New graphics processor to ‘bridge gap’ between mobile and PC

Ahead of this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show, chip-maker Nvidia has unveiled the fifth-generation of its Tegra line of mobile processors, as it aims to help bridge the gap between desktop and mobile devices.

The Tegra K1 is to become the first system on a chip to support next-generation graphics capabilities and will come in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

In a blog post, Nvidia said: “It’s a breakthrough that promises to bring the kinds of applications originally built for designers, gamers and supercomputers to a broad range of devices, erasing the lines between desktop and mobile devices.”

Nvidia also noted that while the chip outperformed the last-generation consoles, including the PS3 and X-Box 360, it requires just 5% of their power.

Alongside the Tegra K1, an accompanying Visial Computing Module was unveiled – a new platform that will combine the Tegra K1 and automotive.

Co-founder and CEO Jen-Hsun explained that the platform will allow automotive designers to put the power that was once only available in supercomputers into cars and trucks, and that parallel computing will “revolutionise how a car is built, how it looks, how it drives.”

The 32-bit Tegra K1 will be available during the first half of 2014, while the 64-bit version will arrive during the second half of the year.

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