Updated: Imagination punches at Nvidia with its own 192-core mobile graphics processor

Back in January, graphics chip maker Nvidia made noise with its 192-core Tegra K1 mobile processor. So today, Imagination Technologies took a jab at Nvidia by announcing its 192-core graphics processing unit (GPU), the PowerVR GX6650 at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.

Imagination Technologies said that its chip intellectual property (which will be designed into chips made by its licensees) will produce the most powerful graphics in mobile devices, particularly in comparison to Nvidia’s upcoming Tegra K1. Imagination said that the PowerVR GPU’s hallmark is its system efficiency and ability to handle graphics with low power consumption.

Imagination also introduced two new processor cores, the Mips M5100 and the Mips M5150. Both provide security and reliability for entry-level embedded processors, or the chips that serve as the brains of appliances. It also introduced a PowerVR V2500 imaging processor based on the PowerVR Raptor architecture that it unveiled in November.

New customers using the Imagination Technologies platforms include Allwinner, Actions Semiconductor, and Toshiba.

Update: A spokesperson said that the PowerVR GX6650 is available for licensing now, but the typical time frame for shipping in volume is 12 to 18 months. By that time, Nvidia could very well be on its next version of its Tegra chip. The Tegra K1 is expected to ship in the second half of 2014.