The Intel Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Extreme

The Intel Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Extreme are the latest processors from Intel that challenges the AMD AM2. Based on the Intel Core Microarchitecture design which replaces the old Netburst architecture, the Intel Core 2 will be the standard for desktop processors. We will not elaborate on the Core Microarchitecture as we have covered it here before. Some of them are EM64T, Virtualization Technology, and Execute Disable Bit. The release will also introduce LaGrande Technology, SSE4, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2). Two series will be available and they are the Core2 Duo and Core2 Extreme. In conjuction with this article, we have written three reviews of mainboards running the X6800 processor. The three boards uses 3 different chipsets - Intel 975x, 945P and VIA PT880Pro. Check out how they compare to an o/c AM2 4000+ (2.81GHz).

Intel CPU Core2Duo E4400

Intel CPU Core2Duo E4400 2x2GHz 800FSB LGA775 2MB cache Retail inc.Fan (3yr Manufacturers Warranty) The Intel® Core™2 Duo desktop processor delivers revolutionary dual-core performance and breakthrough processor energy efficiency.Based on the revolutionary Intel® Core™ Microarchitecture, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor has been developed for an increasingly multimedia-centered, high-definition world, and is designed to do more in less time.Intel Core 2 Duo processors operate at lower frequencies while producing higher performance compared to today’s higher frequency processors, thus enabling quieter and smaller desktop PCs.A platform based on the Intel® 965 Express Chipset family with an optimized memory engine for improved system performance, is the ideal compliment for the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This combination of processor and chipset brings an unparalleled level of performance to the desktop.

Pentium MMX

Soon, more choices were on the way. About the time the 166-MHz Pentiums shipped, Intel introduced MMX (Multimedia Extension) technology, designed to enhance performance of data-hungry applications like graphics and games. With larger data and code caches, Pentiums with MMX technology can run non-MMX-enhanced software approximately 10 to 20 percent faster than a non-MMX CPU with the same clock speed.

To reap the full benefits of the new processor, MMX-enhanced software makes use of 57 special multimedia instructions. These new MMX operators use a technology called SIMD (single-instruction multiple-data) stream processing. SIMD allows different processing elements to perform the same operations on different data—a central controller broadcasts the instruction to all processing elements in the same way that a drill sergeant would tell a whole platoon to "about face," rather than instruct each soldier individually.

The MMX chips also take advantage of dynamic branch prediction using the branch target buffer (BTB) to predict the most likely set of instructions to be executed.
The MMX Pentium processor is also more compatible with older 16-bit software than is the Pentium Pro; consequently, it soon doomed the Pro to the backwaters of PC computing. All later versions of the Pentium have incorporated some variation of MMX and improved on it. The original Pentium desktop line ended with the release of the 233-MHz MMX in June 1997.

Microprocessors

A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC) that contains a complete CPU on a single chip. In this lesson, we examine the microprocessor from its inception to the current state-of-the-art chip. It is important for a computer technician to understand the development of the processor and what makes each version different from its predecessors. This knowledge gives us an understanding of the enhancements each new design offers over earlier ones and how the system components can take advantage of the new features.

Fortunately, computer technicians aren't required to design microprocessors, only to understand how they work. Microprocessors can be viewed as little black boxes that provide answers or perform a variety of chores on command. We also need to understand the external data bus because it is the means by which the CPU accesses system resources.

Microprocessor Developments and Features

Microprocessor design grows more complex with each generation, and CPU packaging keeps changing to provide room for additional features and operating requirements. Microprocessors have evolved from the 4004 described earlier into today's high-speed Pentiums. Each new processor has brought higher performance and spawned new technology. Six basic elements are customarily used to gauge the performance and capability of a CPU design.

• Speed. The maximum number of clock cycles measured in MHz. The higher the speed, the quicker a command will be executed.

• Number of transistors. More switches means more computing power.

• Registers. The size (in bits) of the internal registers. The larger the registers, the more complicated the commands that can be processed in one step.

• External data bus. As data bus size increases, so does the amount and complexity of code (information) that can be transferred among all devices in the computer.

• Address bus. The size of the address bus determines the maximum amount of memory that can be addressed by the CPU.

• Internal cache. The internal cache is high-speed memory built into the processor. This is a place to store frequently used data instead of sending it to slower devices (speed is relative in computers) such as RAM and hard disk drives. It is built into the processor and has a dramatic effect on speed. We cover cache in more detail later in this lesson.

