by Anna Filatova
08/12/2002 | 11:42 PM
However paradoxical this may sound, but Intel reps confirmed in an unofficial conversation that the support of new HyperThreading technology will be implemented in Pentium 4 processors before the end of this year.
As you remember, the main idea of this technology implies that two threads of calculations can be processed in parallel by one and the same CPU without constant switching between them. To put it in simpler words, we can say that one CPU with HyperThreading technology acts just like a dual-processor SMP system. Anyway, you should bear in mind that the second thread of calculations can be processed by the CPU only if it has free computing units, that is why it would be incorrect to claim that a CPU with HyperThreading support is completely equivalent to a dual-processor SMP system. Nevertheless, those applications, which know to create several independent calculations threads will work much faster in case of a CPU with HyperThreading support rather than in a system with one regular processor. HyperThreading has already been tested in Xeon processors, as they have been using this technology since the beginning of this year. The results show that the performance boost granted by this technology can reach 15%.<%BANNER[article]%>
At first it was implied that HyperThreading support will come to desktop processors only when Pentium 4 moves to a new 0.09micron Prescott core. However, time passed and Intel’s plans changed. It is no secret for anyone now that HyperThreading technology has already been implemented in the today’s Pentium 4 CPUs based on Northwood core as well as in those based on the older Willamette one from the very beginning. About 5-10% of the die size is intended for transistors implementing this technology. However, so far HyperThreading is disabled in Pentium 4 and Intel doesn’t seem to hurry enabling it waiting for a better moment to come. Now it looks as if this moment were at the threshold already.
HyperThreading will be enabled in Pentium 4 processors starting from 3.06GHz core clock frequency. These CPUs built on the 0.13micron Northwood core are planned to arrive in Q4 this year. Then all Pentium 4 processors working at over 3GHz core clock will feature HyperThreading. It is valid not only for Pentium 4 Northwood 3.2GHz due in Q2 2003, but also for all processors based on 0.09micron Prescott core, which are due in H2 2003.
As far as the mobile Pentium 4-M CPUs are concerned, they are not planned to acquire HyperThreading support.