Intel unveils Haswell processors - 22nm with "tick-tock" technology

Posted by Will Smith

Tuesday, 11 September 2012 14:14

It's arrived ... Intel's next-gen processor, codenamed Haswell. It's based on Intel's "tick-tock" model and retains the 22nm architecture. Expect better overclocking for you extreme enthusiasts and thinner ultrabooks for you pro-sumer ;)

"Intel has released early details of its Haswell computer chips, due for release in the middle of next year. One version of the processors will run at 10 watts, about half as much as its current Ivy Bridge design.

It said the improvement would mean devices could become thinner, faster and offer extended battery life. In addition it said the chips were designed to better support "perceptual" tasks such as voice recognition, facial analysis and depth tracking. Intel is the world's biggest semiconductor supplier to laptop and desktop PC manufacturers, outselling its x86-based chip rival AMD.

Haswell represents the "tock" in Intel's "tick-tock" development model: "Tocks" represent a redesign of a chip's architecture, while "ticks" concentrate on shrinking the size of its transistors.

As such Haswell chips retain the 22 nanometre process used to make the current generation of processors, but overhauls their design. One of the key innovations has been to merge the chip's CPU (central processing unit) with its PCH (platform controller hub).

The CPU carries out calculations and program instructions, while the PCH handles input and output including connections to USB peripherals, audio, and storage. In the current Ivy Bridge design the CPU uses 17 watts and the PCH a further 4 watts, giving a total energy requirement of 21 watts.

Intel plans to release two versions of the processor, one requiring 15 watts, the other 10 watts, marking energy savings of 29% or 52% respectively."

Source: BBC