Intel has held most of the PC CPU market share since the original IBM PC was introduced. Closely following each new Intel launch, rivals such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Cyrix have offered alternative chips that are generally compatible with the Intel models. This development, in turn, drives prices down and spurs a new round of CPU design. Another player is Motorola, a firm that manufactures the microprocessors used in the Apple family of computers, among others.

Variations on a Theme: The Intel Celeron CPUs

As it had in the past, Intel faced competitors who sold CPUs with similar performance at lower prices. Most high-priced desktop computers and servers were sold with a Pentium of one sort or another, but home and entry-level PCs were another matter. Enter a variation of the SX concept—the Celeron.

Celeron models available in 500, 466, 433, 400, 366, and 333 MHz have expanded Intel processing into the market for computers selling for less than $1,200.

All the Intel Celeron processors are available in PGA packages. The versions operating at 433, 400, 366, 333, and 300 MHz are also available in single-edge processor packages (see Figure 4.12).

Key features include the following
• MMX media enhancement technology.
• Dynamic Execution Technology.
• A 32-KB (16-KB/16-KB) nonblocking, L1 cache for fast access to heavily used data.
• Celerons operating at 500, 466, 433, 400, 366, and 333 MHz include integrated 128-KB L2 cache.
• All Celeron processors use the Intel P6 microarchitecture's multitransaction system bus at 66 MHz. Processors at 766, 733, 700, 667, 633, 600, 566, 533, 500, 466, 433, 400, 366, and 333 MHz use the Intel P6 microarchitecture's multitransaction system bus with the addition of the L2 cache interface.
• Like the Pentium family, the Celerons offer multiple branch prediction, data-flow analysis, and speculative execution.

Intel® Centrino® with vPro™ Technology

Business takes you places-when it does, you want the best Intel®-based laptops for business with Intel® Centrino® with vPro™ technology. Combining remote manageability, unique hardware-assisted and proactive security features, and breakthrough mobile performance, these laptops provide reliability IT can trust, unleashed.
Unleash productivity with peace-of-mind built in
With Intel Centrino with vPro technology, you get a desktop experience in a sleek, light, and powerful business laptop.


Remote manageability providing IT with remote PC monitoring and the ability to diagnose and repair the PC even when the OS is off or unresponsive.¹

Broad industry support from leading manageability and security independent software vendors (ISVs) like Symantec, LANDesk, HP, Microsoft, and Cisco that take advantage of the Intel Centrino with vPro technology features.
Industry-standard management support for protocols such as WS-MAN and DASH² that are more capable and secure than ASF and enables secure communication between the console and the PC.
Industry-leading mobile dual-core performance so you can run multiple intensive applications at once without slowing down
Breakthrough battery life enabled by next-generation hafnium-infused 45nm Intel® Core™ microarchitecture
2x greater wireless range and up to 5x faster wireless with the optional integrated 802.11n wireless technologyΔ
Full Windows Vista* and Windows Aero* graphics without the expense of an external graphics card enabled by powerful Intel® Graphics Technology
Delivering bold benchmarks to business
Keep systems secure, maintain them more efficiently, and reduce your operating expenses with laptop PCs with Intel's hardware-based management technologies enabling a stable and reliable IT infrastructure. Check out the benchmarks:

Achieve up to 94 percent faster time to patch saturation³
Reduce hardware related desk-side visits by up to 50 percent³
Reduce software related desk-side visits by up to 75 percent³
Conduct hardware and software inventory up to 95 percent faster than manually per PC³

Intel Announces The Centrino 2 Platform

Today is a special day for Intel as it is the 5^thanniversary for the Centrino mobile platform and they are celebrating it with the launch of the Centrino 2 platform (Montevina). Intel started to design the Intel Centrino mobile platform in 1999 and for the time it was cutting edge as WiFi in 1999 was a just dream. When the Intel Centrino platform was launched in 2003 only 16% of notebooks contained Wireless technology (WiFi). Today over 95% of retail notebooks contain WiFi. With Centrino 2, Intel is planning for the future with a platform that is able to adapt to what we need in today’s marketplace.

Intel believes that social networking, user-generated content and visualization are the driving forces in the market today. What platform will bring these uses to the user? Intel believes the Centrino 2 platform will be the perfect match for consumers to bring these driving forces together.

