Conroe Processor: grandson of Pentium III, nephew of NetBurst?

Posted on Saturday, September 10 2005 @ 0:21 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

A long-awaited event happened the other day — Intel announced at IDF the microarchitecture of IA-32 (x86) processors of the next generation. The new microarchitecture will be the same for all the three classes of processors: mobile, desktop, and server.

The key distinguishing features of the new processors are dual cores, EM64T (x86-64) support, active usage of power saving technologies and introduction of Star Technologies (*Ts), streamlined in the latest versions of Pentium 4 and Pentium M processors. The first versions of the new processors — mobile Merom, desktop Conroe, and server Woodcrest — will appear on sale in the second half of 2006.

What urged Intel to design a new architecture? What is the new architecture based on? And is the new architecture a heir to the old good Pentium III processor, or is it actually a new architecture, even if based on the key principles of P-III? Read on to find out!

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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