Group:Hardware/TODO/DUPLICATE INFO/Processors

Introduction

The purpose of this page is to allow CPUs to be evaluated for suitability for use in FSF-endorsed hardware. Presence or otherwise of a CPU on this page DOES NOT imply that it is an exhaustive list, nor does it imply that each and every CPU is or is not FSF-endorsed. Certain CPUs for example require proprietary libraries for their 3D Graphics, but over time a Free Software compliant alternative may become available, or may be reverse-engineered, in which case CPUs that previously did not qualify suddenly would.

So to be clear: this page is for the PURPOSES of evaluating CPUs, to store research about their present status, NOT to specifically or categorically state "this CPU is endorsed, period".

Processors, types and pricing (appx)

Manufacturer	Model	Type	Speed	Price	Availability
Creative	ZMS-08	ARM Cortex A8	1ghz	n/a
Samsung	S5PV210	ARM Cortex A8	1ghz	$14	sort-of
Samsung	Orion	ARM Cortex A9	1ghz	?$45?	no
TI	AM3715	ARM Cortex A8	1ghz	$24	yes
TI	AM3703	ARM Cortex A8	1ghz	$17	yes
TI	AM3892	ARM Cortex A8	1.5ghz	n/a	not yet
TI	AM3894	ARM Cortex A8	1.5ghz	$43	yes
TI	OMAP4400	ARM Cortex A9	1.5ghz	?$45?	maybe.
Ingenix	jz4760	MIPS32 (x1)	700mhz	$7	still trying
NXP	PNX8490	ARM Cortex A9	800mhz	n/a	no
NXP	PNX8491	ARM Cortex A9	800mhz	n/a	no
TI	DM3730	ARM Cortex A8	1ghz	$30	yes
TI	DM3725	ARM Cortex A8	1ghz	$27	yes
NEC	Emma EV1	ARM Cortex A9 (single)	533mhz	$50	TBC

still to be analysed:

• PMC and Broadcom MIPS CPUs. however, these are all from 2006, and so will be using 65nm, but worse will be using 20 masks instead of 32. power consumption in the BCM Quad-Core part is therefore 20 watts, and the PMC Single-Core part 4.5 watts!
• also the SMC8656
• and the SiS 9561.
• and the Freescale PowerPC range MPC85xx although these are *horrendously* expensive!
• netlogic au1300 - 800mhz, MIPS32

regarding "Availability" criteria: this is a rather wooly guide to how easily the CPU can be obtained. some CPUs can simply be ordered direct from Distributors (typically T.I "consumer-grade" parts). Others are a pain to get hold of, require NDAs or are restricted to certain market segments. Some CPUs are only available "if the supplier likes you"! CPUs which require NDAs are, obviously, not up for consideration for FSF-endorsed products.

Processor, Compiler, Links, Status

Model	Links	3D	Treacherous	DVI or HDMI	Max LCD
ZMS-08	product page	Vector Processor	TBD	HDMI	TBD (1366x768 confirmed)
S5PV210	datasheet	PowerVR	e-fuse (*1)	HDMI	WXGA (133x768 *6)
Orion		PowerVR	TBD	HDMI	not known
AM3715		PowerVR	No (*2)	neither (*4)	2048x2048 (*5)
AM3703		SIMD (NEON)	No (*2)	neither (*4)	2048x2048 (*5)
AM3892		SIMD (NEON)	No (*2)	neither (*4)	2048x2048 (*5)
AM3894		PowerVR	No (*2)	neither (*4)	2048x2048 (*5)
OMAP4400		PowerVR	No (*2)	HDMI (*3)	2048x2048 (*5)
jz4760	linux-mips	SIMD FPU (XBurst)	No	neither	1280x720
PNX8490	product brief	SIMD (NEON)	TBD	HDMI (*3)	none!
PNX8491	product brief	PowerVR	TBD	HDMI (*3)	none!
DM3730	datasheet	PowerVR	No	neither (*4)	2048x2048 (*5)
DM3725	datasheet	none	No	neither (*4)	2048x2048 (*5)
Emma EV1	SEMC-EV1	none	No	neither	TBC

Please note that on the 3D section, NEON and X-Burst can be *used* to implement at least some form of accelerated 3D.

Notes

• (*1) It is possible to effectively disable any opportunity for the S5PC110 and S5PV210 from being "Treacherous", by blowing an e-fuse. Once "normal booting" has been selected, it is not possible to enable "secure" (Treacherous) booting:

     6.1 OVERVIEW OF BOOTING SEQUENCE
     S5PC110 consists of 64KB ROM and 96KB SRAM as internal memory. For booting, internal 64KB ROM and
     internal 96KB SRAM regions can be used. S5PC110 boots from internal ROM to enable secure booting, which
     ensures that the image cannot be altered by unauthorized users. To select secure booting or normal booting,
     S5PC110 should use e-fuse information. This information cannot be altered after being programmed.

• (*2) TI CPUs with hardware motherboard configuration, to prevent Treachery. discussion here
• (*3) HDMI contains HDCP (encrypted HD content protection). This is Bad (tm).
• (*4) The AM37xx, AM38xx and DM37xx series can all have an external DVI-D IC added which provides at least a way to connect a Digital Monitor.
• (*5) The AM and DM series can all support 2048x2048 but only at really quite low refresh rates. Some more "standard" sizes include 1280x800 (60hz), 1400x1050 (50hz) and 1280x720 (60hz) etc. etc.
• (*6) The OFFICIAL resolution of the S5PC110 and S5PV210 is 1024x768. However, hardkernel.com have shown that it's possible to get up to 1366x768, as long as you ignore two lines so that the amount of memory used is just under 1mbyte. Additional caveat: these CPUs were not designed to run up to 1366x768 - it's just that they can - so the signal quality at these increased rates is not massively stable. Perhaps stability would be achieved again by bringing the refresh rate down to 45hz, which some LCD panels can (unofficially) do, perfectly well.

About Treacherous Computing

Treacherous Computing starts with the processor, by making it impossible, right from the startup of the CPU, to gain control over what is run on the device. This practice is lauded and loved by the Industry, as once you are running "secure" bootloader code, especially when blown into an on-board ROM, regaining control of the device that you have purchased is somewhat challenging.

Should any device with a Treacherous-capable CPU seek FSF Hardware Endorsement, it would be... unfortunate if that device was then purchased for the purposes of reprogramming the secure bootloader area (if the CPU had one), thus preventing and prohibiting users from being able to use that FSF Hardware-endorsed device! Thus, logically, it makes sense to ensure that the device can at least always have its Operating System replaced at any time, starting by ensuring that any Treacherous "Secure bootloader" capability is non-existent, impossible or can be permanently disabled.

At least, then, if the OS on that FSF Hardware Endorsed device is ever replaced with a Treacherous OS and the device re-sold, at least the OS can, again, be replaced with a Free Software Compliant OS of the new owner's choice.

About HDMI, HDCP and DVI

HDCP stands for "High-bandwith Digital Content Protection" (as if your "contentment" needs "protection" at high bandwidth...) This article gives a good layman's overview whilst also making it bluntly clear that it's a complete pain and that it is entirely driven by greed. Your inconvenience - and your useless purchase costing thousands - is not the problem or the concern of the Copyright Cartels.

The Wikipedia Page on HDCP shows that HDCP is completely pointless, with the master key having been cracked, based on flaws that were shown to exist as far back as 2001. HDCP is about control (failed attempts thereof) and its only effect has been to cause people to spend more money.

Supporting HDCP outputs, such as DVI and HDMI, on a FSF Hardware-endorsed device, is therefore acceptable because it's been cracked.