Intel 1333FSB Processors Arrive - QX6850 and E6750

At the beginning of this week, Intel officially introduced their flagship Core 2 Extreme QX6850 quad-core processor to go along with the recently announced Core 2 Duo E6550, E6750 and E6850 series processors. While all these processors have different model numbers, they do have one thing in common, a new faster 1333MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) for improved performance that has replaced the old 1066MHz FSB. For overclockers this is nothing new as reaching a FSB of 1333MHz could easily be reached with the right hardware, but now with the introduction of the Intel P35 'Bearlake" chipset and upcoming X38 chipsets, a FSB of 1333MHz is now supported without 'overclocking' the system components. Other than Intel chipsets, third party chipset designers like NVIDIA also support these new 1333MHz FSB processors, giving consumers a multitude of boards to pick from when building a new system.

For our dedicated readers that came looking for our launch article a few days ago and didn't find it, please note that we were waiting on something to be sent to us before running all of our benchmarks. For these new 1333MHz processors we wanted to run them on the ASUS P5K3 Deluxe motherboard with latest and greatest DDR3 memory. Just this past week Kingston Technology announced a new HyperX kit that operates at 1333MHz with 5-7-5-15 timings and since none of the four brands of DDR3 have reviewed offer timings tighter than CL7 timings we made the move to wait. By chosing to wait, it delayed the article by several days, but by doing so improved the system's performance by a significant amount (greater than five percent in a number of cases).

Now that we are armed with the latest memory, chipsets and motherboard BIOS revisions, Legit Reviews will be covering both the new Core 2 Extreme QX6850 quad-core processor and the Core 2 Duo E6750 dual-core processor. Both offer the new 1333MHz FSB and are monsters when it comes to performance and overclocking as you are about to find out.

Intel® Xeon® Processor 5000/3000 Sequence

Breakthrough performance, energy efficiency, extended lifecycle support and common socket Intel Xeon processor-based systems make them the ideal choice for compute-intensive embedded, storage and communications applications.

Lower thermal design power (TDP) and higher Tcase temperature Intel Xeon processor options are ideal options for low power consumption and/or compliance with the AdvancedTCA* form factor and NEBS level-3 thermal specifications*.

Platform configurations

These processors are validated with two different chipsets, providing a choice of flexible, dual-processor-capable platforms for a wide range of applications. These include storage area networks (SANs), network attached storage (NAS), routers, IP-PBX, converged/unified communications platforms, sophisticated content firewalls, unified threat management (UTM) systems, medical imaging equipment, military signal and image processing, and telecommunications (wireless and wireline) servers.

• Intel® 5000P chipset-based platforms are ideal for full performance and memory-intense applications by providing a maximum FB-DIMM memory capacity of 64 GB, 28 lanes of PCI Express* and accelerated I/O options.
• Intel® 5100 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) chipset-based platforms are ideal for bladed and dense bladed applications requiring less than 200 watts, including AdvancedTCA and NEBS-compliance.

Intel® Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition

Conquer the world of extreme gaming with the fastest performing processor on the planet: the Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition.¹ With faster, intelligent multi-core technology that accelerates performance to match your workload, it delivers an incredible breakthrough in gaming performance.

But performance doesn't stop at gaming. You'll multitask 25 percent faster and unleash incredible digital media creation with up to 79 percent faster video encoding and up to 46 percent faster image rendering, plus incredible performance for photo retouching and editing.¹

In fact, you'll experience maximum performance for whatever you do, thanks to the combination of Intel® Turbo Boost technology² and Intel® Hyper-Threading technology (Intel® HT technology)³, which activates full processing power exactly where and when you need it most.

Product information

• 3.20 GHz core speed
• 8 processing threads with Intel® HT technology
• 8 MB of Intel® Smart Cache
• 3 Channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory

Features and benefits

Get extreme with your gaming and advanced multimedia.

Intel Core i7 processors deliver an incredible breakthrough in quad-core performance and feature the latest innovations in processor technologies:

• Intel® Turbo Boost technology maximizes speed for demanding applications, dynamically accelerating performance to match your workload-more performance when you need it the most.²
• Intel® Hyper-Threading technology enables highly threaded applications to get more work done in parallel. With 8 threads available to the operating system, multi-tasking becomes even easier.³
• Intel® Smart Cache provides a higher-performance, more efficient cache subsystem. Optimized for industry leading multi-threaded games.
• Intel® QuickPath Interconnect is designed for increased bandwidth and low latency. It can achieve data transfer speeds as high as 25.6 GB/sec with the Extreme Edition processor.
• Integrated memory controller enables three channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, resulting in up to 25.6 GB/sec memory bandwidth. This memory controller's lower latency and higher memory bandwidth delivers amazing performance for data-intensive applications.
• Intel® HD Boost significantly improves a broad range of multimedia and compute-intensive applications. The 128-bit SSE instructions are issued at a throughput rate of one per clock cycle, allowing a new level of processing efficiency with SSE4 optimized applications.

Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor

When you power your notebook with an Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor, you'll get the performance you need for today's mobile multitasking. Built on the breakthrough 45nm halfnium-based technology, the Intel® Core™2 Duo mobile processor gives you plenty of power to run many demanding applications simultaneously, whether at home, in the office, or on on-the-go.

Features and benefits

More multitasking power. Less power consumption. Ready for technology that increases your productivity? You'll get it with Intel® Core™2 Duo. Intel Advanced Smart Cache, up to 1066Mhz Front Side Bus, and Intel HD Boost ensure solid mobile performance for the latest applications. With Intel® Core™2 Duo, you'll do more and wait less.

• Intel® Intelligent Power Capability, designed to deliver more energy-efficient performance and smarter battery performance in your laptop
• Intel® Smart Memory Access, improving system performance by optimizing the use of the available data bandwidth
• Intel® Advanced Smart Cache, providing a higher-performance, more efficient cache subsystem. Optimized for multi-core and dual-core processors
• Intel® HD Boost, accelerating a broad range of applications, including HD and standard definition video, speech and image, photo processing, encryption, financial, engineering and scientific applications
• 25W Thermal Design Power (TDP), allows for thinner, lighter mainstream notebooks

Intel® Xeon® Processors LV and ULV

The Intel® Xeon® processor LV and Intel® Xeon® processor ULV are members of Intel’s growing product line of multi-core processors. Each dual-core processor combines the benefits of two high-performance execution cores with intelligent power management features to deliver significantly greater performance-per-watt over previous single-core Intel Xeon processor-based platforms. The dual-core/dual-processor capabilities are ideal for a wide range of low-power communications and embedded applications.

Product highlights Two complete execution cores in one processor package provide advancements in simultaneous computing such as multi-threaded applications and multi-tasking environments. Dual-core processing efficiently delivers performance while balancing power requirements High-performance front-side bus (FSB) provides dual-processor support for demanding high-performance, volume applications. Combined with dual-core processing, this supports up to four simultaneous threads on the system Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology allows a system to dynamically adjust processor voltage and core frequency, decreasing average power consumption and average heat production Intel® Smart Cache Design allows two execution cores to share 2 MB of L2 cache, reducing FSB traffic and enhancing system responsiveness

Intel® IXP465 Network Processor

The Intel® IXP465 network processor is a member of the Intel® IXP46X product line for SME communications and embedded networking applications. The Intel IXP465 network processor is an addition to the Intel® IXP4XX product line of network processors, and extends Intel XScale® technology into a broad range of applications that require communications functionality. The consistency of the Intel IXP4XX product line software and hardware architecture protects customers' development investments and speeds development of a standards-based product portfolio.

The highly integrated, single-chip design of the IXP465 network processor provides a unique combination of performance, reliability and flexibility. The IXP465 network processor combines Intel XScale technology with a variety of built-in communications features to support requirements for modular routers, security appliances, line cards for telecommunications infrastructure, industrial control and automation applications, interactive clients, test and instrumentation, RFID readers, and networked print imaging applications. The high-performance Intel XScale core provides processing headroom to flexibly support a broad range of OEM applications while minimizing power consumption. Integration of multiple 10/100 Ethernet interfaces and built-in hardware acceleration for time synchronization reduces overall system cost and simplifies development.

Intel Pentium M Processor

The Intel Pentium M processor utilizes a new microarchitecture to meet the current and future demands of high-performance, low-power embedded computing, making it ideal for medium-to-large enterprise communications applications, transaction terminal, interactive client, and industrial automation applications. While incorporating advanced processor technology, it remains software-compatible with previous members of the Intel microprocessor family.

The Intel Pentium M Processor on 0.13u process technology is validated with the Intel E7501 and Intel 855GME chipsets. The Intel Pentium M Processor on 90nm process technology is validated with the Intel E7501, 855GME, E7520, E7320 chipsets, Mobile Intel 915GME Express Chipset and Intel 3100 (see table for details). These unique platform combinations help address a variety of customer requirements.

