IDF Fall 09: Product roadmap updates
We look at Intel's latest product roadmaps from the enterprise segment all the way down to netbooks. We reveal all the 32nm product changes and their expected availability.
Enterprise roadmap
Beginning with the enterprise segment, the Itanium processor will continue its momentum with the upcoming Tukwila processor which will be based on the 45nm technology. The Tukwila will utilize the Boxboro platform and chipset which is compatible with the Nehalem-EX processor as well. This is the first time Intel is unifying the Itanium and Xeon chipset through the use of common technology building blocks such as QPI. Going forward into the 32nm technology node, Intel will replace Tukwila with Poulson and Kittson respectively.
Intel Enterprise product roadmap.
For servers with 4 sockets and above, the new 45nm Nehalem-EX will replace the current 6-core Dunnington processor later this year. The Nehalem-EX is the first multi-socket server processor with integrated memory controller and four QPIs, enabling configurations of up to 4 processors and above. It will then be replaced later next year with the 32nm Westmere-EX while remaining compatible with the Boxboro platform.
The new Nehalem-EX will enable socket configuration of four processors and more.
For the dual processor platform, the Xeon 5500 series will be replaced next year with the 32nm Westmere-EP processor while the entry level single socket servers will see the new 32nm Clarkdale processor coexisting with the current Lynnfield.
The upcoming 32nm Westmere-EP processor comes with enhanced security features as well as improvements to performance at the same power envelope.
Desktop / Mobile Roadmap
Intel desktop/mobile product roadmap
At the extreme desktop segment, Intel will introduce the new 32nm Gulftown processor in early 2010, replacing the current Core i7 extreme processors. Gulftown will feature six processor cores, giving it an extra two cores over current offerings. The good news is, it will be compatible with current Intel X58 chipset, which means current users can easily upgrade to the latest Gulftown without the need to replace the motherboard.
Adding on to the recently released Core i5 processors (codenamed Lynnfield) would be the 32nm Clarkdale processor. Compatible with the current Intel 5 series chipset, the 32nm Clarkdale will only come with two processor cores. However, Intel claims that its performance will not be hampered by its lack of cores as benchmarks have shown. Clarkdale will also come with built-in graphics packaged together with the processor.
The Clarkdale equivalent over at the mobile segment would be the Arrandale. Similar in terms of features, Arrandale would use the same Calpella platform as the upcoming Clarksfield quad core offering (Core i7 mobile processor). Similar to desktops
, Clarksfield will coexist with Arrandale until the introduction of Sandy Bridge.
Westmere produces will reduce the number of chips from 3 to 2.
Despite having only 2 cores in the Clarkdale, its SPEC CPU results show that it's faster than today's Core 2 Quad processor.
The Clarkdale chip without the heat spreader.
The Arrandale chip package without the lid.
Ultra-portable and Netbooks
Ultra-portable laptop product roadmap.
Ultra-portable laptops will get a lot of love next quarter as Intel decides to move its single core SU3xxx and SU2xxx series into dual core models. The SU7xxx series will be based on the Core architecture while the SU4xxx will be Pentium-based. At the value end, Intel will introduce dual core SU2xxx series branded as Celeron. The changes will give rise to more powerful ultra-portable laptops at affordable mainstream prices.
Intel Atom product roadmap.
Netbooks will be going through some major changes next year when Intel releases the Pineview processor and the Pine Trail platform. The new processor will come highly integrated with graphics and memory controller. This will effectively reduce the entire system to two chips which consist of just the processor and Tiger Point I/O hub. Expect to find more innovative netbook/nettop designs when system board sizes are reduced as a result of the integration.
Netbooks will also be transitioning into a two-chip solution next year.
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