Summary
Marvel's new chip is fine and so are others from TI. Intel's 45 nm processors are huge power savers as well.
Analysis
The Marvel chip is fine but it would take some detailed analysis to see if it is much better or worse than the equivalent TI part. A quick perusal shows the TI part, UCC28060, can be used for higher power outputs 75- TO 800-WATT than the Marvel which can be used in the 10 to 250 watt range. My quick opinion is this keeps Marvel in the game and is good blocking and tackling but it is not a game changer. TI came out with this part months ago and it is no doubt in many designs already. I haven't looked at other IC vendors such as Maxim or Linear and either of those might have equivalent parts.
This article, however: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/29/intel_penryn_4ghz_with_air_cooling/
shows just how much power savings Intel has achieved with their new architectures and processes. While making a more efficient supply is always good using less energy at the load is the best.
All these technologies in combination will reduce the rate of growth of computer energy usage. But only the rate, as more servers keep going on line.
