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Intel Plans for Dual-Core Prescott CPUs in 2005

scapermoya writes "X-Bit Labs is reporting that Intel is planning to step up their introduction of dual-core processors, with the first chips to hit the market in late 2005. Intel announced this plan at the Technology for Business Today seminar, held in Washington, D.C. Looks like NetBurst is sticking around, despite what we have heard lately about a move toward the 'M' architecture. Supposedly, thanks to HyperThreading, the OS will see 4 installed processors. Snazzy."

9 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. It's not even real?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    UPDATE: A representative for Intel Corporation told X-bit labs the company had never released any precise details in regards the dual-core strategy. The information published herein should not be considered as based on official statements.

    WTF?

  2. Ars by ViceClown · · Score: 5, Informative

    Ars is covering this too. Ken Fisher makes it a point to mention that the person who made the claims is in marketing. He also speculates, quite logically, that bringing out dual core Prescotts in '05 would be a feat even for Intel. Worth reading for a more sobering take on the situation.

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  3. Re:Windows Licencing by afidel · · Score: 5, Informative

    XP Pro understands hyperthreading fine, and in fact will work with a machine with dual hyperthreading CPU's. What won't work is 2k Pro. Also note that 2k3 server standard reduced the max number of physical CPU's to two for standard edition whereas it had been 4 in previous iterations of NT. Btw don't use hyperthreading on win2k even if you have enough processor licenses because it will balance evenly across the hyperthreading CPU's not realizing that they are really there for spare capacity and hence trash the instruction cache.

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  4. Re:Windows Licencing by qodfathr · · Score: 5, Informative

    Licensing is for physical processors only. So, even today, if you have 2 physical CPUs with hyperthreading, you are compliant. Task Manager will show 4 CPUs, but the OS can determine that only 2 are physical.

    I suspect, however, that a dual-core CPU will be treated as 2 physical cpus...(+2 virtual CPUs)

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  5. Re:200 Watts? by NubKnacker · · Score: 5, Informative

    You seem to be forgetting the fact that your CPU takes that much power only when it's actually working, and not when it's sitting idle. So unless you got SETI running, your power bill shouldn't be that high. Ofcourse if you have SETI running, then it could also be the aliens drawing power from your computer.

  6. Re:Windows Licencing by afidel · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, but if you had a 4 ways system with HT enabled you would really only be using the first two CPU's and their HT units, the other two physical processors would be doing nothing. Not to mention that the OS and older apps will naively balance across all 4 'CPU's' evenly despite the fact that the HT units are not fully capable processors and in fact can easily degrade performance by trashing the contents of the instruction and more importantly data cache. MS claims that windows 2000 will properly use the physical processors before the logical ones if the system is written to Intel BIOS specs but my real world experience says that there aren't a lot of correctly configured systems because I've had to restage 4 way servers from Dell, IBM, and HP and 2 way workstations from HP and Dell.

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  7. Re:Windows Licencing by sufehmi · · Score: 4, Informative
    I don't see a need for hyper threading one dual core chips. It's redundant.


    Well, a few weeks ago I had to install 3 test servers - but turned out we have only 1 available server.

    I almost freaked out - but then I realised that it's a dual-Xeon box ---> 4 CPUs (to the OS). Using an obscure switch in VMware config file, I manage to assign each CPU to a (virtual) Server. The fourth CPU is assigned to the host OS.

    Everyone was very happy with the result, and looking forward to utilise more of this feature (and this kind of CPU) in the future.
  8. Strained SIlicon issue by charnov · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, the big jump in heat for the Prescott cores is from Intel use of only starined silicon in manufacturing. By creating a strained lattice for the silicon, you increase the likelyhood of current leakage (hence more heat). This is why AMD and IBM went with silicon on insulator and added strained silicon later (the SOI process helps to mitigate the leakage in strained silicon).

    Here's a simple primer

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  9. Re:IBM chugging along by GlobalMind · · Score: 4, Informative

    Yes, meanwhile IBM is on their second generation dual core chip, POWER5 -- now available in eServer i5 systems -- shipping TODAY.

    The way POWER4 was packaged for the higher end boxes, you have what they call a Multi-Chip Module (MCM) with 4 POWER4 processors on-board. This means each MCM was an 8-way.

    Now, for POWER5, they have added the Dual-Chip Module or DCM. With the i5 model 570, you can get a 1/2 way or 2/4 way box. If you buy the 1/2 way, you have one DCM installed...and if you buy the 2/4 then you get two DCMs.

    POWER5 has what IBM calls Simultaneous Multithreading -- SMT, which is the same type of idea as Hyperthreading. Essentially if the application supports multithreading, it will functionally see twice the processors...but this is a logical thing...a 4 way is still a 4 way...not an 8 way.

    Now, having said all that....never underestimate IBM development labs. I hear POWER6, 7 and maybe 8 are already out in development.

    TGM.