Ask About Computers Blog

Current quad-core products from Intel–Core 2 Extreme quad-core and Xeon 5300 processors–should fit inside their dual-core counterpart systems.

Core Microarchitecture Quad-Core Processor

Core 2 Extreme was initially released as dual-core.

The Xeon 5300 series is the quad-core equivalent of the 5100 series.

Core 2 Extreme quad and Xeon 5300 processors are basically made up of two of their dual-core brethren: two Conroes (Core 2 Duos) or two Clovertowns (Xeon 5100s) joined together and fitting in a single CPU socket.

Pin layouts are the same for the corresponding dual-core and quad-core processors.

Unless the CPU is permanently attached to its socket, as is sometimes the case, upgrading to one of these quad-core systems, from the dual-core, at most should require a BIOS update thanks to “socket compatibility with existing Intel platforms“.

The primary interconnect used in computers today is PCI Express (PCIe).

PCIe Slots

For years computers primarily relied on parallel bus technology. PCIe came along in 2004. PCIe marked a switch from parallel bus technology to a serial bus. “Its introduction signaled the transition of computing platform I/O from the parallel bus model that had existed since the PC industry’s inception to a high-speed, serial I/O standard“.

Extensions to PCIe are currently being investigated, proposed, and supported by divers companies.

Throughput vs. Power Efficiency

Almost nothing saps a notebook’s battery strength like a vigorous (802.11) wireless connection. Intel wants both long battery life and a robust wireless connection. But it’s a balancing act. The next generation of Centrino aims to provide the “best balance of throughput and power efficiency“.

802.11n

First there was 802.11b. Then 802.11a, followed by 802.11g. The next variant of wireless Ethernet shall be 802.11n.

802.11n Network Devices

Intel used to wait until the ratification process of standardization had been completed before introducing its 802.11 products to market to ensure compatibility with other 802.11 devices made by other companies. Smaller companies prematurely forged ahead with their own proprietary versions of the latest 802.11 technology, which in theory at least led to interoperability problems.

Intel, however, now intends to enter the market for the next variant of wirless Ethernet, 802.11n, before the end of the ratification of the standard. “To ensure optimal user experience with this solution before the 802.11n specification is officially approved, Intel has created an 802.11n interoperability program“.

Possibly the landscape has gotten more competitive, and Intel’s position less secure. If Intel does not introduce an integrated 802.11n solution with its notebook platform before the final ratification of the standard, someone else will.

Nokia 3G WCDMA Base Station

Cellular Network Connectivity

Intel shall offer additional wireless options in its next generation of Cenrino Duo. Future Centrino Duo notebooks are to send and receive data over cell phone wireless networks in addition to over traditional WiFi nets, which require Access Points. In this way, Intel should “expand connectivity options for laptop users“.

Cellular wireless Internet connections exists today, and many feel that the ever-present wireless connection, even though it’s relatively slow, is well worth $50 or so a month. Intel’s cellular wireless, however, should be integrated into the system and not require additional hardware.

Robson Technology

Robson technology shall be a part of the new Centrino Duo mobile technology platform. “The new systems will also include Intel’s innovative flash memory-based accelerator“.

Robson is NAND flash memory inserted into the main board (as opposed to the hard drive). The NAND flash performs many of the functions that hard drives perform. Advantages include faster boot and resume times, applications run faster, and the technology consumes less power.

Ultra Mobile PC

The PC continues to fragment in the mobile space. “Intel continues to expand its product portfolio of mobile devices“.

The platform for the next Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) has been announced. The CPU will use one half the power and be one quarter the size of current CPUs. Power savings and smaller sizes translate into new form factors, smaller form factors, longer batter life, yada, yada, yada.