Parm’s Place

Processor Wars: Intel Strikes Back!

Intel’s new desktop processor; Core 2, codenamed Conroe is almost upon us, and this time around, we should certainly take note.

With AMD reigning supreme in the performance stakes for the past few years, it was merely a matter of time before Intel presented something to make us all give an ooooh and an aaaah.

That time is now, and that something is Intel Core 2.

With early benchmarks surfacing around the web and showing Intel with a distinct performance advantage, Conroe is currently all the buzz amongst enthusiasts.

However, what impact will this have on AMD?
Having obtained a considerable market share, AMD have gone from strength to strength. The AMD A64 has been the enthusiast’s choice for the ultimate desktop solution, leaving Intel wallowing in its wake.
With AMD’s new form factor, AM2, now upon us, I can’t help but wonder how it’ll manage to compete with Intel’s upcoming Core 2 and I’m sure AMD are thinking the same thing!

Processors for the AM2 are built on a 90 nm process, whereas the Core 2 will be built on a 65 nm process. What does this mean? Simply put, in theory the Core 2 will give more performance whilst using less power.
AMD are however boasting a handful of changes to their new AM2 range of processors, with the K8 core’s latest revision now offering support for DDR2 and reduced power consumption.

But are these changes enough to withstand Intel’s new beast?
Where AMD have made a host of lets say, nice, changes for the AM2, Intel have literally pulled out all the stops for Core 2.
Bringing an end to the well known Pentium name some 13 years after its introduction, it was clear that Intel were ready to come out all guns blazing. Having dropped the somewhat lacklustre Netburst architecture like a bad habit, the Core 2 is produced on Intel’s new architecture; Intel Core Microarchitecture.

Although the complete story can only be told once Core 2 is released in July 2006, AMD must surely be dreading the day Core 2 hits the shelves.
AMD must feel that the next revision of their K8 architecture can’t come soon enough.

With the official release of Conroe just around the corner, it won’t be long before we know…no wait, it won’t be long before we confirm, who will reign as performance kings for this year.