Nehalem (microarchitecture)
Nehalem is the codename for an Intel processor microarchitecture,[1] successor to the Core microarchitecture. The first processor released with the Nehalem architecture is the desktop Core i7,[2] which was released on November 15, 2008 in Tokyo and November 17, 2008 in the USA.[3] The first computer to use Nehalem-based Xeon processors was the Mac Pro workstation announced on March 3, 2009.[4] Nehalem-based Xeon EX processors for larger servers are expected in Q4 2009.[5] Mobile Nehalem-based processors will follow in 2010.
Initial Nehalem processors use the same 45 nm manufacturing methods as Penryn. A working system with two Nehalem processors was shown at Intel Developer Forum Fall 2007,[6] and a large number of Nehalem systems were shown at Computex in June 2008.
The architecture is named after the Nehalem River in Northwest Oregon,[citation needed] which is in turn named after the Nehalem Native American nation in Oregon.[citation needed] The code name itself had been seen on the end of several roadmaps starting in 2000. At that stage it was supposed to be the latest evolution of the NetBurst architecture. Since the abandonment of NetBurst, the codename has been recycled and refers to a completely different project.
Technology
Various sources have stated the specifications of processors in the Nehalem family:
- Two, four, or eight cores
- 731 million transistors for the quad core variant
- 45 nm manufacturing process
- Integrated memory controller supporting two or three memory channels of DDR3 SDRAM or four FB-DIMM channels
- Integrated graphics processor (IGP) located off-die, but in the same CPU package[7]
- A new point-to-point processor interconnect, the Intel QuickPath Interconnect, replacing the legacy front side bus
- Some Nehalem processors implement DMI instead of the FSB and do away with the motherboard northbridge altogether
- Simultaneous multithreading (SMT) by multiple cores and hyperthreading, which enables two threads per core. Simultaneous multithreading has not been present on a consumer desktop Intel processor since 2006 with the Pentium 4 and Pentium XE. Intel reintroduced SMT with their Atom Architecture.
- Native (monolithic, i.e. all processor cores on a single die) quad- and octo-core processors[8]
- The following caches:
- 32 KB L1 instruction and 32 KB L1 data cache per core
- 256 KB L2 cache per core
- 2–3 MB L3 cache per core shared by all cores
- 33 % more in-flight micro-ops than Conroe[9]
- Second-level branch predictor and second-level Translation Lookaside Buffer[9]
- Modular blocks of components such as cores that can be added and subtracted for varying market segments[10]
Performance and power improvements
It has been reported that Nehalem will have a focus on performance, which accounts for the increased core size.[11] Compared to Penryn, Nehalem will have:
- 1.1x to 1.25x the single-threaded performance or 1.2x to 2x the multithreaded performance at the same power level
- 30 % lower power usage for the same performance
- According to a preview from AnandTech "expect a 20–30 % overall advantage over Penryn with only a 10 % increase in power usage. It looks like Intel is on track to delivering just that in Q4."[12]
- Core-wise, clock-for-clock, Nehalem will provide a 15–20 % increase in performance compared to Penryn.[13]
PC Watch found that a Nehalem "Gainestown" processor has 1.6x the SPECint_rate2006 integer performance and 2.4x the SPECfp_rate_2006 floating-point performance of a 3.0 GHz Xeon X5365 "Clovertown" quad-core processor.[11]
A 2.93 GHz Nehalem "Bloomfield" system has been used to run a 3DMark Vantage benchmark and gave a CPU score of 17,966.[14] The 2.66 GHz variant scores 16,294. A 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo E6600 scores 4,300.[15]
AnandTech tested the Intel QuickPath Interconnect ("QPI", 4.8 GT/s version) and found the copy bandwidth using triple-channel 1066 MHz DDR3 was 12.0 GB/s. A 3.0 GHz Core 2 Quad system using dual-channel 1066 MHz DDR3 achieved 6.9 GB/s.[16]
Overclocking will be possible with Bloomfield processors and the X58 chipset. The Lynnfield processor will use a PCH removing the need for a northbridge chipset.[17]
The Nehalem processors are the first to incorporate the SSE 4.2 SIMD instructions, adding 7 new instructions to the SSE 4.1 set available in the Core 2 series.