Intel Celeron Processor 440

The Intel Celeron processor 440 balances proven technology with exceptional value for embedded computing designs such as print imaging, gaming, interactive clients, and industrial automation. Featuring Intel Intelligent Power Capability, it supports smaller, quieter, more energy-efficient embedded systems with improved performance over previous Intel Celeron processors.

Manufactured on 65nm process technology, the Intel Celeron processor 440 at 2.0 GHz offers 512 KB of L2 cache with a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 watts. Based on a new energy-efficient microarchitecture, this Celeron processor enables smaller and quieter embedded designs. It features Execute Disable Bit (for built-in security support) as well as Intel 64 architecture (Intel 64), enabling applications to access larger amounts of memory when used with appropriate 64-bit supporting hardware and software.

The Intel Celeron processor 440 is available in an LGA-775 package with integrated heat spreader. When combined with the Intel Q45 Express Chipset, Intel Q35 Express Chipset, Intel Q965 Express Chipset or Intel 3210 Chipset, the platform provides exceptional value with mid-range performance and reduced power.
Product information

BIOS products support latest Intel processor

Phoenix Technologies has announced support for the new energy-efficient 45nm Intel Core2 Duo Processor T9400 optimised for embedded applications.

Intel's new hafnium-based 45nm high-k silicon process technology enables even more processor performance by doubling transistor density and increasing cache size by up to 50%.

The Intel Core2 Duo processor T9400, validated with the Mobile Intel GM45 Express chipset, provides excellent processor and graphics performance, storage speed, system memory and reliability, making it ideal for a broad range of embedded applications.

Over the past year, Intel has used Phoenix's BIOS software on its reference boards.

Phoenix's firmware solutions provide complete support for current industry standards and initiatives.

"We are excited about the new Intel architecture-based processors with higher performance/power ratio for the evolving embedded market", said Dr Gaurav Banga, CTO and SVP of Engineering at Phoenix Technologies.

"We are pleased that Phoenix's world-class, standards-based firmware, alongside Intel's newest generation of embedded processors, will provide the optimal solution for high performance embedded systems".

"Through its direct relationships and extensive distributor network, Phoenix is committed to helping OEM and ODM customers bring the latest Intel technologies to life in a wide variety of exciting new embedded applications".

"The T9400 processor coupled with Phoenix's SecureCore and AwardCore BIOS products offers PC user performance on systems such as gaming and industrial automation platforms", said Joe Jensen, General Manager, Intel Embedded Computing Division.

Phoenix SecureCore and AwardCore for embedded applications are available now for the Intel Core2 Duo Processor T9400 with both the Mobile Intel GM45 Express chipset and the Intel 5100 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) chipset.

Intel Xeon Processor 5000 Sequence

Quad-Core and Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® processors for embedded computing platforms
Breakthrough performance, energy efficiency, extended lifecycle support and common socket Intel Xeon processor-based systems make them the ideal choice for compute-intensive embedded, storage and communications applications.
Lower thermal design power (TDP) and higher Tcase temperature Intel Xeon processor options are ideal options for low power consumption and/or compliance with the AdvancedTCA* form factor and NEBS level-3 thermal specifications These processors are validated with two different chipsets, providing a choice of flexible, dual-processor-capable platforms for a wide range of applications. These include storage area networks (SANs), network attached storage (NAS), routers, IP-PBX, converged/unified communications platforms, sophisticated content firewalls, unified threat management (UTM) systems, medical imaging equipment, military signal and image processing, and telecommunications (wireless and wireline) servers.
Intel® 5000P chipset-based platforms are ideal for full performance and memory-intense applications by providing a maximum FB-DIMM memory capacity of 64 GB, 28 lanes of PCI Express* and accelerated I/O options.

Intel Debuts 16 New Processors

The New STI cell processor

New Disclosures to Jump start Creation of Cell-based Applications Beyond Gaming
IBM, Sony and Toshiba release key documents describing fresh technical details of the revolutionary Cell Broadband Engine architecture.
Just as the cells in a body unite to form complete physical systems, a "Cell" architecture will allow all kinds of electronic devices (from consumer products to supercomputers) to work together, signaling a new era in Internet entertainment, communications and collaboration.In March 2001, Sony and Toshiba and IBM (STI) announced that they had teamed up to design an architecture for what is termed a system-on-a-chip (SoC) design. Code-named Cell, chips based on the architecture will be able to use ultra high-speed broadband connectivity to interoperate with one another as one complete system, similar to the way neural cells interoperate over the brain's network. IBM expects Cell to define an entirely new way of operating. Cell's underlying architecture will enable it to manifest itself into many forms for many purposes, helping to open up a whole new set of applications. Incorporating this architecture, chips will be developed for everything from handheld devices to mainframe computers.

