X-bit labs

Intel to Describe Next-Generation Micro-Architecture at IDF.

Category: CPU

by Anton Shilov

[ 03/01/2006 | 09:47 PM ]

Intel Corp. will describe in details its next-generation micro-architecture for x86 microprocessors at the upcoming Intel Developer Forum (IDF) that kicks off next week, according to the company’s plans. While not many sessions will be dedicated to the new technology, the world’s largest chipmaker has already said that the new chips will be 20% faster their counterparts from Advanced Micro Devices.

Claims reportedly made by Mooly Eden, who is vice president and general manager of Intel’s mobile platforms group, suggest that Intel’s code-named Conroe and Merom processors would deliver performance advantage of at least 20% when compared to speed of AMD processors planned to be released in the second half of 2006.

“We believe we’ll be able to open a major gap with the new processors,” Mr. Eden is reported to have said about performance difference with AMD processors. “It will take at least a year and a half to two years to close such a gap.”

All the peculiarities of the next-generation micro-architecture (NGMA) are not clear at the moment. Though, from various official statements and unofficial information leaks, it can be summarized that the new micro-architecture will utilize shorter pipeline and high performance per clock ratio. The new processors will feature 14-stages pipeline, down from 31 or more stages found in current Intel Pentium (Prescott) designs, 4-issue out-of-order execution engine as well as improved performance of the floating-point unit (FPU). Initially, Intel will offer desktop processors clocked from 1.86GHz to 2.93GHz, but later on the clock-speed should improve. Also, the new chips and platforms on their base will also feature capabilities like virtualization, LaGrande technology, x86-64 in addition to EDB, EIST and iAMT2.

According to Intel, the combination of the architectural changes, large cache of up to 4MB and fast processor system bus of up to 1333MHz will allow the world’s largest chipmaker to claim victory over the smaller rival, the chipmaker believes. But one thing that the new processors from Intel will lack is built-in memory controller, something that conditions AMD’s consistent wins in benchmarks.

An executive from AMD, who is going to introduce processors with dual-channel DDR2 memory controller later this year, said he did not expect Intel’s processors to be 15% - 20% faster compared to the Athlon 64 and Turion 64 products.