It's IT Blogwatch: in which Intel releases its new, hafnium-gated Penryn processors. Not to mention error'd weather...
Sharon Gaudin socks it to us:
Intel Corp.'s new 45-nanometer chip for the desktop, part of the newly released Penryn family, should give gamers, researchers and serious multitaskers a significant performance boost ... The release of Intel's Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor came as part of a larger release of Penryn processors, including 15 server dual-core and quad-core 45nm Hi-k Intel Xeon processors. To make the move from 65nm to 45nm processors, Intel designed a new transistor, stemming leakage and improving energy efficiency. [more]
Sam Churchill adds:
In addition to increasing computer performance and saving energy use, these processors also eliminate lead and, in 2008, halogen materials. Intel said the new transistor formula alleviates the wasteful electricity leaks that threaten the pace of future computer innovation ... the first to use Intels Hafnium-based high-k metal gate (Hi-k) formula. [more]
Jon "Hannibal" Stokes digs deeper:
In keeping with Intel's typical practice of introducing a new core at the server level and moving it down into the consumer and mobile categories, almost all of the processors are Xeons with frontside bus speeds of either 1333 or 1600. The one exception is the new enthusiast-oriented Core 2 Extreme ... clockspeed boosts combine with various microarchitectural improvements to give the new Xeons a clear edge in most application domains ... Intel also launched the three new chipsets. [more]
Simon Barrett lays down the law:
The one constant in the world of computer technology is change. Intel in their quest to maintain Moores Law have now moved into the production phase of the 45nm processor ...
The boost in performance should be very significant, in fact even Windows Vista should run relatively well ... Of course raw power is one thing, software being able to use the multi core in a sensible way is something completely different. [more]
Arnold Kim drools:
While they did introduce a Core 2 Extreme Qx9750 quad-core processor with SSE4, our attention has focused on Intel's new Xeon processors ... Apple has been rumored to be buying up the high end 3.2GHz Penryn Xeon processors which feature a faster 1600MHz bus and 12MB of L2 cache for an upcoming Mac Pro revision. Apple currently uses the 5100 Xeon Woodcrest (Quad core Macs) or 5300 Xeon Clovertown (8-core Macs) processors. [more]
Thomas Ricker:
Right on schedule, we've got 16 new server and high-end desktop processors ... [which] all deliver more power from less juice while eliminating lead for a more eco-friendly impact over time. The QX9650 desktop proc receives the spotlight, again, as does the "world-record" setting performance of a 3.2GHz quad-core Xeon 5400 "Stoakley" proc with a 1600MHz front side bus and 12MB cache ... some of the new processors will be available today inside pre-built systems. [more]
Chris Morrell boggles:
No matter what, these new processors are positively ridiculous with some benchmarks already available showing 6GHz operating frequencies. While these server chips wont be what youll see in your desktop, the LGA775 version of them will be launching in Q1 08 with prices similar that are a bit cheaper than the server X54xx chips. Ive got to admit Im rather excited for the replacement for the Q6600 which I believe is the Q9450 processor with a 2.66GHz processor speed and an estimate price around $300. [more]
Mike Magee tries to get away with this awful headline:
Yes, we hafnium no bananas ... You are probably wondering what this means. What it means for sure is that Intel's confidence about being able to produce chips at 45 nanometres is correct. It also means that Intel is one and half process generations ahead of AMD. And it means that server chips are probably going to get cheaper, which can't be good news for AMD's bottom line. [more]
And finally...
Buffer overflow:
- All about Microsoft: Microsoft to ship Windows Server 2008, over time, in eight flavors
- Between the Lines: IBM takes out Cognos for $5 billion
- VentureBeat: Al Gore joins Kleiner Perkins as a partner to push green investments
- Mike Masnick: The Latest Patent Suit Against Google
- Eric Bangeman: Ex-AT&T employee: NSA snooping Internet traffic too
- Ken Fisher: Google announces $10 million contest for Android devs, "early look" SDK
Other Computerworld bloggers:
- Mitch Betts: Debate: Will traditional IT departments be extinct by 2012?
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Robert L. Mitchell: Japanese ditch PCs for smart phones, big-screens TVs
-
Douglas Schweitzer: Who is ready to make the switch this holiday season?
Richi Jennings is an independent analyst/adviser/consultant, specializing in blogging, email, and spam. A 20 year, cross-functional IT veteran, he is also an analyst at Ferris Research. You too can pretend to be Richi's friend on Facebook, or just use boring old email: blogwatch@richi.co.uk.
Previously in IT Blogwatch:
- Nigerian flip-flop: Linux or Windows for schools? (and Grant vs. Google)
- Proof that Microsoft and Eolas love each other (and bra-bra-bra-bra-bra-Brazil)
- Whole Foods Market locks stable door after horse bolts (and woofski!)