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Forget octo-core big.LITTLE. What your next smartphone needs is a tri-cluster deca-core System-on-a-Chip (SoC) from MediaTek:
Right off the bat, MediaTek manages to raise eyebrows with what is the first 10 core System-on-a-Chip design. The 10 processor cores are arranged in a tri-cluster orientation, which is a new facet against a myriad of dual-cluster big.LITTLE heterogeneous CPU designs. The three clusters consist of a low power quad-core A53 cluster clocked at 1.4 GHz, a power/performance balanced quad-core A53 cluster at 2.0GHz, and an extreme performance dual-core A72 cluster clocked in at 2.5GHz. To achieve this tri-cluster design, MediaTek choose to employ a custom interconnect IP called the MediaTek Coherent System Interconnect (MCSI).
Contrary to what MediaTek presents as an "introduction of a Mid cluster", I like to see MediaTek's tri-cluster approach as an extension to the existing dual A53 cluster designs - where the added A72 cluster is truly optimized for only the highest frequencies. Indeed, we are told that the A72 cluster can reach up to 2.5GHz on a TSMC 20nm process. ARM aims similar clocks for the A72 but at only 14/16nm FinFET processes, so to see MediaTek go this high on 20nm is impressive, even if it's only a two-core cluster. It will be interesting to see how MediaTek chooses the lower frequency limits on each cluster, especially the A72 CPUs, or how these options will be presented to OEMs.
The [Helio] X20 samples in H2 2015 and devices with it are planned to be shipping in Q1 2016.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by archshade on Wednesday May 13 2015, @03:31PM
Although I don't see much need for a phone with such power I can imagine a phone sized device where this would be useful
What I am thinking of is a simple small "compute block". This device has a single physical power and high speed interconnect (think multi lane TB). Inside the block there is a small battery, Wirless Radios (Cell, WiFi, BT, GPS, etc), Non-volatile storage (e.g. 32GiB NAND-Flash), RAM, CPU and GPU.
The "compute block" will not have a screen, input method of any kind (except the wireless and HS interconnect above)
The device will be smaller than a phone and be capable of providing the grunt for most peoples day to day computing need. The compute block can then be put in a chassis to turn it into a usable device. A phone chassis would be no more than a touch screen (with maybe an extra battery, USB connectivity etc). A laptop chassis would similarly be a larger screen, Keyboard, HDD, USB Host, big battery maybe some additional cooling for the block etc.
The OS and other software would be saved on the compute blocks flash, other files could be saved on the block, a chassis, removable media or network storage. The block would also store profiles for each chassis and chassis type (a default could be stored on the chassis). This way you could only carry your phone around with you, but if you need to use a desktop you just insert your block into a friends chassis and get access though that.
Things like UI and preference would be defined by the chassis profile and so you don't have to struggle with a tablet touch UI on a netbook (looking at android netbooks here). Chassis would have their storage (and possible other resources) encrypted with keys on the block so you would not be able to view all the files when using someone else's chassis.
So I have come up with a single use case where a fast processor could be useful in a phone sized device. Obviously this would never take off for workstations (unless they contained an alternative co-processor for real number crunching. But then your basically just booting off a flash drive so no real benefit.
(Score: 2) by mtrycz on Wednesday May 13 2015, @04:57PM
A serious answer! I dig it. Thank you, sir.
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(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday May 13 2015, @06:33PM
This would be great. If certain quantum/optical coprocessors can't be easily miniaturized to fit on a SoC, they can go in the workstation tower. Just don't lose your smartphone (portable surveillance workstation).
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