Cell will take advantage of IBM's most advanced semiconductor development and process technologies. These cells will deliver high performance while consuming small quantities of power

IBM Processor AMD Opteron Model

This AMD Opteron processor option provides a highly scalable architecture that delivers next-generation performance as well as a flexible upgrade path from 32- to 64-bit computing. With a single architecture designed to meet current and future business needs, the AMD Opteron processor can help to minimize the integration complexities presented by current business environments and answer future business growth needs. This evolutionary processor provides a dramatic leap forward in compatibility, performance and investment protection and can help significantly reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) variable. The AMD Opteron processor is offered in three models, the 244, 246 and the 248, ranging in processor speeds and is supported by 1MB of L2 cache on all modelsSupports large memory addressability for data-intensive applications, allowing for optimal performance and improved productivity in your work environments. Flexibility Minimizes integration complexities by providing simultaneous high performance 32- and 64-bit computing Provides the flexibility and scalability for demanding enterprise-class applications. Provides flexibility with a scalable design, delivering the headroom needed for future applications. Investment Protection Provides lower cost of ownership, helping with long-term IT investment protection Provides an investment with a long-span potential thanks to the performance upgrade capabilities inherent in the AMD Opteron processor Allows you to better manage the transition cost and timing of your application suite's 64-bit migration.

Intel Pentium IV Processor

The Intel® Pentium® IV processor, Intel® Pentium® IV Processor with HT Technology¹, and Intel® Pentium® IV processor - M for embedded computing with Intel NetBurst® micro architecture deliver the performance you need to meet the growing demands of a new generation of leading-edge embedded products, with scalability that helps minimize your total cost of ownership.

Networking, communications and storage appliances, sophisticated interactive clients, industrial automation solutions, digital security surveillance platforms, and imaging devices impose heavy application demands, and these leading-edge embedded processors provide the performance headroom you need.
Rapid platform development is supported by the latest operating systems, applications and Intel® Architecture development tools, as well as a variety of validated reference designs from Intel. While incorporating Intel's most advanced embedded processor technologies, the Intel Pentium IV processor, Intel Pentium IV Processor with HT Technology, and Intel Pentium IV processor - M are software-compatible with previous Intel® Architecture processors.

Intel Pentium 4 EE (Extreme Edition) 840 Dual-Core & i955X

Platforms based on the Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition feature Hyper-Threading Technology† which allows each processor core to function as two logical processors enabling 4 thread functionality. Each logical processor has its own architecture state with its own set of general-purpose registers and control registers to provide increased system responsiveness in multitasking environments and headroom for next generation multithreaded applications.Platforms built around the Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition and the Intel 955X Express Chipset are an ideal solution for enthusiasts who crave the computing power for gaming, media management, content creation, and compute intensive applications.

Intel Unveils World’s Best Processor

"The Core 2 Duo processors are simply the best processors in the world," said Paul Otellini, president and CEO of Intel. "Not since Intel introduced the Pentium processor has the industry seen the heart of the computer reinvented like this. The Core 2 Duo desktop processor is an energy-efficient marvel, packing 291 million transistors yet consuming 40 percent lower power, while delivering the performance needed for the applications of today and tomorrow."The highly anticipated processor family already has very broad support with more than 550 customer system designs underway—the most in Intel’s history. Ultimately, tens of thousands of businesses will sell computers or components based on these processors.Intel has been shipping production-ready Intel Core 2 Duo processors for all segments in advance of today’s unveiling. Initial Intel Core 2 Extreme processor-based systems are now available from system manufacturers, resellers and integrators, including Intel Channel Partner Program members. Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor-based systems will be available beginning in early August. Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based notebooks will be available soon.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Review - Effortless Overclocking

Core 2 Duo E6300 processor was easy, just wait till you laid hands on the E6420 processor. It may not set new clock speed records, but it’s incredibly easy to tap on to its hidden potential and it may even cost less in total system cost!..Leading performance, low power consumption and heat output were the official reasons why the Intel Core 2 Duo processors are a hit with consumers, but unofficially, the processor’s knack for overclocking is as important a factor as its other credentials. In the enthusiast’s world, it’s all about performance and clock speeds and the ease of overclocking these processors with huge gains made them an instant hit with this voiceful group. This echo was soon picked up by the mainstream DIY’ers whose mission is to pack the most value for any amount spent. Obviously with the Core 2 Duo processors and their huge headroom, many have a chance to dabble in this art safely without much concern as well as bag notable performance improvements. Now who wouldn’t want that?Overclocking for notable improvements has never been as easy as it has been with the Intel Core 2 Duo E6420, and more so since it doesn’t require expensive supporting components. If you’re still sitting on the fence, it’s about time you try it out yourself too and enjoy the kicks.

