Compared to its larger rivals, Via is almost nonexistent in the x86 processor market, with less than one percent share globally. That's even more so the case when you look at the server segment, where Intel and AMD have reigned alone for years. But the underdog which has carved a niche for itself in the ultra-small form factor and low power markets is set to receive an important boost next week, according to the New York Times, which claims Dell is poised to announce a new server product based around the Nano platform.
Aimed at the high-density server market, the new Dell XS11-VX8 - codename Fortuna - looks to pack twelve independent servers running Via's Nano chips into a single 3.5" rackmount case. That's three times as many servers as Dell usually squeezes into similar compact systems, yet it will consume only a fraction the power of a standard server, at a mere 15 to 30 watts.
Although in terms of performance the Nano is definitely a lightweight when it comes to server chips, running at just 1.3GHz or 1.6 GHz, its power consumption numbers could give it a good boost among companies looking for more energy efficient options. Dell will reportedly pitch this $400 server to businesses that buy hundreds or thousands of servers for web hosting functions, which tend to be lighter-weight computing tasks.