Extending its ‘carbon-free’ CPU concept, Taiwanese motherboard chip maker VIA Technologies has announced a carbon-free PC reference design.
Part of the firm’s pc-1 initiative, the design calls for its 20W C7-M processor, VN800 north bridge, VT8237R south bridge and a laptop-sized (2.5in.) serial ATA hard drive.
“The chipsets are very power efficient,” said VIA v-p of corporate marketing Richard Brown.
The C7-M is the firm’s mobile processor, whereas its previous ‘carbon-free’ offering was its C7-D desktop processor.
To claim carbon-free status, the firm is offsetting all the power used by these processors when operating. No attempt is yet made to offset the chip production energy.
“The programme ensures the offset of carbon dioxide produced to power the PC over three years through third party-certified projects,” said VIA: “including renewable energy, such as solar power, re-forestation and environmental conservation, such as wetlands presentation and restoration.”
Although leading low-carbon computing, the firm is relatively new to offsetting and already changes are being made to its programme. “We are not thinking so much about [planting] trees now, as it is difficult to know when they will be cut down,” said Brown. “In future we will probably prefer to concentrate on renewable energy.”
Carbon is not the only environmental consideration with this PC. The 198x198x108mm tall plastic case, for example, is powder-coated. “No spray paint,” said Brown.