Friday, October 26, 2007
Even with Nehalem, Intel is still a full year behind the AMD
AMD is with 2,5Ghz Barcelona just around the corner. When about this time but the next year Intel proudly announce Nehalem at 3Ghz , AMD might have one similarly clocked Barcelona too. Because 20% clock rise in a year is a common thing, especially after AMD's transition to 45nm, though we might not be quite sure about AMD's announced timing. However, on Intel's design timing too. Anyway, after AMD 6 month Barcelona delay, AMD is still in innovations apply leadership for a whole year.
And what brings Nehalem? SSE4-2 with 7 new instructions. Higher clock? No, not at least initially. So, what are its advantages? Higher IPC? Hmmm ... no. I don't see anything special there, and I really don't understand all this lying hype on Nehalem. The only innovation there I see is introduction of new high K manufacturing technology that will slash its 45nm leakage to acceptable level (45nm 2 dies Yorkfield consumes 150W ) and consequently Nehalem's 8 core TDP to half of the Yorkfield 8 core analog.