t e c h i e - t a l k s ::: technology at its best

To push desktop processing to another level, Intel has came out with a smaller processor at 45nm, which touts to be the “next biggest advancement” in processor technology in 40 years. Although Intel had launched some of their 45nm processors last November, these were meant solely for servers and only one 45nm processor was released for desktops.

So what is the difference between Penryn processors and the current 65nm dual core processors? Firstly, we see twice the number of transistors in a single processor die. This enables Intel to continue Moore’s law (which states that transistor number doubles every two years) into the next decade.

A Yorkfield quad core processor (one of Penryn’s quad core processor) packs 820 million transistor onto a 214mm² die. Approximately 400 of Intel’s 45nm transistors can be placed onto a single red blood cell!

On top of that, Penryn processors uses high-k gate dialectics which basically replaces silicon dioxide gates which has been the core of transistor gate electrodes. This new material actually reduces less power leakages, improves heat dissipated and improves processor performance (ables to switch faster than SiO2 transistor by 20%).

Next, the Penryn family processors will include the new SSE4 instructions. The SSE4 instructions will allow for higher-performance computing.

Lastly, Penryn processors will get a boost of twice the amount of L2 cache. As compared to the 65nm predecessors, Penryn processors will have 6MB L2 cache to store needed instructions. This enables the processor to fetch instructions faster and thus, improves the computing power of next generation 45nm processors!

It is rumoured that some 0f Intel’s current motherboard will be able to support the new Penryn desktop processors. This is of course with a small BIOS tweak or update. However, always check before purchasing the processors in the future.

Looking ahead in 2008, expect more 45nm Penryn processors to hit the market which will then lower the costs of these processors.