Tukwila (processor)
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This article contains information about scheduled or expected future computer chips. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final specification of the product. |
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Tukwila is the code-name for a future generation of Intel's Itanium processor family following Itanium 2 and Montecito. It is expected to come to market in late 2008.[1][2] While its features have not been publicly disclosed in detail, it is said to utilize both multiple processor cores (multi-core) and SMT techniques. The engineers said to be working on this project are ones acquired from the DEC Alpha effort, the EV8 iteration of which was to be focused on SMT.
Tukwila was previously code-named Tanglewood. However the name coincides with the Tanglewood music festival, and Intel renamed the project in late 2003.
The chip will have 4 processor cores per die and 30MB of cache[3]; it may only be able to run at full rated clock with some cores deactivated. In this way it can be configured for highest multithreaded performance or highest single thread performance, while staying within its thermal limits.
The processor should also be the first to pack more than 2 billion transistors on a single chip.[4][5]
[edit] Xeon compatibility
It has been publicly disclosed that Tukwila and its associated chipset would bring socket compatibility between Intel's Xeon and Itanium processors, by introducing a new interconnect called Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QuickPath, previously known as Common System Interface or CSI). This ultimate endeavor would help reduce product development costs for both Intel and its partners, by allowing for greater reuse of components and manufacturing processes.[6] Tukwila is reported to have four "full" QuickPath links and two "half" links.[7]
Whitefield, the first Xeon processor to feature QuickPath, has suffered significant project delays and development difficulties, leading to its ultimate cancellation.[8] As of November 2007, Xeon Nehalem would be the first Xeon processor to employ QuickPath.
[edit] References
- ^ The Big Interview: Pat Gelsinger. ZDNet (26 February 2007).
- ^ Pat Gelsinger (June 15, 2007). An update on Intel Itanium processors.
- ^ bit-tech.net (March 19, 2008). Intel talks about Nehalem, Larrabee & 32nm.
- ^ BBC News (February 4, 2008). Chips pass two billion milestone.
- ^ Sharon Gaudin (2008-02-04). Intel squeezes 2 billion transistors onto new Itanium chip. Computerworld. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Intel Changes CPU Road Map. PC World (October 25, 2005).
- ^ Intel’s Tukwila Confirmed to be Quad Core (5 May 2006).
- ^ Intel's CSI to outperform AMD's Hypertransport. The Register (12 December 2005).
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