Based on an advanced, 0.18-micron process technology, the two new Via Cyrix III line of processors from the Taipei-based chip maker run at speeds of 650- and 667-MHz. The chips are targeted for the "value" segments of the x86-based desktop, notebook, and information appliance markets, said Wenchi Chen, president and chief executive of Via.

"The launch of these two new Via Cyrix III processors demonstrates our growing momentum in the value PC market segment," Chen said. "They provide OEMs and system integrators with an economical solution for building competitively priced PCs targeted at value conscious consumers and businesses."

The products expands Via's reach in the processor market. Prior to the announcement, the company's top-of-the-line processors ran at speeds up to 600-MHz.

Via officials recently said that the company is focusing on the mainstream "value" segments of the PC market. It is not going after the high-end processor market, where Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Intel Corp. are battling in the price/performance game. Recently, for example, Intel rolled out the Pentium 4 processor, which runs at speeds up to 1.5-GHz.

Via's new chips, which are socket 370-compatible products, feature 128-kbit of L1 cache and a 100/133-MHz front side bus. Available in the industry's smallest die size of 75-mm square, the chip also MMX and 3DNow! instructions for enhanced multimedia performance.

The VIA Cyrix III 650- and 667-MHz processors are now available for $55 and $60 in 1,000-unit quantities, respectively.