ED#50 : Intel 45 nm Processors To Hit The Market Soon

[Dashken]

Intel is on a roll. After sweeping across the desktop and mobile market with their Core 2 processors like a horde of invading Mongols, Intel is set to repeat that with their 45 nm processors.

Although many expect Intel to do so only in early 2008, Intel is already prepared to roll out their 45 nm processors. All they are waiting is for AMD to launch their Barcelona processors.

Here's a quote from the editorial :-

"Intel synchronizes their processor strategy on a tick-tock system. Just like clockwork, Intel switches between architectural changes and improvements in process technology every two years or so. In other words, we can count on a new microarchitecture and process technology from Intel every 4-5 years.

The tick phase heralds a new architecture, or at least an improved one. That would be like the introduction of the Core microarchitecture in 2006. This will be followed by the tock phase two years down the road, which would feature an improved process technology."

Link : ED#50 : Intel 45 nm Processors To Hit The Market Soon

[aussie FX]

Originally Posted by Dashken

Intel is on a roll. After sweeping across the desktop and mobile market with their Core 2 processors like a horde of invading Mongols, Intel is set to repeat that with their 45 nm processors.

Although many expect Intel to do so only in early 2008, Intel is already prepared to roll out their 45 nm processors. All they are waiting is for AMD to launch their Barcelona processors.

Here's a quote from the editorial :-

Link : ED#50 : Intel 45 nm Processors To Hit The Market Soon

What gives you the impression that Intels 45nm are so much better than upcoming Barcelona?

Surely you can't make that assumption yet.

[peaz]

perhaps because AMD has only so far talked but not showed anything yet till today.

[aussie FX]

Originally Posted by peaz

perhaps because AMD has only so far talked but not showed anything yet till today.

That's why it pays to not "assume" things.

[Chai]

AMD has been 'assuming' things as well. I know you are an AMD fanboi, but until Phenom is out, Intel C2Q is still the king of desktop processors, by far.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by aussie FX

What gives you the impression that Intels 45nm are so much better than upcoming Barcelona?

Surely you can't make that assumption yet.

The 45 nm Intel processors will not come with any architectural changes. It's just a die-shrink. But moving to 45 nm will reduce power consumption and cost, as well as allow for higher clock speeds (which is not really a problem for Core 2).

So, even if AMD is right and the Phenom X4/X2 is faster than the Core 2 Quad/Duo on a clock-to-clock basis, Intel can and probably will bury the Phenom by flooding the market with cheap Core 2 Quad/Duo processors running at much higher clock speeds.

Then again, we are assuming that whatever AMD claims is correct. Surprisingly, they refuse to announce the benchmark results until launch date.

[Chai]

Actually, 45nm will have some new added feature that might give some performance boost, SSE4. For some performance comparison, you can check the AT's http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...oc.aspx?i=3069

Well, prototype or not, at least it's not 'simulated benchmark'.

[Adrian Wong]

Oh yeah, forgot about that. But SSE4 won't be useful until developers start coding their games and applications for it.

In any case, the 45 nm processors do have other changes as well. Like high-k metal gates. Sorry if I gave the impression it was only a die-shrink. It's just that there's no major architectural change from the Core 2.