Variants
These tables lists all the processors of Nehalem microarchitecture to have been leaked so far. The table is ordered roughly by descending performance, which usually means descending price and power too. Released processors are set in bold.
Notes:
- "Extreme" processors have an unlocked clock multiplier. Thermal Design Power (TDP) values for CPUs with integrated GPUs include the GPU.
- All variants have 64 KiB L1 cache per core, and 256 KiB L2 cache per core.
| Codename | Market | Cores (Threads) |
Socket | Brand | Processor No. | Clock rate | Turbo | TDP | Interfaces | L3 cache | Release | 1k Unit Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Core | Uncore | Chipset | Memory | PCIe | |||||||||||
| Beckton | MP server | 8 (16) | LGA-1567 | 130/105/90 W | 4x QPI | 4x FB-DIMM | n/a | 24 MB | Q1 2010[18] | |||||||
| Gainestown | DP server | 4 (8) | LGA-1366 | Xeon[19] | W5580 | 133 MHz | 3.2 GHz | Yes | 130 W | 2x QPI 6.4 GT/s | 3x DDR3 1333 MT/s | n/a | 8 MB | 29 Mar 2009[20] | $1600 | |
| X5570, X5560, X5550 | 2.93, 2.8, 2.66 GHz | 95 W | $1386, $1172, $958 | |||||||||||||
| E5540, E5530, E5520 | 2.53, 2.4, 2.26 GHz | 80 W | 3x DDR3 1066 MT/s | $744, $530, $373 | ||||||||||||
| 4 (4) | E5506, E5504 | 2.13, 2 GHz | No | 3x DDR3 800 MT/s | 4 MB | $266, $224 | ||||||||||
| 2 (2) | E5502 | 1.86 GHz | $188 | |||||||||||||
| Bloomfield | UP server | 4 (8) | LGA-1366 | Xeon [21] | W3570 | 133 MHz | 3.2 GHz | Yes | 130 W | 1x QPI 6.4 GT/s | 3x DDR3 800–1066 MT/s | n/a | 8 MB | 29 March 2009 [21] | $999 | |
| W3540 | 2.93 GHz | 1x QPI 4.8 GT/s | $562 | |||||||||||||
| W3520 | 2.66 GHz | $284 | ||||||||||||||
| Bloomfield | High Performance Desktop [22] | 4 (8) | LGA-1366 | Core i7 Extreme | 975 [23] | 133 MHz | 3.33 GHz | Yes | 130 W | 1x QPI 6.4 GT/s | 3x DDR3 800–1066 MT/s | n/a | 8 MB | Q2 2009 | $999 | |
| 965 | 3.20 GHz | 2.66 | 17 Nov 2008 | |||||||||||||
| Core i7 | 950 [23] | 3.06 GHz | 1x QPI 4.8 GT/s | Q2 2009 | $562 | |||||||||||
| 940 | 2.93 GHz | 2.13 GHz | 17 Nov 2008 | |||||||||||||
| 920 | 2.66 GHz | $284 | ||||||||||||||
| Lynnfield | Desktop | 4 (8) | LGA-1156 | Core i5 | 133 MHz | 2.13 GHz | 95 W | 2x/4x DMI | 2x DDR3 | 1x16 / 2x8 | 8 MB | Q3 2009 | $186 ? | |||
| Clarksfield | Mobile | 4 (8) | mPGA-989 | 55/45 W | 8 MB | H2 2009 ? | ||||||||||
The Havendale and Auburndale variants have been cancelled.[24]
Successor
32 nm processor architecture "Westmere"
Westmere (formerly Nehalem-C) is the name given to the 32 nm shrink of Nehalem. Westmere should be ready for a 2009 release provided that Intel stays on target with its roadmap. However, it appears that the bulk of Westmere's versions, excluding mobile versions, will be released sometime in 2010.[25][26] Westmere's features and improvements from Nehalem have been reported as follows:
- Native six-core processors.
- The successor to Bloomfield and Gainestown is either quad-core or six-core.
