Tegra Gets Four Cores

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Nvidia demos a quad-core version of its Tegra processor at Computex 2011, saying devices carrying the processor will start hitting the market in September 2011.

TegraBearing the codename "Kal-El" (that's Superman's Kryptonian name, won't you know), the quad-core Tegra should first appear in tablets, before showing up in smartphones. Nvidia fails to mention any vendors by name, but one can safely assume the list will include any of Nvidia's current partners (which include Motorola, Dell, Sony and Asus).

The company says the chip is not only be more capable than Tegra 2 but also is more power-efficient, resulting in better game graphics and longer battery lives.

Nvidia says this latest offering is the world's first quad-core tablet chip-- although one doubts Qualcomm and Texas Instruments are sitting on their laurels. In fact, Qualcomm announced a quad-core Snapdragon chip earlier this year at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress (where "Kal-El" was also first announced).

Meanwhile back at Computex, Nvidia also announces Tegra 2 shipments will reach 10m units by June's end. The chipset also receives another accolade at the show-- specifically the "Best Choice" award for smart handheld devices from the Taipei Computer Association.

Go Nvidia