Intel Shifts Future Core® Processors Into Turbo Mode
Latest Processors, Mobile Platforms and Technologies Showcased at IDF
In his Intel Developer Forum keynote today, Pat Gelsinger detailed the roadmap for Intel’s continued march toward
pervasive, higher performance and power efficient computing. The senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s
Digital Enterprise Group discussed new features of the company’s next-generation processor family including a new turbo
mode that shifts the processor into a higher gear for mind-blowing performance without a heat penalty.
The company’s first desktop PC chips branded Intel Core i7 processors and initial energy-efficient, high-performance
server products (codenamed “Nehalem-EP”) will be first to production. Intel is also planning to manufacture a second
server derivative designed for the expandable sever market (“Nehalem-EX”), and desktop (“Havendale” and “Lynnfield”) and
mobile (“Auburndale” and “Clarksfield”) client versions in the second half of 2009.
“Our engineers have put together an incredible processing family here that will include a tremendous amount of new
processor features all centred on delivering faster computer performance and terrific energy efficiency,” Gelsinger
said.
The next-generation Core microarchitecture also features Intel Hyper-Threading Technology* delivering up to 8-threaded
performance capability on 4 cores in the initial versions and best-in-class memory bandwidth thanks to the new QuickPath
Interconnect. QuickPath is a technology that connects processors, chipsets and memory together, and delivers up to three
times the memory bandwidth of previous generation Core microarchitecture solutions.
The new Intel Xeon processor X7460 with 6 cores and 16MB L3 cache for expandable servers launching in September has
already broken multiple performance world records1. An 8-socket IBM System x 3950 M2 server became the first platform to
break the 1 million tpmC barrier on the TPC-C benchmark. New 4-Socket performance records include TPC-C on HP Proliant
DL580 G5, TPC-E on Dell PowerEdge R900, SPECjbb 2005 on Sun Fire X4450 and SPECint_rate2006 on Fujitsu-Siemens PRIMERGY
RX600 S4.
Gelsinger also discussed the industry’s first many-core Intel Architecture (IA) based design, codenamed “Larrabee.”
Expected in 2009 or 2010, the first product based on Larrabee will target the personal computer graphics market, support
DirectX and OpenGL, and run today’s games and programs. Larrabee is expected to kick start an industry-wide effort to
create and optimise software for the dozens, hundreds and thousands of cores expected to power future computers.
The Intel executive also outlined Intel’s vision for the next wave of the Internet, called the Embedded Internet.
Emerging markets in the embedded computing space such as IP networking and security, video intelligence, medical,
in-vehicle infotainment and home automation can greatly benefit from the always-on Internet connectivity. Gelsinger said
that this area is another growth opportunity for Intel and the high-tech industry, and predicted that there will be 15
billion devices connected to the Internet as a result of the rapid rise of the embedded internet.
Where Will Mobile Computing’s “On-the-Go, Go?”
Showing the breadth and health of Intel’s next-generation processors, David (Dadi) Perlmutter, executive vice president
and general manager of Intel’s Mobility Group today demonstrated the first working laptop platform codenamed “Calpella.”
“Calpella will redefine how we compute on-the-go by giving users a stunning new computing visual experience, better
manageability and security, enhanced turbo mode features and evolutionary power management for notebooks,” said
Perlmutter. “It is all about dramatic mobile performance without compromise.”
New Mobile Processors Unveiled
Building on the recent Intel Centrino 2 launch for notebook PCs in July, Perlmutter unveiled Intel’s first-ever
mobile-focused quad-core laptop workstation – the Intel Core 2 Extreme processor. While the products include four cores,
they only use 45 watts of power.
Perlmutter also introduced the company’s second-generation dual-core mobile processors for increasingly popular ultra
thin and light notebook PCs.
He also outlined upcoming mobile platform enhancements including the Intel High-Performance SATA Solid-State Drive
product line for faster system responsiveness, lower power consumption and rugged, reliable operation and available
later this year, Intel Anti-Theft Technology, which features intelligent hardware-based detection and response
mechanisms that enable IT managers or service providers to disable the platform and/or access to data in case of loss or
theft.
WiMAX Connecting Soon
Emerging WiMAX 4G networks around the world will be connecting the plethora of mobile platforms and devices, and
specifically within the United States where Sprint XOHM* plans to turn on its first citywide network in Baltimore in
September. Globally, more than 400 WiMAX trials and networks2 extend the richness of the mobility experience. Perlmutter
also announced that Dell has now joined other computer-makers such as Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Panasonic, and Toshiba as
publicly committing to include the Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5050 Series module to future laptop product lines.
Barrett: “Get involved”
During the conference’s opening keynote, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett applauded the developer community for technology
innovations that contributed to unimagined advances in entertainment and business productivity during the past 40 years.
He said the impact of their work is borderless and challenged them to collaborate and use their technology expertise to
inspire and empower the billions of people who have recently joined the world’s free economic system.
“Technology is a tool to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges related to health care, education,
economic development and the environment,” said Barrett, who also chairs a United Nations initiative on technology in
the developing world. “No nations or individuals are untouched by these issues. Get involved. Be part of the solution.”
Barrett also announced that Intel will award four $100,000 prizes to the most innovative ideas for applying technology
to meet unmet needs related to education, health care, economic development and the environment. Ideas will be evaluated
for sustainability and innovativeness of the solution. More details on the INSPIRE•EMPOWER Challenge are available at
www.intelchallenge.com.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of their respective owners. SPEC, SPECint, SPECfp, SPECrate,
SPECweb, SPECjbb are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. See: http://www.spec.org for more
information on the benchmarks.
Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific computer systems and/or components and reflect the approximate
performance of Intel products as measured by those tests. Any difference in system hardware or software design or
configuration may affect actual performance. Buyers should consult other sources of information to evaluate the
performance of systems or components they are considering purchasing. For more information on performance tests and on
the performance of Intel products, visit www.intel.com/performance/resources/limits.htm or call (U.S.) 800-628-8686 or
916-356-3104.
1 World record claims based on comparison using published results as of August 19, 2008 on x86 architecture based
4-socket or 8-socket systems as appropriate. Configuration Details: Details of performance results and configuration
information posted at http://www.intel.com/performance/server/xeon_mp/summary.htm.
2 Source: www.wimaxcounts.com Maravedis, 2008.
ENDS