDIA today introduced NVIDIA® Tegra® 4 , the world’s fastest mobile processor, with record-setting performance and battery life to flawlessly power smartphones and tablets, gaming devices, auto infotainment and navigation systems, and PCs.
Tegra 4 offers exceptional graphics processing, with lightning-fast web browsing, stunning visuals and new camera capabilities through computational photography.
Previously codenamed “Wayne,” Tegra 4 features 72 custom NVIDIA GeForce™ GPU cores – or six times the GPU horsepower of Tegra 3 – which deliver more realistic gaming experiences and higher resolution displays. It includes the first quad-core application of ARM’s most advanced CPU core, theCortex-A15, which delivers 2.6x faster web browsing and breakthrough performance for apps.
Tegra 4 also enables worldwide 4G LTE voice and data support through an optional chipset, the fifth-generation NVIDIA Icera® i500 processor. More efficient and 40 percent the size of conventional modems, i500 delivers four times the processing capability of its predecessor.
“Tegra 4 provides enormous processing power and efficiency to power smartphones and tablets, gaming devices, auto systems and PCs,” said Phil Carmack, senior vice president of the Tegra business at NVIDIA. ”Its new capabilities, particularly in the area of computational photography, will help improve a whole range of existing products and lead to the creation of exciting new ones.”
Computational Photography Capability
Among the Tegra 4 processor’s breakthroughs is its Computational Photography Architecture, which automatically delivers high dynamic range (HDR) photos and video by fusing together the processing power of the GPU, CPU and the camera’s image-signal processor.
Its HDR capability captures images, including those taken with a flash, the way they are seen by the human eye – with detail in both bright and dark areas.
Unprecedented Power Efficiency
Designed for maximum energy efficiency, Tegra 4 includes a second-generation battery saver core for low power during standard use, and PRISM 2 Display technology to reduce backlight power while delivering superior visuals.
Tegra 4 consumes up to 45 percent less power than its predecessor, Tegra 3, in common use cases. And it enables up to 14 hours of HD video playback on phones.
Tegra 4 Key Features
- · - GeForce GPU with 72 custom cores
- · - Quad-core ARM Cortex-A15 CPU, plus a 2nd Generation Battery Saver Core
- · - Computational Photography Architecture
- · - LTE capability with optional Icera i500 chipset
- · - 4K ultra-high-def video support
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Today, its processors power a broad range of products from smartphones to supercomputers. NVIDIA’s mobile processors are used in cell phones, tablets and auto infotainment systems. PC gamers rely on GPUs to enjoy spectacularly immersive worlds. Professionals use them to create 3D graphics and visual effects in movies and to design everything from golf clubs to jumbo jets. And researchers utilize GPUs to advance the frontiers of science with high performance computing. The company has more than 5,000 patents issued, allowed or filed, including ones covering ideas essential to modern computing. For more information, seewww.nvidia.com.