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Intel Looks Beyond the Microchip

Posted by Zonk on from the don't-look-down dept.

Dr Occult writes "BBC reports about upcoming major changes in Intel in 2006. The current Intel core, the Pentium, is on its way out and is to be replaced by a new chip called 'Core'. These new Core chips come in two flavours. Solo Core is a single core processor, and Duo Core is a dual core processor. Intel has also announced the Viiv standard. Viiv is less technology and more a shopping list of technologies. Aimed at the home entertainment market, it defines the latest generation of media centres that are capable of playing anything from MP3 songs to high-definition films."

21 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. I wonder why. by Musteval · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, AMD keeps looking at the microchip, because they're winning at it.

    --
    Note to mods: I'm probably being sarcastic.
  2. Technically devoid fluff piece by pchan- · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "The current Intel core, the Pentium, is on its way out and is to be replaced by a new chip called 'Core'. These new Core chips come in two flavours. Solo Core is a single core processor, and Duo Core is a dual core processor."

    How the hell did this make the front page? "Core Solo|Duo" is just what Intel calls their single, dual core processors now (remember, generic names are not worth anything to them, they must have a brand name). But is it news for nerds? Hardly.

    1. Re:Technically devoid fluff piece by lisaparratt · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I would have thought detailed information on how consumers view the machinations of evil corporations marketing departments would be vital to a nerd trying their best to do The Right Thing, i.e. stopping the rot before it takes hold.

      The hot topic around computers right now is politics. Whether you get bound or gagged by DRM, legislation and software patents, or allowed to live free in a bountious field of quality products depends on how you play the game. No one won by being logical, truthful, and right - it's all in how you play the game.

    2. Re:Technically devoid fluff piece by gormanly · · Score: 4, Informative

      yep, and Core Duo and Solo are just the latest rev of the P6 core that's been in every IA32 chip except the Pentium 4, from the PPro to the Pentium M. In other words, all this news says is that Netburst is dead, and 32-bit computing lives a little longer.

      The real new chip line is coming later in the year, when Intel's new architecture comes out: see these 2 great articles by Oleg Bessonov over at Digit Life on Conroe, the future, and Yonah, the current Intel CPU.

      Of course, this is Slashdot, so about 3 people will read these through, and only 2 of those will grok 'em, but their server will get melted anyway...

  3. quad core, oct core, etc by Anubis350 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I would assume there are plans for these, would seem to make sense based on their naming convention.
    Goodbye mhz race, hello core race (not that it hasnt been on for a while :-P).

    --
    "goodbye and hello, as always" ~Prince Corwin, from Zelazny's Amber series
  4. Not far beyond... by themysteryman73 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ironically, all of those things listed under "Intel looks beyond the microchip" are based on microchips.

  5. the best part of TFA: by 246o1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "All microprocessor chips have a core. The current Intel core, the Pentium, is on its way out, to be replaced by a new core, called "Core".

    It all sounds a bit like Intel's hijacking a technical term and trying to turn it into a brand name."

    I've never really thought about this, but could it lead to confusion and/or lawsuits with regards to the AMD multi-core chips? I certainly wouldn't put such a hope past Intel.

    --
    Although the moon is smaller than the earth, it is farther away.
    1. Re:the best part of TFA: by Hal_Porter · · Score: 3, Funny

      AMD Will Have To Avoid Unnecessary Capitalisation, True.

      E.g. AMD 64 X2 Dual core = OK.
      E.g. AMD 64 X2 Dual Core = OMFG Lawsuit!!!11!!!

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
  6. Do you you do best. by theheff · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't think this article is really saying much, except for the fact that Intel is going to try to put their chips in everything (DVD players, appliances, etc). From a technology/research standpoint, this kind of worries me. Does this suggest that Intel is trying to secure their future by broadening their market because they can't produce new technology? As much as I love AMD, I hope that competition continues between the two chip-makers for a long, long time.

  7. weve already seen the core duo in action... by nicknameinthebrain · · Score: 3, Informative

    the "wonderful" macbook in all its intelness: http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/intelcoreduo.html also for those wanting to see intels take on its chip: http://www.intel.com/products/processor/coreduo/

    1. Re:weve already seen the core duo in action... by Lussarn · · Score: 3, Interesting

      While 32bit x86 chips might be new and exciting to you the rest of the world have been using it for 20 years and are phasing it out for x86-64. Good luck with your new and improved Macintosh. It will be nice to see how many years Apple will give this platform before a complete upgrade is necesarry again. My guess is, not long.

