NVIDIA Unveils the “World’s Fastest Mobile Processor”, Say Hello to the Tegra 4 with 72-core GPU
The “world’s fastest mobile processor” is finally here. Although the Tegra 4 was hardly a secret prior to CES 2013, NVIDIA CEO Jen-Hsun Huang was visibly excited to unveil it to the world. Despite having lost the surprise element, Jen-Hsun Huang’s demos of the Tegra 4 in a prototype Windows tablet running stock Android and the Project Shield gaming system thoroughly impressed the audience.
Confirming what we already knew, the Tegra 4 is built on Cortex-A15 cores alongside a 72-core GPU that pushes out “record-setting performance and battery life.” Huang showcased the speed by comparing a T4-powered tablet against the Nexus 10 in a browser test. The Tegra 4 blazed through 25 pages in around 27 seconds, while the Nexus 10 took 50 seconds to do the same thing. In addition to ultra fast browser speeds, using a Tegra 4 powered device will enable consumers with the ability to capture incredible HDR photos. The T4 does this by allowing the image sensor to grab two photos at the same time which results in stunning photography. Undoubtedly, the T4 speaks for itself when it comes to performance.
Huang made no mention of when we would start to see the Tegra 4 in production. It appears the processor has just stepped out of the development period and it might be awhile before we see any retail shelves sporting a T4 powered mobile device. In the meantime, you can check out the full NVIDIA press release below.
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, NV–(Marketwire – Jan 7, 2013) – CES – 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, the Cortex-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
Useful Links
www.nvidia.com/tegra
www.tegrazone.comTags/Keywords
NVIDIA, Tegra, tablet, smartphone, mobile, quad core, gaming, GPU, CPU, GeForce, ARM, Cortex-A15, LTE, photo, HDRAbout 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 tosupercomputers. 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 withhigh 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.
