Geode (processor)

For other uses of Geode, see Geode (disambiguation)

Geode is a series of x86-compatible system-on-a-chip microprocessors and I/O companions produced by AMD, targeted at the embedded computing market.

The series was originally launched by National Semiconductor as the Geode family in 1999. The original Geode processor core itself is derived from the Cyrix MediaGX platform, which was acquired in National's merger with Cyrix in 1997. AMD bought the Geode business from National in August 2003 to augment its existing line of embedded x86 processor products. AMD expanded the Geode series to two classes of processor: the MediaGX-derived Geode GX and LX, and the modern Athlon-derived Geode NX.

Geode processors are optimized for low power consumption and low cost while still remaining compatible with software written for the x86 platform. The MediaGX-derived processors lack modern features such as SSE and a large on-die L1 cache but these are offered on the more recent Athlon-derived Geode NX. Geode processors tightly integrate some of the functions normally provided by a separate chipset, such as the northbridge. Whilst the processor family is best suited for thin client, set top box and embedded computing applications, it can be found in unusual applications such as the Nao robot and the Win Enterprise IP-PBX

The One Laptop per Child project originally used the GX series Geode processor in the OLPC XO, but it has since moved to the Geode LX. The Linutop (rebranded Artec ThinCan DBE61C or rebranded FIC ION603A) is also based on the Geode LX. 3Com Audrey was powered by a 200 MHz Geode GX1.

The SCxxxx range of Geode devices are a single-chip version, comparable to the SiS 552, VIA CoreFusion or Intel's Tolapai, which integrate the CPU, memory controller, graphics and I/O devices into one package. Single processor boards based on these processors are manufactured by Artec Group, PC Engines (WRAP), Soekris, and Win Enterprises.

These processors are named after geodes.

Contents

National Semiconductor Geode

Geode GXm

Cyrix MediaGXm clone. Returns "CyrixInstead" on CPUID.

Geode GXLV

Geode GX1

National Semiconductor/AMD SC1100 is based on the Cyrix GX1 core and the CS5530 support chip.

Geode GX2

Announced by National Semiconductor Corporation October, 2001 at Microprocessor Forum. First demonstration at COMPUTEX Taiwan, June, 2002.

AMD Geode

In 2002, AMD introduced the Geode GX series, which was a re-branding of the National Semiconductor GX2. This was quickly followed by the Geode LX, running up to 667 MHz. LX brought many improvements, such as higher speed DDR, a re-designed instruction pipe, and a more powerful display controller. The upgrade from the CS5535 I/O Companion to the CS5536 brought higher speed USB.

Geode GX and LX processors are typically found in devices such as thin clients and industrial control systems. However, they have come under competitive pressure from VIA on the x86 side, and ARM and XScale taking much of the low-end business.

Because of the relative performance, albeit higher PPW, of the GX and LX core design, AMD introduced the Geode NX, which is an embedded version of the highly-successful Athlon processor, K7. Geode NX uses the Thoroughbred core and is quite similar to the Athlon XP-M that use this core. The Geode NX includes 256KB of level 2 cache, and runs fanless at up to 1 GHz in the NX1500@6W version. The NX2001 part runs at 1.8 GHz, the NX1750 part runs at 1.4 GHz, and the NX1250 runs at 667 MHz.

The Geode NX, with its strong FPU, is particularly suited for embedded devices with graphical performance requirements, such as information kiosks and casino gaming machines, such as video slots.

However, it was reported that the specific design team for Geode processors in Longmont, Colorado, has been closed, and 75 employees are being relocated to the new development facility in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is expected that the Geode line of processors will be updated less frequently due to the closure of the Geode design center.[1]

In 2009, comments by AMD indicated that there are no plans for any future micro architecture upgrades to the processor and that there will be no successor; however, the processors will still be available with the planned availability of the Geode LX extending through 2015.[2]

Geode GX

  1. Geode GX 466@0.9 W: clock speed: 333 MHz
  2. Geode GX 500@1.0 W: clock speed: 366 MHz
  3. Geode GX 533@1.1 W: clock speed: 400 MHz

Geode LX

  1. LX 600@0.7 W: clock speed: 366 MHz, with power consumption: 1.2 watts. (TDP 2.8 W)
  2. LX 700@0.8 W: clock speed: 433 MHz, with power consumption: 1.3 watts. (TDP 3.1 W)
  3. LX 800@0.9 W: clock speed: 500 MHz, with power consumption: 1.8 watts. (TDP 3.6 W)
  4. LX 900@1.5 W: clock speed: 600 MHz, with power consumption: 2.6 watts. (TDP 5.1 W)

Features:

Specification:

Geode NX

  1. NX 1250@6W: Clock speed: 667 MHz, average power consumption 6 watts, TDP 9 watts (1.0 volts core operating voltage).
  2. NX 1500@6W: Clock speed: 1 GHz, average power consumption 6 watts, TDP 9 watts (1.1 volts core operating voltage).
  3. NX 1750@14W: Clock speed: 1.4 GHz, average power consumption 14 watts, TDP 25 watts (1.25 volts core operating voltage).

Features:

Geode NX 2001

In 2007, there was a Geode NX 2001 model on sale, which in fact was a relabelled Athlon XP 2200+ Thoroughbred. The processors, with part numbers AANXA2001FKC3G or ANXA2001FKC3D, their specifications are 1.8 GHz clock speed, and 1.65 volt core operating voltage, the power consumption is not specified. There are no official references to this processor except officials explaining that the batch of CPUs were "being shipped to specific customers", though it is clear it has no relation with the other Geode NX CPUs other than sharing the same CPU socket (Socket A).[3]

Chipsets for Geode

  1. NSC Geode CS5530A Southbridge for Geode GX1.
  2. NSC/AMD Geode CS5535 Southbridge for Geode GX(2) and Geode LX (USB 1.1). Integrates four USB ports, one ATA-66 UDMA controller, one Infrared communication port, one AC'97 controller, one SMBUS controller, one LPC port, as well as GPIO, Power Management, and legacy functional blocks.
  3. AMD Geode CS5536 Southbridge for Geode GX and Geode LX (USB 2.0). Power consumption: 1.9 W (433 MHz) and 2.4 W (500 MHz). This chipset is also used on PowerPC board (Amy'05).
  4. Geode NX processors are "100 percent socket and chipset compatible" with AMD's Socket A Athlon XP processors: SIS741CX Northbridge and SIS 964 Southbridge, VIA KM400 Northbridge and VIA VT8235 Southbridge, VIA KM400A Northbridge and VIA VT8237R Southbridge and other Socket A chipsets.

See also

References

  1. ^ X-Bit Labs report, retrieved July 19, 2007
  2. ^ AMD in Embedded: Proven Leadership and Solutions, retrieved May 24, 2010
  3. ^ Fab51.com information, retrieved January 22, 2008

External links

Linux on Geode

NetBSD on Geode

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