Intel sez Penryn's done, lookout for 45nm Wolfdale / Yorkfield

If you're desperate for some positive Intel news after hearing those less-than-inspiring margin forecasts earlier today, the chipmaker is once again keeping itself on track in regard to pumping out its forthcoming 45-nanometer processors. While we were briefed on the dual-core Wolfdale and quad-core Yorkfield just a few weeks back, Intel is now claiming that its Penryn-based chips are "complete" and will play nice with Windows Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems when they hit the shelves. Both chips are (still) slated to hit production during the second half of this year, with manufacturing to hit full stride during 2008. Penryn is supposed to "extend the Core 2 architecture" by playing host to the next set of Intel's Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE), and will also lend a hand in the future development of Montevina, and just in case you're the (way) forward-looking type, you can expect Penryn's successor -- dubbed Nehalem -- to roll out in late '08.

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 17th 2007 4:12PM]

Yeah, but is it SHINY enough?

[narco @ Jan 17th 2007 4:14PM]

Where does Intel come up with this naming scheme? They sound like really snobby rich people dog names.

Fishes,
narco.

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake @ Jan 17th 2007 4:24PM]

haha, "Nehalem" when spoken -- Nail Em!
I don't know why it's funny.

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake @ Jan 17th 2007 4:25PM]

Haha, "Nehalem" when spoken -- Nail Em!

[Rob Gomes @ Jan 17th 2007 4:33PM]

Intel's names processors after rivers in the United States.

I'm looking forward to Penryn and am hoping we'll see it in the next 12 months in an iMac refresh. Energy Star is releasing some rather tough new requirements in July 2007 for manufacturers who want to retain Energy Star compliance. And considering qualifying computers get preference in government purchases (including education), all manufacturers have good incentive to strive towards it.

So here's hoping to a faster, even less power hungry 24" iMac for me to buy in the next year, as well as cooler, quieter, higher performing compuers for everyone else.

[andy @ Jan 17th 2007 4:35PM]

ha ha.

That guy is holding a $10,000+ dinner plate.


That's a darn big wafer.

[Satsuki @ Jan 17th 2007 6:27PM]

Haha, try $500,000. If one Quadro > $1000 and there are like 30% more dies on that wafe. I'm glad and amazed at how fast we're shrinking these. Boo-yah grandma!

[doug @ Jan 17th 2007 8:42PM]

Are these going to be dual core or quad core in notebooks?

[resource @ Jan 17th 2007 10:42PM]

What does this mean for laptops.

The fastest Intel is now the dual-core 2.33 GHz
Are these laptops going to go get to dual-core 3.0 GHz or just lower the power consumption and the heat?

[Adam @ Jan 18th 2007 6:50AM]

I hope it means lower power/heat for laptops. They always tout better performance per watt, but battery life seems to have stagnated at about 3 hours. I wish they'd have a separate line of laptops that are still only ~1.5GHz, but get 12 hours of battery life between charges. I don't need an octocore 3.0GHz processor with a 4GB video card to take notes in class.

[Stan @ Jan 18th 2007 11:12AM]

I thought the Penryn was suposed to be a 8 core? Or was that the Montevina? There's hardy any programs for dual core, never mind 8. Everyone seems to be getting to far ahead of thenselves. But as long as people keep buying ,they will keep making them.They really need to step back and wait for more programs and games that can take advantage of 4 & 8 cores.It seems that every site that gives reviews on new CPUs say the there is really not that much of a performance gain from Dual core to Quad core. And lets face it,They are asking to much money.The 2nd Q ofthis year Intels will be dropping prices once again. The Quad E6600 will be dropping to $530. It will be interesting to see just how much the rest of Intels line will drop.

[Shockage @ Feb 1st 2007 3:37AM]

yes - small processors are faster/use less power..tis the way of teh chip!