Superscalar Technology

The main components of a processor—registers, decoders, and ALUs—are collectively known as the instruction pipeline. To carry out a single instruction, a processor must,

• Read the instruction

• Decode the instruction

• Fetch operands (for math functions)

• Execute the instruction

• Write back the results

Early processors carried out these steps one at a time. Combining these steps into a single clock cycle, a process known as pipelining, thereby increases the speed of processing. Superscalar technology allows the Pentium to have two instruction pipelines—called U and V. The U pipeline can execute the full range of Pentium instructions, whereas the V pipeline can execute a limited number. When possible, the Pentium processor breaks up a program into discrete tasks that are then shared between the pipelines, allowing the Pentium to execute two simple instructions simultaneously. Software must be specifically written to take advantage of this innovative feature, which is known as multithreading.

Intel Bets Big on Mobile Computing

In a bid to leverage the growing demand for notebook PCs, Intel has launched its Intel Centrino 2 processor technology products for laptops that include five new Intel Core2 duo processors.

Intel also introduced what it claims to be the world's highest performing dual-core mobile processor, the Intel Core2 Extreme processor running at 3.06 GHz, according to a press release.

In addition, 250 new laptop models with features such as powerful processors, enhanced graphics and battery life will soon be launched, the release said.

Intel also plans to unveil eight new processors within 90 days that will include first-ever mobile quad-core products and second generation products for ultra thin and light notebooks. In total, the company will bring 14 diverse processors into the marketplace as laptop sales continue to outpace desktop PCs.

The Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology improve upon every facet of a laptop's main features, including performance and battery life via new processors and chipsets, faster draft 802.11n wireless (with WiMAX arriving later this year), and new business-class manageability capabilities.

"When we first introduced Intel Centrino back in 2003, there were very few Wi-Fi hotspots, YouTube videos and social media didn't really exist, 'thin and light' only referred to weight goals and desktop PCs outsold notebooks by a very wide margin," said R Ravichandran, director of sales, Intel South Asia.

"Today, notebooks are fast gaining share and we are seeing new and previously unheard off usage model. We are paving the way to HD entertainment, rich online gaming, faster broadband wireless speeds and an easier and more secure way for businesses to manage, update and repair their notebook fleets."

The five new dual core processors come with a faster 1066MHz front side bus and up to 6MB of L2 cache, and three versions reduce laptop processor wattage about 30 percent, down to just 25 watts, according to the release. Also featured is Deep Power Down Technology that turns off processing components such as core clocks and cache memory when the laptop is idle for greater energy savings.

Intel also unveiled its new Mobile Intel 45 Express Chipset and wireless Intel WiFi Link 5000 series that is shipping to customers now, with laptops arriving in July and August. According to Intel, it delivers five times the speed and twice the range of older 802.11a/g technology, while the Intel WiFi Link 5000 series provides 802.11 draft-N support that delivers the fastest data rates possible today -- up to 450 Mbps.

Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology offers manageability and security options. This is increasingly important as companies replace desktops with notebooks and need to remotely diagnose, update and repair systems over a wireless network, according to the release.

Improved manageability with AMT 4.0 has also been added that provides wireless manageability during system sleep states, ongoing remote configuration capabilities, support for next-generation management standards (WS-MAN and DASH 1.0) and the ability for an employee to initiate communications to IT from outside a company's firewall.

The company will begin shipping its first ever combined WiMax/Wi-Fi module later this year in the US. The module will be part of the Intel WiMax/WiFi Link 5050 Series that is an optional feature for future Intel Centrino 2-based laptops

Pentium MMX

Soon, more choices were on the way. About the time the 166-MHz Pentiums shipped, Intel introduced MMX (Multimedia Extension) technology, designed to enhance performance of data-hungry applications like graphics and games. With larger data and code caches, Pentiums with MMX technology can run non-MMX-enhanced software approximately 10 to 20 percent faster than a non-MMX CPU with the same clock speed.

To reap the full benefits of the new processor, MMX-enhanced software makes use of 57 special multimedia instructions. These new MMX operators use a technology called SIMD (single-instruction multiple-data) stream processing. SIMD allows different processing elements to perform the same operations on different data—a central controller broadcasts the instruction to all processing elements in the same way that a drill sergeant would tell a whole platoon to "about face," rather than instruct each soldier individually.

The MMX chips also take advantage of dynamic branch prediction using the branch target buffer (BTB) to predict the most likely set of instructions to be executed.

The MMX Pentium processor is also more compatible with older 16-bit software than is the Pentium Pro; consequently, it soon doomed the Pro to the backwaters of PC computing. All later versions of the Pentium have incorporated some variation of MMX and improved on it. The original Pentium desktop line ended with the release of the 233-MHz MMX in June 1997.

Intel's Competitors

Competitors have moved away from simply making clones of the Intel processors. They are currently designing their own processors with unique features. AMD and Cyrix are among the best known. Until recently, all the Intel processors had been based on a CISC (complex instruction set computing) architecture. Processors based on RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) have been used in high-powered machines since the mid-1980s. Intel has produced its own version of a RISC-based processor that uses a much smaller and simpler set of instructions, greatly enhancing the speed of the processor.