- A new set of instructions that gives over 3x the encryption and decryption rate of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) processes compared to before.[27]
- Delivers six new instructions that will be used by the AES algorithm. Also an instruction called PCLMULQDQ that will perform carry-less multiplication.[28] These instructions will allow the processor to perform hardware-accelerated encryption, not only resulting in faster execution but also protecting against software targeted attacks.
- AES-NI may be included in the integrated graphics of Westmere.
- integrated graphics, released at the same time as the processor.
- Improved virtualization latency.[29]
| Codename | Market | Cores (Threads) |
Socket | Brand | Processor No. | Clock rate | TDP | Interfaces | L3 cache | Release | 1k Unit Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Core | Uncore | Chipset | Memory | PCIe | ||||||||||
| Gulftown[30] | DP server, high-end desktop | 6 (12) | LGA-1366 | 2x QPI | 3x DDR3 | n/a | 12 MB | Q4 2009 – Q2 2010[29] | |||||||
| Clarkdale[31] | Mainstream/value desktop | 2 (4) | LGA-1156 | 133 MHz | 2x/4x DMI | 2x DDR3 | 1 x16/2 x8 | 4 MB | Q4 2009[24] | $84 ? | |||||
| Arrandale[30] | Mainstream/value mobile | 2 (4) | mPGA-989 | 4 MB | Q4 2009[24] | ||||||||||
Lynnfield and Clarksfield may make the 32 nm transition in the middle of 2010,[30] while Beckton will move to 32 nm at the end of 2010.[32] The 32 nm CPUs will not have significantly different clock speeds compared to 45 nm CPUs.[33]
The integrated GPUs in Clarkdale and Arrandale are 45 nm, and support switchable graphics.[24][33]
A successor to Bloomfield and entry level server chips are also expected in Q2 2010.[24][24][30][32]
The successor to Westmere will be Sandy Bridge, scheduled for release in 2010, according to Intel roadmaps.[34] The successor to Sandy Bridge will be Haswell, scheduled for release in 2012. It will come with a new cache subsystem, a FMA (fused multiply-add) unit, and a vector coprocessor.[13]
See also
- Core i7
- X86 instruction set architecture
- x86-64
- Xeon
- Pentium
- P6
- NetBurst
- Core
- Sandy Bridge
- Haswell
- List of Intel CPU microarchitectures
References
- ^
"http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20070328fact.htm" (Press release). Intel Corporation. 2007-03-28.
{{cite press release}}: External link in|title= - ^ Gruener, Wolfgang (2008-08-10). "Nehalem = i7: Intel unveils new Core processor brand". TG Daily.
- ^
Hillis, Scott (2008-05-21). "Intel says Nehalem chips on track for '08 2nd half". Reuters.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Crothers, Brooke (2009-03-03). "Apple beats Intel to Nehalem-EP chip launch".
- ^ Morgan, Timothy (2009-02-10). "Intel confirms Nehalem Xeons imminent".
- ^ Lal Shimpi, Anand (2007-09-18). "IDF 2007 – Day 1: Nehalem, Intel's GPUs, 32nm and More". AnandTech.
- ^ Laird, Jeremy (2007-09-19). "IDF: Not all Intel Nehalem CPUs single-die". Tech.co.uk.
- ^ Laird, Jeremy (2007-07-19). "IDF: Intel reveals eight-core PC processor". TechRadar UK.
- ^ a b Lal Shimpi (2008-03-17). "Opening the Kimono: Intel Details Nehalem and Tempts with Larrabee". AnandTech.
{{cite web}}: More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - ^ Gelsinger, Patrick P. (2008-03-17). "Intel Architecture Press Briefing" (PDF). Intel.
- ^ a b "Intel's dual teamed approached to micro-architecture development". PC Watch (in Japanese). 2008-01-29.
- ^ Lal Shimpi, Anand (2008-06-05). "The Nehalem Preview: Intel Does It Again". AnandTech.
- ^ a b Doc Teraboule (2008-04-08). "IDF 2008 Shanghaï – From Nehalem to Haswell" (in French). Canard PC. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ Nguyen, Tuan (2008-07-09). "'Nehalem' 2.93 GHz Benches Revealed". Tom's Hardware.
- ^ "Intel Bloomfield 2.66 GHz: First Comprehensive Evaluation". techPowerUp!. 2008-07-09.
