Here's what they're reading (ZDNet eWEEK):
Otellini is now saying fastest ramp ever. During the CC at the end of Q3, he was saying P4 would be the fastest except for PIII because that was easier, being very close to PII. Changed his mind.
Good summary:
Overall, the microprocessor is expected to excel at encoding music and movies as well as handling 3D gaming, but its architecture may provide little if any performance gains for handling typical business applications, such as Microsoft Office.
Gee, maybe Suzie (or Ken) can go out for coffee while it's updating a budget spreadsheet. Are there any Office apps that will run differently on a PIII vs. a P4? I don't think so.
But the Pentium 4 puts Intel back on top, a position it is expected to retain due to the advantages of its new microarchitecture, the first it has introduced since it launched the Pentium Pro in 1995.
An Intel class launch:
Top-tier PC manufacturers are expected to quickly introduce new desktops and workstations featuring the chip. Among those launching new systems are Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., Gateway Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and IBM. (See eWEEK Labs' review of IBM's IntelliStation M Pro 6849.)
zdnet.com
Intel sends Pentium 4 out the door
By Ken Popovich, eWEEK
November 20, 2000 10:15 AM ET
Intel Corp. today finally broke the 1GHz barrier -- a quickly recalled 1.13GHz this summer notwithstanding -- and upped the stakes in the processor speed race with the launch of the Pentium 4.
Initially targeted at computing enthusiasts and workstation users, Intel is pricing the chips "aggressively" in hopes of fueling sales. At $819 for the 1.5GHz version and $644 for the 1.4GHz (in 1,000-unit shipments), the Pentium 4 costs only slightly more than the 1GHz Pentium III, which was recently reduced from $719 to $515.
"We priced this thing more aggressively than comparable products at their introduction," said Paul Otellini, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's Architecture Group, speaking at a gathering at Comdex in Las Vegas last week. "We want this to hit volume very, very quickly."
Top-tier PC manufacturers are expected to quickly introduce new desktops and workstations featuring the chip. Among those launching new systems are Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., Gateway Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and IBM. (See eWEEK Labs' review of IBM's IntelliStation M Pro 6849.)
New microarchitecture
Featuring a whole new architecture, the Pentium 4, manufactured using a 0.18 micron process, should enable Intel to rapidly rev up its chip speeds, with the company already touting that it will introduce a 2GHz chip by the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Intel will begin producing the chip using a 0.13 micron process that should enable even faster performance.
"This processor is going to have the fastest ramp in Intel's history," Otellini said, adding, "I think we say that every generation, though. I think that it's expected of us now."
Among the chip's new features:
* Hyper pipelined technology that will allow higher frequencies.
* Rapid execution engine that essentially enables the chip to execute some instruc-tions at twice the core frequency.
* 400MHz system bus, which is more than three times faster than the Pentium III's 133MHz bus.
* Execution trace cache, an advanced level-one cache (memory) designed to anticipate needed instructions and, therefore, make them more readily available.
* Streaming SIMD Extensions 2, which are 144 new instructions to accelerate audio, video, 3D and imaging encryption.
Advantages, disadvantages
To highlight the performance advantages of the Pentium 4, Intel released general benchmark scores comparing the 1.5GHz Pentium 4 to a 1GHz Pentium III.
Overall, the microprocessor is expected to excel at encoding music and movies as well as handling 3D gaming, but its architecture may provide little if any performance gains for handling typical business applications, such as Microsoft Office.
While the Pentium 4 touts many advantages over the Pentium III, the new chip is at a disadvantage initially in that it consumes more power and runs far hotter than its predecessor. The Pentium 4 consumes more than 50 watts, compared to about 30 watts for the Pentium III, creating more heat and spurring the need for larger cooling packages and stronger fans. Those two requirement mean the Pentium 4 is ill-suited for today's sleeker and more stylish PCs.
As a result, many PC makers have no plans to utilize the Pentium 4 in many areas of their product lines until the chip is manufactured using the 0.13 micron process, which will result in a smaller processor package with lower cooling requirements.
Pentium III hits its ceiling
It's been a long eight months since Intel reached the 1GHz milestone with the Pentium III. Since then, the giant chip maker has been stymied to move beyond that mark, with the company's reputation taking a hit for the introduction, and then quick recall, of a 1.13GHz Pentium III in August.
Ultimately, Intel's problems have been a boon for rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc., which continued to boost its Athlon performance, releasing 1.1GHz and 1.2GHz versions, helping the smaller chip maker gain market share in consumer desktops.
But the Pentium 4 puts Intel back on top, a position it is expected to retain due to the advantages of its new microarchitecture, the first it has introduced since it launched the Pentium Pro in 1995.
Although Intel will focus heavily on promoting the Pentium 4, the company said it is committed to supporting the Pentium III through 2001.
With its transition from the 0.18 to 0.13 micron process, Intel will finally be able take the Pentium III beyond its current 1GHz ceiling. |
