Got Cores?

A lot of people have asked the question, "What kind of processor do they really need in their new system?" The answer comes down to what you intend to do with that new system. If the system will be used primarily for checking emails, surfing the web, downloading audio and video content, then you don't need the latest Quad cores out.

If you like having the extra CPU power to spread out the system's performance and/or plan to do things such as encoding or decoding audio and video, managing large files, moving a lot of data, or creating 3D content, then you should definitely consider a more capable quad core. Obviously, the faster the Quad processor, the quicker the task completion.

The latest processors on the shelves are naturally the LGA 775 QX 45nm Wolfdale (dual core) and Yorkfield (dual Wolfdales) desktop series built around the Penryn cores. The Harpertowns are essentially a Yorkfield-J which come in an LGA 771 socket. The Penryns are the current top Quad Extreme processors that most serious users and content creators are buying up like hot cakes. These processors have proven themselves to be extremely capable and overclockable.

Penryn 45nm

Speaking of Penryn, you may have noticed the newly included performance CPU cooler coming with the newest Quad Core Extremes. It's a pretty beefy cooler with a blue LED fan. At full speed, it kicks up about 35 db which isn't too bad at all. It won't quite keep up with something like the Tuniq or Noctua heat pipe CPU coolers, but it's much better than the old stock coolers.

I can can just hear the next questions. Did I see Nehalem and how fast is it? Yes, it's being tested and validated on the new platform. But, unfortunately, no details can be divulged as of yet. Believe me, we'd love to say more and show you a picture or two, but Intel wants to fine tune the platform before divulging any more information. And besides, I really don't want to help any industrial technological "borrowers" in their own endeavors.

Intel did explain the new Nehalem processor in finer details. What you may already know is Nehalem will be used in Notebooks, Desktops, and Servers. It will have the long awaited integrated on-die memory controller that is connected to each core via Simultaneous Multi-Threads. Nehalem will come in 2 to 8 Cores with up to 16 Threads feeding the bandwidth, depending on the core. There will be a large L3 cache up to 8MB that will be shared by all the cores.

QPI (QuickPath Interconnect) one ups AMD's Hyper Transport. The biggest differences are that QPI connects the memory controller to 3 channels of memory instead 2. The fastest Nehalem's QPI will transfer just over 25GB/s. Tri-Channel memory interface should really equate in to better performance. I have my own speculation that a Quad-Channel memory interface could follow. The on-die memory controller means there won't be a need for the MCH chipset on the new socket platforms.

Also worth noting. You can expect a similar Integrated Memory Controller interface to be used in the Tukwila and Dunnington processors. It will be some time before we see anything in this respect, but it should give server professionals something to look forward to.

Another new Intel endeavor is the new Atom processor. It's aimed at the 'micro' micro-processor market weighing in almost next to nothing and far smaller than a penny. It's benefits are better, low powered, computing in whatever electronic devices you're fortunate enough to buy containing one of the capable little monsters.

These Atom processors will arrive in a 4 watt Single core and an 8 watt Dual core model. You just might find them in cell phones, PDAs, A/V devices, and other electronics that can benefit from really low power consumption. What ever you find them in, it's going to be pretty sweet.

System integrators and IT masters get out your PDAs. I've got a new word that should interest you, VPro. VPro is in it's 5th generation and is a feature supported by Intel desktop, mobile, and server processors and motherboards. It's also supported by some of the biggest IT specialists.

In a nutshell, VPro makes updating, patching, and fixing computer issues easier since the administrator can safely handle them all remotely. This is especially useful when a company spans several floors and buildings, even different states!

Most of the work no longer requires the tech to use valuable time by . This means down times are reduced greatly, patches installed more successfully, and client issues resolved quickly thanks to a computer network that shares VPro technology.

It also makes it easier for the network administrators to keep track of every client on the network. No more random incursions or unknown clients breaching the network spreading viri or compromising software. The cost effectiveness of having an entire network built around this feature alone, should make your IT department want to reconsider buying up all those different "bulk special" client end systems.

Too bad they don't have a home version so we can quickly fix our children's computers damaged by all the "free" ware out there. The golden rule is, if it's "free" then chances are that the file contains other "free features" that infect your PC. Still, it would really cool being able to handle the home systems and even systems owned by computer challenged relatives.

Common IT infrastructures

An IT infrastructure on VPRO

If you'd like to see VPro in a little more detail, check out this little VPro Page for a Demo.

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