pure roon

Quote

Intel’s first next processors based on its next-generation ‘Nehalem’ architecture are due to appear a year from now, in Q4 2008. But the really interesting models will arrive during the first half of 2009: desktop and mobile CPUs with integrated graphics cores.

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Lynnfield is a quad-core part, again with HT to allow it to operate as eight cores, and with 8MB of L2. It too supports DDR 3, but only in a dual-channel configuration, the report indicates. The CPU’s on-board PCI Express controller allows it to link directly to a x16 graphics card, while its I/O chip, ‘Ibexpeak’, connects by DMI (Direct Media Interface).

The same architecture will be used by ‘Cleaksfield/Clarksfield’ - there’s some confusion over the name - the Nehalem-era mainstream quad-core part. However, this chip uses a 989-pin rPGA interconnect.

So too wil ‘Auburndale’, while is said to be a mobile chip, implying that Cleaksfield/Clarksfield is too. Auburndale is a dual-core product - HyperThreading makes it appear as a quad-core chip to the operating system - with 4MB of L2 and dual-channel DDR 3 support.

Like Cleaksfield/Clarksfield it will use PCI Express as its system bus to connect to a discrete GPU. But this will be optional: Auburndale will sport an integrated GPU of its own, along with a directly connected video memory buffer.

I can’t wait! Faster data rates between CPU and GPU are required for better performance so putting the GPU right next to the CPU should open a few doors.