According to DailyTech web-site, Intel’s promising next-generation processors, also known under codenames Merom and Conroe, will support SSE4 instructions, which will be optimized for work with video and graphics. It is no secret that Conroe processors will be a part of the next generation VIIV multimedia platform, so it makes perfect sense to optimize them for video processing tasks. However, there is no mention of the SSE4 term, according to the info available these days. The only thing they are currently talking about is the "Significant Video Enhancements". And this doesn’t necessarily have to be connected with the new SIMD instructions set.

The chipsets targeted for the same platforms will also undergo significant modifications. The new core logic sets from the x965 (Broadwater) series will not only acquire HDMI interface support, but will also learn to process high-frequency video signal. As a response to ATI’s Avivo, Intel is planning to introduce Clear Video Technology – a set of tools improving the video signal decoding process, enhancing post-processing procedures and accelerating 3D graphics processing. The latter function will become very handy when Windows Vista comes out, as this new OS will boast advanced graphics interface.

By the way, on March 7 2006, during the Spring IDF 2006, we are going to finally find out what trademark for the upcoming Conroe processors. They will also disclose additional details about the notorious "Significant Video Enhancements" at the same event.