Intel Extends the X-Scale Processor Family

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/3/29905.html">http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/3/29905.html</a><br /><br />"Intel is growing its Xscale family with the addition today of two new chips: the PXA260 and 263. And it officially announced the PXA255."<br /><br />The bottom line is smaller, faster and lower power consumption. There are rumors that Dell has slipstreamed it into recently produced Axim X5s.<br /><br /><b>Update</b> I removed the 1915/PXA255 reference. That was an error on my part. It was SDIO that the 1915 gained, not the new processor. :oops:

[heov]

I don't believe the 1915 has the PXA255... at least I didn't see it mentioned anywhere... Do you have a link w/ this news?

I believe the only PPC that has been anounced to include the PXA255 is the Toshiba e750, and of course, many people claim the PXA250 C1 stepping in the newer dells is the same thing as PXA255, but no one is for sure.

[Ed Hansberry]

I don't believe the 1915 has the PXA255... at least I didn't see it mentioned anywhere... Do you have a link w/ this news?
Nope. I messed up. The 1915 has SDIO, not a 255. :oops:

[badbob001]

So does it look like the only difference between the PXA260 and PXA255 is that the PXA260 is much smaller? Or does the PXA26x line come with some sort of DSP like the TI OMAP? I wonder if the PXA260 will find itself in pocketpc's and the PXA255 is only a transition product.

[Peter Foot]

So does it look like the only difference between the PXA260 and PXA255 is that the PXA260 is much smaller? Or does the PXA26x line come with some sort of DSP like the TI OMAP? I wonder if the PXA260 will find itself in pocketpc's and the PXA255 is only a transition product.

Based on the wording of the Intel Press release -http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20030324net.htm?iid=Homepage+Highlight_030324a&

Stacking advanced computing and memory capabilities in a "system-in-a-package" design reduces the number of components in a PDA...
It appears that the 26x range could be targetted at PDA's as well as phones, along with media devices and smart displays.

Exciting times ahead!

[LorryDriver71]

Can you change the processor in a pocket pc? eg. If you have a X-scale 200Mhz could you get a new 400Mhz and put that in? or is that just big PC stuff.

[vetteguy]

Can you change the processor in a pocket pc? eg. If you have a X-scale 200Mhz could you get a new 400Mhz and put that in? or is that just big PC stuff.
Unfortunately, no, unless you could unsolder it from the board and solder a new one in. Not that that wouldn't be fun to try...

Also, I just got an Axim and it has C1 stepping. I've been in a discussion over at brighthand about it.

[chuckster30]

Can someone confirm if Dell has slipped the new processor in their handhelds? I went to the details on their site, and they have removed all references to the model number of the xscale processor. Makes you wonder.

[heov]

PPCTechs have stated they were able to do a drop in replacement of the PXA250 to a 255.

So, they opened up their 3900, and put in a 255 in it. They said it worked, and that they are currently testing things out and see if there is a substantial speed gain. Then they can offer the upgrade to other users (and i'm sure price is going to be crazy!).

Anyway, if someone has a 1910, i highly recommend OCing it to 333MHz w/ a 165MHz bus. That makes it one of the fastest PPCs out there! Try it! The worst that could happen (that has been reported) is a hard reset, and it seems as if 333 is stable on the 1910, from what i've heard.

[Cracknell]

I think putting on 400mHz 255 into h1910 would be sweet. Imagine running at 100mHz with OC utility and it's actually as fast as 200mHz and consume half the power. swiiiinnngg....!

[Dermot81]

It says the 263 will have integrated memory.

I think that will make a huge difference, because even though the 255's bus runs at 200mhz, the memory can't yet match the speed, and I think the memory can only run at up to 166?mhz using PHM to overclock.

I guess with the 263 intel is taking the memory into their own hands, hopefully they will be able to ensure high quality memory being able to run at 200mhz.

[questionlp]

I think the key benefit of integrating Flash and memory into the processor's package is not only to consolidate multiple packages/cores just for Intel to get memory into their own hands, but also to reduce the number of data, power and ground traces routed through a small yet crowded PCB, and hopefully makes the PCB cleaner (by having less chips to mount on a board).

Also by having everything under a single core/package helps reduce the heat density of the chip (i.e.: more surface area to distribute heat produced by the main processor core) while providing more area for the pin grid array to support more pins for other use (SDIO, host and client USB, other data pins) without resorting to funky workarounds.

[heov]

these new processors (260 series) are designed for smartphones... to compete directly w/ the specific line of OMAP processors. I doubt we'll ever see these in PPCs... they're too limited. PXA255 is the current "flagship" pda processor from intel.

I've been thinking a while... it probably, imo at least, been better if they had just improved the strongarm core. I mean, w/ xscale, they changed a lot of things, some bad, some good. But for me, I'd rather have the extra speed versus the battery savings. I mean if I could have a 400MHz StrongARM (same core and everything, so speed kinda doubles), i'd take that over a pxa255.

[lithium]

For more info

Intel® PXA26x processor family
http://www.intel.com/design/pca/prodbref/251671.htm

Intel® PXA255 Processor
http://www.intel.com/design/pca/prodbref/252780.htm

[Daimaou]

I I believe the only PPC that has been anounced to include the PXA255 is the Toshiba e750, and of course, many people claim the PXA250 C1 stepping in the newer dells is the same thing as PXA255, but no one is for sure.

Wrong the First PPC sold under a PXA255 was the Genio e550GD in Japan. 3 weeks ago now. Like the PXA 250, the fisrt Machine ever made with this CPU was the Genio e550G

Also at the end of this week 2 new Machine will be sell in Japan with this CPU the Genio e550C (Camera included) and the Casio E-3000 (Made by ASUS)

[Pony99CA]

these new processors (260 series) are designed for smartphones... to compete directly w/ the specific line of OMAP processors. I doubt we'll ever see these in PPCs... they're too limited. PXA255 is the current "flagship" pda processor from intel.
If you read the Intel PXA26x Web page (http://www.intel.com/design/pca/prodbref/251671.htm), it says:


Key Applications

Data-enabled Cellular phones
Smartphones
Wireless Communicators
WPDAs


So these aren't just for smart phones, but also for wireless PDAs. I suppose you could stretch and call those smart phones, too, but Microsoft's SmartPhone OS is targeted for a different device class than its Pocket PC Phone Edition, while the PXA26x seems intended for both.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Do the 260 and 263 have a 200 MHz bus speed, or just the 100 MHz speed?

If you read the list of intended applications in my previous post, I'm guessing they only have a 100 MHz bus. :(

Steve

[questionlp]

Do the 260 and 263 have a 200 MHz bus speed, or just the 100 MHz speed?

If you read the list of intended applications in my previous post, I'm guessing they only have a 100 MHz bus. :(

According to the design specification document on the 26x at:
ftp://download.intel.com/design/pca/applicationsprocessors/manuals/278639-002.pdf

On page 10 of the PDF, it says:

- System memory interface
-- 100 MHz SDRAM