Intel Announces Next Generation of XScale Processors

At the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), going on now in San Francisco, the first details of the next generation of XScale processors were revealed.

Codenamed Monahans, these chips will be used in a wide variety of mobile devices, including handhelds, smartphones, and consumer electronic devices, just as the current XScale processors are.

Monahans is expected to provide five times more performance within the next few years, while consuming less energy than previous Intel-based processors.

Dawn of the 1 GHz XScale Processor

The Monahans announcement was done by Sean Maloney, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Mobility Group.

His presentation also included a demonstration of a next-generation XScale processor running at 1.25 GHz, quite a jump over the fastest XScale chip currently available, which runs at 624 MHz.

However, this doesn't mean that Monahans chips will initially be available at that speed, but they will reach that clock-speed -- and even higher -- at some point.

In addition, Maloney pointed out that a 1.25 GHz XScale chip won't have twice the performance of a 624 MHz one. Instead, it will be about 25 percent faster. Still, it will use less power.

The formal unveiling of the Monahans series will come this fall, and first devices running them are expected to debut next year.

New Graphics Co-processors, too

Maloney also announced the next generation of Intel graphics co-processors, codenamed Stanwood. However, he did not reveal any details on these.

Maloney's keynote speech at the IDF also included a discussion on the importance of standards for furthering innovation in mobile devices.

Thanks to Timothy Rapson for the tip.