VIA Trinity Platform – Bringing Hi-Def to Small Spaces

The VIA Trinity platform is a triple-punch combination of a VIA processor, VIA MSP and S3 Graphics discrete GPU designed to deliver DirectX 10.1, Hi-Def video, Blu-ray and Windows Vista to the SFF desktop, notebook and embedded markets.

The VIA Trinity Platform

As both the physical size and power requirements of x86-based platforms continue to shrink and as the availability of low cost systems increase the number of computing devices in homes and offices, exciting new opportunities are springing up for OEMs, system integrators and consumer electronics (CE) vendors. The VIA Spearhead Initiative is dedicated to developing innovative, complete solutions that reduce development time and cost; the latest example of this is the VIA Trinity platform.

The VIA Trinity platform couples a power efficient VIA processor like the VIA Nano™ processor with one of VIA’s highly integrated Media System Processors such as the VIA VX800, and adds the power of an onboard S3 Graphics PCI Express discrete GPU to bring the latest in x86 technologies to even smaller spaces.

Offering maximum flexibility for customers to quickly and cost effectively develop compact, power efficient systems that don't compromise on essential technologies or performance, the VIA Trinity platform provides all the performance and latest x86 technology support in three chips that other vendors require in four, yet uses less power, granting board vendors and system builders an immediate head-start in the SFF market.

SFF Desktops
With space and power saving desktop PCs growing in popularity, many consumers are retiring their old, bulky systems and switching to these stylish new designs that blend seamlessly into living spaces.

While great for web browsing, productivity applications and light gaming, SFF systems have often suffered due to the graphical limitations of Integrated Graphics Processors. VIA Trinity solves this problem with a discrete graphics card offering DirectX 10.1 support for advanced 3D graphics, Blu-ray playback, and support for all popular HD video formats, improving the quality of video playback and gaming and freeing the CPU to tend to other tasks.

Notebooks and Mini-Notebooks
In the past, apart from targeted products such as gamer-oriented notebooks or portable workstations, there has been little call for discrete graphics in notebooks. However, as notebook sales continue to grow and desktop sales fall away, more and more consumers are looking to their portable PC for the user experience they were accustomed to on their desktop.

The VIA Trinity platform offers system developers a discrete graphics option without the associated weight, bulk and large power requirements of current notebook devices. Ultra-thin notebooks and mini-notes using the VIA Trinity platform can deliver high definition visual computing with an energy efficiency that enables extended battery life for users on the go.

Embedded Systems
For devices where space is at a premium and low power components are a must, the VIA Trinity platform provides the world’s only 3-chip solution featuring a discrete GPU, saving on both board space and power and delivering optimized graphics and high definition video to compact embedded systems.

VIA Trinity Platform Components

VIA Processors
VIA offers a wide range of power efficient processors that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Providing industry leading performance per watt, miniaturization, low power consumption and compatibility with a complete range of feature rich VIA digital media chipsets, VIA processors are powering the new generation of desktop, mobile and embedded devices.

The VIA Nano™ processor family and the VIA C7® processor family are targeted to specific applications based on power consumption and performance criteria, ranging from higher performance for SFF desktop and ultra-thin notebook PCs and power saving capabilities for battery operated mobile devices, to fanless operation for low profile embedded systems.

Further information on VIA Processors can be found here.

VIA Media System Processor
VIA offers the most advanced and broadest core logic chipset range in the industry, providing solutions for all major processor platforms, and for multiple system types: desktop, notebook, embedded, and ultra mobile.

The VIA Trinity platform's media system processors, such as the VIA VX800, integrate all the cutting-edge features of a modern chipset's North and South bridges into a single chip package that saves over 42% of silicon real estate over standard twin-chip core logic implementations. This miniaturization, combined with ultra-low power consumption and extensive power management technologies, enables system builders to design ever smaller, lighter, more portable systems.

Across the board, VIA leads the industry in bringing the latest connectivity, multimedia and storage technologies to the mainstream market.

Further information on the VIA VX800 Media System Processor can be found here.

S3 Graphics Discrete GPU
The S3 Graphics Chrome onboard graphics accelerator supports the latest DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL graphics architectures, HDMI output and playback of the latest Hi-Def content with the Chromotion™ HD 2.0 video engine. Delivering the full add-in card graphics experience in an onboard package, Chrome brings hardware acceleration for all leading video standards including H.264, MPEG-4, VC-1, WMV-HD and AVS for a stunning visual experience, yet remains within the strictest of thermal envelopes.

Further information on S3 Graphics solutions can be found here.

VIA Trinity Platform Block Diagram

Resources

	VIA Trinity Platform press release
	Download VIA Trinity Platform image kit here