Intel's 32nm Update: The Follow-on to Core i7 and More
by Anand Lal Shimpi on February 11, 2009 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Enter the 32nm Lineup
Instead of Havendale in Q4, we’ll get Clarkdale and Arrandale. These are both dual-core, quad-thread processors, and both have on-package graphics. The CPU cores will be built on Intel’s 32nm process and in fact, they will be the first Westmere CPUs shipping into the market.
Now note that the dual-core market is the largest slice of the processor pie. Intel must be incredibly confident in its 32nm process to start shipping it into these demand markets first. Remember that both 65nm and 45nm initially launched on the high end desktop, but 32nm is making its debut in mainstream notebooks and desktops. The 32nm ramp is going to be a good one folks.
| Segment | Manufacturing Process | Socket | Processor | Cores | Threads | Release Date |
| High End Desktop | 32nm | LGA-1366 | Gulftown | 6 | 12 | 1H 2010 |
| Mainstream Desktop | 32nm | LGA-1156 | Clarkdale | 2 | 4 | Q4 2009 |
| Mobile | 32nm | mPGA-989 | Arrandale | 2 | 4 | Q4 2009 |
| 4S Server | 32nm | LGA-1567 | ??? | ? | ? | 2010 |
| 2S Server | 32nm | LGA-1366 | ??? | ? | ? | 2010 |
| 1S Server | 32nm | LGA-1156 | Clarkdale | 2 | 4 | 2010 |
Clarkdale/Arrandale have 32nm CPUs but their on-package GPUs are still built on Intel’s 45nm process; these are the GPUs that were supposed to be used for Havendale! It won’t be until 2010 with Sandy Bridge that we see a 32nm CPU and 32nm GPU on the same package.
A side effect of the Clarkdale/Arrandale architecture is that the memory controller is now located on the GPU and not the CPU, although both are still on package and should still be quite low latency.
Keep following; if you want a quad-core Westmere, your only option will be in the LGA-1366 socket with Gulftown. Core i7 will get replaced with a six-core, twelve-thread processor in early 2010. There won’t be a 32nm quad-core part on the desktop until the end of 2010 with Sandy Bridge.
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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?