PowerPC Extension Technology Microprocessor

The primary objective of this manual is to help programmers 

provide software that is compatible across the family of 64-bit 

PowerPC™ processors, which have implemented the Vector/SIMD 

Multimedia Extension technology. This book describes how the 

vector technology relates to the 64-bit portion of the PowerPC 

architecture. This book supplements the "PowerPC Microprocessor 

Family: Programming Environments Manual for 64-bit Microprocessors".Verify in IBM Customer connect that you have the latest versions of all referenced documents before finalizing any designs. All recommendations given should be considered as guidelines, intended to help design a functional system. However, they are only guidelines and do not take the place of design specific results obtained from signal integrity modeling considerations and debug recommendations provided in this document and in referenced documents were developed to help reduce the risk of board design 

problems

Intel's X48 Express chipset

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is due out this quarter, bringing with it not only four Penryn cores clocked at 3.2GHz, but also a front-side bus running at 1600MHz. That faster FSB presents a bit of a problem, though, because Intel's current P35 and X38 Express chipsets only support front-side bus speeds up to 1333MHz. So the QX9770 needs a new chipset, or at least a new north bridge, which is where the X48 Express comes in.

Based on Intel's existing X38 Express, the X48 brings with it official support for 1600MHz front-side bus speeds. With this faster bus, the X48 looks poised to supplant its predecessor atop Intel's chipset lineup, which means a new wave of motherboards is coming from all the usual suspects.

AMD ATHLON 64 FX-62 PROCESSOR TECH SPECS

Frequency / Cache Sizes: 2.8GHz w/ 1MB L2 cache-per-core (2MB total L2 per processor)

L1 Cache Sizes: 64K - L1 instruction + 64K - L1 data cache per core (256KB total L1)

CPU to Memory Controller: same as CPU core frequencies

Memory Controller: Shared integrated 128-bit wide memory controller

DDR2 Memory Supported: Up to and including PC2 6400 (800MHz) DDR-2 memory

HyperTransport Links: 1

HyperTransport Spec: 2GHz (2x 1000MHz / DDR)

Effective data bandwidth: 20.8 GB/sec [8GB/sec HyperTransport link + 12.8GB/sec memory]

Packaging: Socket AM2 organic micro-PGA

Fab location: AMD's Fab 30 wafer fabrication facility in Dresden, Germany

Process Technology: 90nm (.09-micron) Silicon on Insulator (SOI)

Approximate Transistor count: 227.4 million

Approximate Die Size: 230mm2

Nominal Voltage: 1.35-1.4V

Max Thermal Power: 125 W

Max Ambient Case Temp: 55-63 degrees Celsius

Max Icc (processor current): 90.4A

Min P-State (with C'n'Q): 1.0 GHz

· Nominal Voltage @ min -state: 1.1V

· Max Thermal Power @ min -state: 38.0W

· Max Icc @ min -state: 31.8A

AMD Phenom Triple-Core

AMD’s triple-core processors have been on the horizon for months now and, after all the speculation and derision, they are finally here. The launch included three Phenom X3 processors: the 8750, 8650, and 8450, all of which will come in at under $200. AMD is, as expected, positioning these processors between their dual-core and quad-core offerings and is targeting cost-conscious consumers, people who will appreciate the performance boost but would rather save a few dollars than go with a quad-core.

The three 65nm models will arrive at 2.1, 2.3, and 2.4GHz frequencies, respectively priced at $145, $165, and a hefty $195 for the 8750. These models have a TDP of 95W and 1.5MB total L2 cache per processors as well as 2MB shared cache. Also included is HT 3.0, a 1.8GHz memory controller, and Dual Dynamic Power Management. And because this is a 50 series processor we know it is a B3 revision model. They are AM2+ (940 pin) compatible so consumers won’t necessarily need new hardware to run an X3.

Having the basic information in front of you, it’s not immediately clear whether AMD is fulfilling a need that no one has, offering an interesting new option to consumers, or just making the best out of their situation (by releasing “broken” quad-cores as X3s). What we do know though is that outside of enthusiasts circles there won’t be the clamoring and complaints about the third core, rather it’ll probably be seen as nothing more (or less) than something between two other options.

AM2 Processor

In terms of performance the new AM2 processor cores have not changed outside of its given product line up. This of course overlooks GHz scaling and L2 cache configurations as is normal with new processor launches. The new AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 and AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000+ processors are the new AMD flagship processors will we be showing you here today. The FX-62 clocks in at a healthy 2.8GHz while the 5000+ comes in close at 2.6GHz. They are both dual core processors. They are however not the only processors that will take advantage of AMD’s new socket AM2.

Below is a full list of new AM2 processors.

AMD Athlon 64 FX processor: FX-62

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processors: 5000+, 4800+, 4600+, 4400+, 4200+, 4000+, and 3800+

AMD Athlon 64 processors: 3800+, 3500+

AMD Sempron processors: 3600+, 3500+, 3400+, 3200+, and 3000+

Core Power Reductions

While there is nothing new in terms of core performance, AMD has made some great strides when it comes to power consumption in their non-FX line of processors. This of course is good for everyone as we are seeing major wattage drops with AM2. This means cooler running processors not dumping so much heat into our cases which house other components. Also these are not small decreases in wattage as you can see below. Some of these wattage drops can be be described as incredible.