NVIDIA Tegra 3 Could Be the First Quad-Core Processor for Smartphones

The Tegra 2 dual-core processor only recently saw the light of day in mobile devices, but apparently NVIDIA is just getting started.

The graphics giant intends to put out not one, but two more processors from its Tegra architecture before the year's end, according to a recently leaked slide of the company's product roadmap. Both smartphone and tablet versions of each of the chipsets will be manufactured.

On the slide, it can be seen that the Tegra 2's successor will be the Tegra 2 3D which, as the name implies, will give smartphone and tablet users the ability to view their displays in glasses-free 3D.

Like the current Tegra 2 processor, this will be a dual-core chip. This one, which NVIDIA hopes to put out by this spring, will bump the processor speed to 1.2 GHz -- up from the 1 GHz clockspeed of the Tegra 2. 

Bring on the Quad-Core
Following that, NVIDIA will release the Tegra 3, which will be the world's first mobile quad-core processor, clocking in at 1.5 GHz.

For smartphones, it will support a 1366 x 768 display.

Such speedy, powerful chipsets would allow portable devices, with the aid of docking stations or other special accessories, to basically become a portable computer. Mike Rayfield, NVIDIA's General Manager for Tegra Business Unit, took this angle during an exclusive interview with Hexus.

"In 25 years, I can't remember a show that was this impactful," said Rayfield. "I've known for a long time that Tegra 2 is a kick-ass part -- your phone is now a mobile PC."

As mentioned, NVIDIA intends to make versions of these chips for tablets. More information on this can be found at our sister site, TabletPCReview.com.

Source, Source