- ^ "Intel does it again". AnandTech. 2008-06-05.
- ^ Botezatu, Bogdan (2008-04-22). "Intel: No Overclocking for Mainstream Nehalems". Softpedia.
- ^ Nebojsa Novakovic (2009-02-12). "Intel's next bunch of fun CPUs moves to 2010". CNN International. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Core i7 to make leap to Xeon in early 2009". Legacy.macnn.com. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ Fuad Abazovic (2009-01-28). "Nehalem based Xeon comes Mar 29th". Fudzilla.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ a b Teglet, Traian (2008-11-13). "Intel to Add New Nehalem Xeon Processor". softpedia. Retrieved 2008-11-13. Cite error: The named reference "Intel to Add New Nehalem Xeon Processor" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Intel® Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Datasheet, Volume 2, (Document Number: 320835-002)" (PDF). Intel. 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
- ^ a b Worrel, Jon (2009-02-09). "Core i7 950 and 975 to replace 940 and 965". Fudzilla. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ a b c d e f Jansen, Ng (2009-02-10). "Intel Replaces "Havendale" and "Auburndale" With 32nm Die Shrinks". DailyTech. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2008/0326/kaigai02.pdf
- ^ "VISIO-Intel_CPU_Road Map_.vsd" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ Smalley, Tim (2007-09-19). "Westmere is Nehalem's successor". bit-tech.net.
- ^ "Carry-Less Multiplication and Its Usage for Computing The GCM Mode – Intel® Software Network". 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b Fuad Abazovic (2008-09-16). "Westmere 32nm to improve Nehalem features". Fudzilla.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b c d Ng, Jansen (10 February 2009). ""Gulftown" is the Flagship of 32nm "Westmere" Line". DailyTech. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ "Intel Clarkdale Processor". XTREVIEW. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b Ng, Jansen (2009-02-10). "Intel Aims for Efficiency With New Server Roadmap". DailyTech. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b Bell, Brandon (2009-02-10). "Intel CPU Roadmap 2009–2010". FS Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "The Intel Tick-Tock Model of Architecture & Silicon Cadence". Intel Corporation.
External links
- "Intel Core i7 CPU & Nehalem Architecture Review". hardCOREware.net. 2008-11-03.
- "Intel Nehalem Core i7 Series Complete Review". PC Perspective. 2008-11-03.
- "Intel Nehalem Core i7 940 Review". Xtreview. 2008-10-01.
- Altavilla, Dave (2008-03-17). "Intel Showcases Dunnington, Nehalem and Larrabee Processors". HotHardware.
- Shrout, Ryan (2008-03-28). "Intel Slides and Nehalem architecture information". PC Perspective.
- Stokes, Jon (2007-03-28). "Intel drops a Nehalem bomb on AMD's Fusion: integrated graphics, on-die memory controller, SMT". Ars Technica.
- Lal Shimpi, Anand (2007-09-18). "Nehalem: Single die, 8-cores, 731M transistors". AnandTech.
- Holland, Maggie (2007-09-19). "IDF 2007: Intel debuts Nehalem". IT Pro.
- "Intel takes the silicon out of chips". Jerusalem Post. 2007-11-13.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - "Everything we know about Nehalem" (in Spanish). CHW.net. 2008-01-05.
- "Bloomfield will cost less than 400 dollars". Xtreview. 2008-02-01.
- Stokes, Jon (2008-04-09). "What you need to know about Intel's Nehalem CPU". Ars Technica.
- Torres, Gabriel (2008-03-17). "Details on the Forthcoming Intel Nehalem Processor". Hardware Secrets.
- Kanter, David (2008-04-02). "Real World Technologies article on Nehalem's microarchitecture". Real World Technologies.
- Shimpi, Anand Lal (2008-06-05). "The Nehalem Preview: Intel Does It Again". AnandTech.
- Shimpi, Anand Lal (2008-08-21). "Nehalem - Everything You Need to Know about Intel's New Architecture". AnandTech.
- "Intel Nehalem-Architektur". Hardware-Infos. 2008-09-20.
- "First Look at Nehalem Microarchitecture". X-bit Labs. 2008-11-02.