    2. Re:weve already seen the core duo in action... by bhima · · Score: 3, Insightful

      And what will they do with all of this new found processor goodness without: A compiler, an OS, and applications that actually will these features?

      Is there a completely 64 bit Linux? I *know* OS X isn't completely 64bit.
      Is there a commonly available compiler that can *really* automatically compile C/C++ code such that it is optimized to use the vector extensions?
      Is there a Java virtual machine that uses any advanced processor feature?

      That's my point... with the exception of Games and Video applications what applications do regular users use and what will they use that demands 64 bitness? It's not web browsing, or E-mail, or IM, or VOIP, or even that "Web 2.0" crap. I'll tell you now that the existence of the VLC media player and Handbrake don't really justify the expense of 64bit machines. And I'll also bet you that the vast majority of users seldom use any of these processor features.

      The hardware is here and it's been here for ages... I've been using various 64bit processors for at least 10 years. What isn't here and I don't seeing coming, except for games and scientific applications, is a real need for the average person. What the point of having a general purpose computer with that kind of performance if the *only* application is gaming, when you can go out and buy a special purpose console for considerably less money?

      Given that reality a fast 32bit processor will be just as good to the average user for a long time to come.

      --
      Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
  8. and loaded to the eyeballs with by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 3, Interesting

    TCP/DRM....

    No thanks. Buh-bye Intel. I recently made the switch to AMD but I fear that will be short lived.

    As much as I despise any product from China, I fear that some of us freedom rebels will have to resort to underground TCP/DRM-free chips.
    I think they were working on a new chip called the Dragon or something like that.
    I don't care about watching HD anything on my PC. I don't listen to music on my PC.

    But I'll be damned if I'll be forced to replace all my stuff just because Mega-Corp(tm) decides that we all must comply and submit.

    Freedom Fries and all that stupidity. It's all for our own good you know.

    I think they should rename the new TCP/DRM chips the "INGSOC Chip"..

  9. Viiv - shear genius by AmiMoJo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well done Intel - spend millions building up the Pentium brand, then throw it away for something no-one can pronounce.

    Also, well done for adding to the general confusion by calling your new chips "Core". You must be so prowd of your marketing deparment.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    1. Re:Viiv - shear genius by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      They should call the new multi-core pentiums for, uhm:

      Plentium!

  10. Riddle me this by sane? · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Surely "Core" is a generic term?

    Therefore sure it should be impossible to have a valid trademark? Remember the reasoning behind "Pentium" rather than "586"?

    So what is the "TM" doing on it?

    1. Re:Riddle me this by Vellmont · · Score: 3, Informative


      Surely "Core" is a generic term?

      Therefore sure it should be impossible to have a valid trademark? Remember the reasoning behind "Pentium" rather than "586"?

      So what is the "TM" doing on it?


      My guess it what they've actually trademarked is "Duo Core" and "Solo Core". Notice how those are strange terms like duo, solo, and not common english expressions like dual core, single core that everyone uses to describe multi-core processors. Even Intel can't think they can trademark the word core and get away with it.

      --
      AccountKiller
  11. Ol Shakespeare: "What's in a name..." by Ancient_Hacker · · Score: 3, Interesting
    So you think Intel tossed out all the Pentium designs, technology, processes, algorithms, and employees and started from scratch? Not likely.

    This "change" is more likely a marketing thing. If the marketing folks don't change everything every few years, they start to look idle.

  12. that's nothing! by utnapistim · · Score: 3, Funny

    I am throwing away my keyboard and replacing it with a new device called the Keyboard!

    --
    Tie two birds together: although they have four wings, they cannot fly. (The blind man)
  13. Pronounciation. by Hillgiant · · Score: 3, Funny
    It's not that hard to pronounce.

    "Viiv"

    See? No problem.

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    -
  14. Brilliant Marketing Ploy . . . by Dausha · · Score: 3, Funny

    Intel is merely capitalizing on Apple's move to their chipset. After all, since the CPU is the center of the computer, the new Intel processors will be the "Apple's Core!" Ha! Hah!

    Thank you! I'll be here all weekend. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

    --
    What those who want activist courts fear is rule by the people.