Heterogeneous Multi-core Architecture Of Intel CPUs
It seems that increasing performance with cores becomes more popular than gigahertz pumping. The new era of processor industry implies multi-way operation and higher efficiency architecture (higher performance per watt). At that, clock rates still play the important role, of course.
Our colleagues from HKEPC obtained some details of Intel's multi-core processor architecture from Bob Crepps, Intel.
According to these images, multi-core processors are very efficient. Dual-core products feature higher performance per watt than single-core ones. And as price is dropping, their attractiveness increases even for home PCs.

Similar energy consumption at different performance
The expected desktop Kentsfield and sever Clovertown will represent pairs of Conroe and WoodCrest crystals (respectively) packed into a single processor body. Next architectures will feature shared cache reducing the system bus load. At the same time, each core will feature its own clock rate and voltage automatically adjusted depending on load. In addition, a multi-core CPU will have a better power management system with a faster response to operation mode changes.
Heterogeneous Multi-Core processors will have a rather original design featuring two types of computing cores: general and special purpose. The latter will be actively used in complex computing like data compression, voice recognition, physics calculations. The result will be returned to a special matrix. Intel is already co-operating with software developers on the matter of application optimization for such architecture.
But while the company understands the benefits of integrated memory controller, the first multi-core solutions will have to do without it.
Source: HKEPC
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