The IDT WinChip™ C6™ is the first microprocessor from Centaur Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT). Using a unique design approach, the IDT WinChip C6 delivers competitive performance, lower cost and lower power dissipation than offerings from other x86 microprocessor suppliers. This combination of features is expected to shift the price/performance paradigm in the personal computer industry and will allow computer manufacturers to deliver higher value to the end customer. IDT WinChip C6 is targeted at the sub-$1,000 desktop and sub-$2,000 notebook product categories. The IDT WinChip C6 includes MMX™ compatible instructions and is offered in processor speeds of 180 MHZ and 200 MHZ, with faster speeds to come.

Architecture

The IDT WinChip™ C6™ uses a unique design concept which goes back to the principles of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture. This unique design approach focuses on optimizing the microprocessor for highly used simple instructions and improving the overall clock frequency. Memory performance is further improved by using large on-chip caches and sophisticated cache and translation look aside (TLB) algorithms to reduce bus utilization. In addition, the IDT WinChip C6 processor is highly optimized for small physical size, which results in lower manufacturing costs as well as lower power consumption.

Performance

The IDT WinChip C6 offers competitive performance to Pentium ® with MMX™ Technology, AMD-K6™, and Cyrix 6x86MX™ microprocessors running Windows ® 95 business applications.

Enlarge graph IDT WinChip C6 offers "the performance of high-end Pentium parts, including MMX compatibility." -Linley Gwennap, Editor-in-Chief, Microprocessor Report

System Specifications

• Holco Shuttle 565 Motherboard: (Socket 7)
• Intel 430 TX Chipset
• Award BIOS 4.5x
• 512 KB Level 2 Cache
• 32MB EDO DRAM 60 ns
• Diamond 3D 2000 Graphics (S3 Virge) with 2 MB EDO DRAM driver 4.03.003211
• Western Digital Caviar 1.6 GB IDE hard disk

Power Dissipation

IDT WinChip C6 power dissipation is much lower than other Socket 7 processors with MMX Technology, making it suitable for mobile systems and the rapidly growing sub-$1,000 PC product category.

Enlarge graph IDT WinChip C6 ..."fits easily into the thermal envelope of most notebook PC's while offering performance similar to that of Intel's best notebook chips." -Linley Gwennap

It is important to note that the IDT WinChip C6 power dissipation advantage is achieved while operating at 3.3 or 3.52 volts where other microprocessors require dual voltage operation. Thus, the IDT WinChip C6 is expected to offer even lower power dissipation in the future with dual voltage support.

Compatibility

Centaur Technology has extensively tested the IDT WinChip C6 processor with x86 operating systems such as DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT™, OS/2™, Linux and a large number of software applications. In addition, many third-party motherboards, and chipsets from ALI, VIA, SIS, and Intel have been tested to ensure compatibility. BIOS support is also available from Award, AMI, and SystemSoft. IDT WinChip C6 third-party verification includes Microsoft ® Certified Compatibility with Windows 95 and XXCAL Platinum Certification.

The IDT WinChip C6 is a plug compatible processor to Pentium with MMX Technology and is offered in a 296-pin grid array, Socket 7 compliant ceramic package (CPGA). IDT WinChip C6 leverages the established and low cost Socket 7 motherboard infrastructure.



Manufacturing Capabilities

The IDT WinChip C6 processor is a 5.4 million transistor device manufactured using IDT's 0.35 micron, 4-layer metal CMOS technology.

Enlarge graph IDT WinChip C6 "measures just 88 mm2 ... much smaller than other Socket 7 x86 chips." -Linley Gwennap

At only 88mm ² in size, the IDT WinChip C6 processor is between 30 and 60 percent smaller than comparable Socket 7 processors with MMX Technology. The combination of small die size coupled with a simplified CMOS process allows IDT to manufacture the WinChip C6 very efficiently and at a low cost.

The IDT WinChip C6 is manufactured at IDT's state-of-the-art facilities in Hillsboro, Oregon and San Jose, California. IDT will continue to drive its manufacturing and process technology with new microprocessor designs from Centaur Technology, delivering value to buyers of mainstream PC desktop and mobile computers.