Intel details its Core architecture

Intel reveals more details about its next generation Core architecture

Intel has disclosed further details of its next-generation Core architecture that will feature in its chips from the second half of 2006.

The new micro-architecture will enable software consistency across server, desktop and laptop platforms, according to the firm, in addition to delivering greater performance while at the same time cutting power consumption.

The Core architecture will feature in the Merom, Conroe and Woodcrest processors in the second half of this year, aimed at laptops, desktops and servers, respectively. Intel has yet to announce the official brand names for these chips.

Because the Core architecture covers all three market segments, it provides software consistency that will benefit developers and customers, according to Intel.

"New applications can target a single chip architecture, so the code will be the same whether in a laptop, server, or whatever," said Jack Doweck, lead architect at the firm's Architecture Group.
The Core architecture melds some of the successful ideas from Intel's mobile chips with those of the Netburst architecture used in the Pentium 4 line, but also adds some new ingredients, Doweck said.

Intel's Conroe desktop chip will provide a 40 percent increase in performance with a 40 percent reduction in power consumption compared to today's Pentium chips, while Woodcrest for two-way servers and workstations will give an 80 percent performance boost and a 35 percent power cut, said Intel.

Merom in laptops "will not deliver vastly increased battery life", Doweck said, because current chips have similar power-saving features. However, users can expect to see a 20 percent performance increase.

The Core architecture has five key features: Wide Dynamic Execution, which allows at least four instructions per cycle; Advanced Digital Media Boost, which doubles the throughput of SSE multimedia instructions; Smart Memory Access, to prefetch data ready for processing; an Advanced Smart Cache that is dynamically shared between the two processor cores; and Intelligent Power Capability with ultra-fine-grained power control for more energy efficiency.

All the Core architecture chips will be dual-core, but quad-core chips will be introduced in 2007, starting with Clovertown for two-way servers and workstations, plus Kentsfield for desktops, Intel said.