Tick-Tock: U R Doin it Right

Let’s check the stats; Conroe in July 2006, Penryn in October 2007, Nehalem in November 2008. That’s a tock, tick, and another tock, each about a year apart. Note that the cadence does appear to be slipping a bit, but we’ll see exactly when in 2009 we get Westmere before making any accusations.

The next tick is, as I just mentioned, Westmere. It’s a 32nm shrink of Nehalem, much like Penryn was a 45nm shrink of Conroe/Merom. And it’s due out in the fourth quarter of this year.

Yesterday, Intel demonstrated working versions of its 32nm processors in both desktops and notebooks. The notebook aspect of the demonstration is very important, which I’ll get to later. Both mobile and desktop versions of Westmere will be shipping from Intel in Q4.

Getting Complicated with Code Names

Nehalem is the overall name for Intel’s 45nm desktop/mobile/server product family. At the high end we have Bloomfield, which is the quad-core, eight-thread, Core i7 processor we all long for. That’s the only Nehalem derivative that’s launched thus far.

Segment Manufacturing Process Socket Processor Cores Threads Release Date
High End Desktop 45nm LGA-1366 Bloomfield 4 8 Q4 2008
Mainstream Desktop 45nm LGA-1156 Lynnfield 4 8 2H 2009
Mobile 45nm mPGA-989 Clarksfield 4 8 2H 2009
4S Server 45nm LGA-1567 Nehalem-EX 8 16 2H 2009
2S Server 45nm LGA-1366 Nehalem-EP 4 8 1H 2009
1S Server 45nm LGA-1156 Lynnfield 4 8 2H 2009

 

By the end of this year we’ll see Lynnfield and Clarksfield. These are both quad-core, eight-thread Nehalem processors but at lower TDPs and price points. They will fit into Intel’s unannounced LGA-1156 socket and only support two channels of DDR3 memory (compared to LGA-1366 and 3-channels with Core i7).

On the server side we’ll have Nehalem-EX, an 8-core, 16-thread version. Nehalem EP a 4-core, 8-thread version. And Lynnfield again for the entry level servers.

These are all 45nm parts and all due out by the end of this year.

Note that there’s one name missing: Havendale. Havendale was supposed to be a 2-core Lynnfield + on-chip graphics, perfect for notebooks and low end desktops where quad-core isn’t necessary. Unfortunately, Havendale got delayed until Q4 2009 with systems shipping in Q1 2010. That just happened to coincide with Intel’s 32nm ramp so a very significant decision was made: Havendale got scrapped.

Fat Pockets, Dense Cache, Bad Pun Enter the 32nm Lineup
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  • tacoburrito - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    I fail to see the purpose of introducing the 6 core/Gulfstream. Most software could barely take advantage of 4 core, let alone 6. It seems like Intel just want to brag they can cram many cores into a single package without evidence that 6 cores will improve performance. It's almost like the mhz wars from the 1990s. Instead of spending time on a 6 core chip, why couldn't they just bring out Sandy Bridge earlier?
  • aeternitas - Friday, February 13, 2009 - link

    It cant be that the applications that DO have multicore support arnt professional apps that small and large businesses use to make money now could it?

    Simple because Intel doesn't cater to your browsing and downloading torrents needs doesn't mean its not a good idea to get the ball rolling.

    Oh and hmm, lets see why don't they just go strait to Sandy Bridge that's a good one hmmm maybe its because they DONT HAVE TO. AMD is 18 months behind.
  • 7Enigma - Thursday, February 12, 2009 - link

    Check back a couple pages, I think we posted exactly the same thing, as I completely agree with you. :)

    The only thing I can think of is since the server market pays the bills in a sense they are tailoring the chip for that purpose and just making a consumer level chip that will still be tops but probably not as nice in most instances as a faster quad.
  • pattycake0147 - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    On the first page the article talks about two Arizona fabs, but the picture indicates that there is one Arizona fab and one New Mexico fab. So which is correct?
  • scruffypup - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    If I remember right (living here in the Phoenix area), there are 3 buildings in Chandler at the site,... 2 of them will be coverted over to the 32nm process, the 3rd building is no longer going to be used apparently,.... or will use the 3rd for something else,...

    http://www.intel.com/community/arizona/index.htm">http://www.intel.com/community/arizona/index.htm

    http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/...">http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli.../2009/02...

    "Specifically, Intel is upgrading two of its three manufacturing plants, called "fabs," at its Ocotillo campus in Chandler to make 32-nanometer-size chips."
  • INDVote - Thursday, February 12, 2009 - link

    No, only one fab in AZ is being converted, Intel's newest Fab 32. They are not closing any one or both other buildings. They appear to be "merging" two of them.

    F11X is in New Mexico, and will be converted over. There are no plant closings in NM.

    D1D and D1C are both at the same location in Oregon and are being converted.
  • pattycake0147 - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    However, the three buildings combined are called Fab 32. Fab 11X as chopshiy pointed out is in New Mexico. The article isn't referring to individual buildings, but sets of buildings.

    Thanks chopshiy, I didn't see your post earlier.
  • vlado08 - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    I am wondering about the integrated graphics in Clarkdale/Arrandale will it be DirectX 11 compliant? Is it going to be better than GMA X4500? What about h264 acceleration, 8 channel LPCM support and working 24p?
  • chophshiy - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    11X is in New Mexico as the caption on the pic says. Specifically Rio Rancho, NM, near Albuquerque. It's OK, you'd be surprised how many times I've spoken with someone in the US on the phone that told me I was calling the wrong number, since they don't support locations outside the US. Go American education!
  • philosofool - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - link

    Does anyone know what the lifespan of LGA 1156 will be? Is intel expected to change sockets again when we reach Sandy Bridge? Is there any chance that I will have be able to get one mother board to last me several years?

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