AMD vs Intel: Quad and Dual-core Processors

The fastest dual-core and quad-core processors from AMD and Intel go head to head in this performance comparison at Digit-Life (Intel Core 2 Duo E8500; Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770; AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+; AMD Phenom X4 9850):The top processor from AMD is outscored by the top processor from Intel by 45%. There is actually nothing to comment on. We could have added "we have food for thought now". However, there is nothing much to think about.Do you want to know what clock rate the Phenom X4 must have to catch up with the existing Core 2 Extreme QX9770, even if we assume that Phenom performance grows strictly proportional to its clock rate? The current clock rate of the top Phenom is 2.5 GHz. The target clock rate (according to our total performance score) is 132/91*2.5=~3.6 GHz. So, in order to reach parity with Intel, AMD has to raise the clock rate by 1.1 GHz. Given Intel is not launching any faster processors that is.

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processors

The Intel® Pentium® 4 processor, Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology¹, and Intel® Pentium® 4 processor - M for embedded computing with Intel NetBurst® microarchitecture deliver the performance you need to meet the growing demands of a new generation of leading-edge embedded products, with scalability that helps minimize your total cost of ownership. Networking, communications and storage appliances, sophisticated interactive clients, industrial automation solutions, digital security surveillance platforms, and imaging devices impose heavy application demands, and these leading-edge embedded processors provide the performance headroom you need.

Rapid platform development is supported by the latest operating systems, applications and Intel® Architecture development tools, as well as a variety of validated reference designs from Intel. While incorporating Intel's most advanced embedded processor technologies, the Intel Pentium 4 processor, Intel Prentium 4 Processor with HT Technology, and Intel Pentium 4 processor - M are software-compatible with previous Intel® Architecture processors.

Intel® Pentium® III Processors

The Pentium® III processor is ideal for high performance applied computing. It supports highend communications, transaction terminal, and industrial automation applications. While incorporating new features and improvements, the Pentium III processor remains software compatible with previous members of the Intel microprocessor family.

The Pentium III processor is validated with multiple chipsets for maximum flexibility and scalability. Combined with the Intel 840 chipset, the Pentium III processor provides high performance and bandwidth including dual processing and a second PCI bus. The 815, 815E, 810 and 440BX chipsets provide a scalable platform supporting a wide selection of Celeron® and Pentium III processors ranging from 66 to 133 MHz processor side bus speeds. The 440BX AGPset supports ECC for the highest data integrity and ISA for legacy I/O. The Intel 815, 815E and 810 chipsets utilize Intel Graphics Technology, an integrated graphics platform which provides more stability, higher quality graphics and a reduced OEM bill of materials cost.

AMD Phenom™ Processor Family

TRUE Multi-Core processing
AMD Phenom™ processors feature an exceptional next-generation architecture designed to provide advanced multitasking performance for today’s more demanding PC users.
http://www.amd.com/gb-uk/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_15331,00.html

Intel Core2 Processor with vPro Technology

Designed from the ground up to empower IT while meeting the demanding needs of business, the Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology provides enhanced security, remote manageability, and industry–leading performance¹ so you can spend more time on strategic initiatives while reducing PC issues and downtime.²

Learn more about PCs with Intel® vPro™ technology
Take business PCs to the next level with PCs with Intel® vPro™ technology (PDF 1.72MB)
White paper: Intel® Centrino® with vPro™ Technology and Intel® Core™2 Processor with vPro™ Technology (PDF 2.32MB)
Enhanced security and manageability features
Offering hardware-assisted security and manageability features built on the chip, PCs with Intel Core 2 processor with vPro technology allow IT to:

