Intel will introduce a family of three processors in the
second half of 2006 to flesh out its multi-core strategy for
notebooks, desktops and servers.
Multi-core chips,
where more than one processor core is embedded in a processor, is
becoming an increasing focus in Intel's development strategy to
improve chip performance. Multi-core chips will allow users to
deploy servers and desktops that not only run faster but also
consume less electricity, Intel said.
The company has already put two processing cores onto a single
piece of silicon in its Pentium Extreme and Pentium D lines, and it
plans a dual-core Itanium processor - Montecito - later this
year.
"Multi-core enables us to deliver continued performance without the
power penalties that we saw in the gigahertz approach," said Intel
chief executive Paul Otellini.
The new processors for 2006 are codenamed Merom, Conroe and
Woodcrest. Merom, the notebook processor, updates the Yohan mobile
processor that Intel is due to release this year as part of its
Napa mobile computing platform.
On the desktop, Conroe will supersede the Presler processor due for
release in the first half of next year. It will move desktop power
consumption to 65 watts.
On the server, the Xeon-class Woodcrest processor will cut power
consumption by 40% and will support dual-CPU configurations, Intel
said.
The dual-core Merom mobile processor will deliver three times the
performance per watt over the original 2003 Banias chip, according
to Intel. The Conroe desktop processor will boost the performance
per watt fivefold over its Northwood predecessor, introduced three
years ago.
Through the chipmaker's drive to lower electricity consumption, in
2006, notebooks will be able to run at five watts, according to
Intel.
"Performance per watt is obvious for things you carry along with
you - you want higher performance and longer battery life. But
increasingly it is essential for things beyond mobility," said
Otellini.
