In November Intel will unleash its first 45 nm processor, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650, and after seeing the live demonstration at IDF last week things are certainly looking good. Earlier we’ve seen dual-core performance comparisons between Wolfdale and Conroe and then we could see how the performance improvements varied between 0-25% (in some rare cases even higher) in different benchmarks. HKEPC has now published a new comparison of the 45 vs 65 nm kind, but this time it’s Kentsfield that has to tackle Yorkfield, quad-core vs quad-core.
Overall things look pretty much the same. Some benchmarks reveal quite significantly better performance, others are pretty much identical. Overall the IPC and the median of the benchmarks seem to be around 5-10%. While this is no huge boost, the frequency is also expected to scale to much higher frequencies than the current 65 nm architecture.
The article also reveals that Intel has decided to trash its plan for making Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad into just one series called Core 2. Apparently objections from the OEMs was the main reason.
HKEPC has also published a table with information about the prices of the coming processors. They seem to be about the same as the current lineup, when considering the frequencies, but the thing is that the 65 nm lineup (Allendale, Conroe, Kentsfield and server equivalents) will remain for some time even after that the 45 nm series has arrived. According to a slide publised by HKEPC the 65 nm series will still be around Q3 2008, but start being phased out during Q1 2008 already.
Those who wants to know more can turn to the original article in Chinese or the translated version (Google Translate).
Oh yea … one more thing: “The Calm Before The Storm“