Remotely isolate, diagnose, and repair infected PCs, even if the OS is unresponsive and outside of the corporate firewall²
Get added protection against viruses, attacks, and unsolicited tampering enabled by agent presence checking and hardware defense filters³
Program PCs to connect automatically to receive software updates and patches even if the PC is asleep or powered down and without effecting the PC user
Conduct hardware and software inventory up to 94 percent faster², saving on IT time and resources while maintaining accurate asset inventory. Having up-to-date licenses helps to ensure that you're only paying fees for software you're actually using
Get broad industry support from leading manageability and security independent software vendors (ISVs) such as Symantec, LANDesk, HP, Microsoft, Cisco, and more that take advantage of the hardware-assisted benefits built into Intel Core 2 processors with vPro technology
Industry-leading performance¹
Delivering next-generation performance and energy efficiency, PCs with Intel Core 2 processor with vPro technology allow IT to:

Decrease energy requirements without compromise to performance with Intel Core 2 processor with vPro technology based on next-generation hafnium-based 45nm Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, offering reduced electrical current leakage, and increased performance while meeting ENERGY STAR*φ requirements

Intel prepares six-core Xeon

Quad-core and Octo-core might be the current next-gen craze for desktops and servers, but Intel seems wants to pitch a line of CPUs in-between as well. Intel will be adding on to their Xeon lineup with the “Dunnington” core later this year, a CPU that will have a total of six cores under the hood.

Dunnington, which was announced three years ago, is intended to be an enterprise-class chip and will feature 3MB of shared L2 cache per pair of cores, and shared 16MB L3 cache. According to the leaked slides, it'll use the 'somewhat dated' 1066MHz FSB, and is probably aimed at preventing the Opteron from regaining any ground once AMD gets back on their feet.

Intel prepares new mobile platform, Centrino 2,

Everything seems to indicate that Intel will be pushing a new mobile platform later this year that will succeed the very popular and successful Centrino. A number of online publications are betting on the "Centrino 2" name for the upcoming mobile platform that will likely boost small CPUs ranging from 1.2GHz to 2.4GHz manufactured using a 45nm process, plus a performance range that will scale up to 2.80 GHz. New chipsets are also incoming with an updated graphics core said to double the performance from the current X3100 GPU. Among networking choices, it is expected that WiMax will make a big debut in flagship laptop models. This latter technology has received astounding support from manufacturers, but adoption has been extremely slow in the consumer market.

Intel shows off 80-core processor

Chief Technical Officer Justin Rattner demonstrated the processor in San Francisco last week for a group of reporters, and the company will present a paper on the project during the International Solid State Circuits Conference in the city this week.

The chip is capable of producing 1 trillion floating-point operations per second, known as a teraflop. That's a level of performance that required 2,500 square feet of large computers a decade ago.

Intel first disclosed it had built a prototype 80-core processor during last fall's Intel Developer Forum, when CEO Paul Otellini promised to deliver the chip within five years. The company's researchers have several hurdles to overcome before PCs and servers come with 80-core processors--such as how to connect the chip to memory and how to teach software developers to write programs for it--but the research chip is an important step, Rattner said.

Intel used 100 million transistors on the chip, which measures 275 millimeters squared. By comparison, its Core 2 Duo chip uses 291 million transistors and measures 143 millimeters squared. The chip was built using Intel's 65-nanometer manufacturing technology, but any likely product based on the design would probably use a future process based on smaller transistors. A chip the size of the current research chip is likely too large for cost-effective manufacturing.

The computing elements are very basic and do not use the x86 instruction set used by Intel and Advanced Micro Devices' chips, which means Windows Vista can't be run on the research chip. Instead, the chip uses a VLIW (very long instruction word) architecture, a simpler approach to computing than the x86 instruction set.

Intel's new budget Celeron processor

Intel's new budget Celeron processor line will this year gain the Intel equivalent of an AMD64-like 64-bit addressing system - EM64T.

The roadmaps reveal that Q2 will witness the debut of EM64T-equipped desktop Celerons with model number 326, 331, 336, 341, 346 and 351, clocked at 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, 2.93, 3.06 and 3.2GHz, respectively. It is believed that the Socket 775 parts will replace today's 775-pin Celerons.

Furthermore, Intel's dual-core Pentium 4 processor, 'Smithfield', is now in production. We should see a launch of that chip in Q2 of this year.

In other Intel news, the chipmaker today showed the world a glimpse of the future of its Itanium processor family. The new model, codenamed Poulson, will succeed Tukwila, an Itanium processor due in 2007 that had previously been code-named Tanglewood. This is confirmation that Intel has long term plans for the Itanium.

Intel Celeron Processor for Notebooks

Intel Celeron Processor, A lifetime of computing starts here.
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