jmke

Recently, Intel let it be known that the Pentium M derivative that is planned for the desktop is not intended to replace Prescott. Instead, Prescott is going to continue development as a dual-core CPU. Why is Intel going this route?

So let's say that you're Intel, and you've got this microprocessor architecture that's the backbone of your central product line, with millions invested into developing it and improving it. And let's say that the fundamental premise on which that microarchitecture was built craps out a few years too soon. What do you do? In Prescott's case, it looks like the answer is to try your best to adapt the old design to a new set of circumstances, rather than throwing it out the window.

Ars Technica CPU Editor Jon "Hannibal" Stokes" takes a look at Intel's plans for Prescott and explains the design decisions Intel is making to address the problems they have experienced in the transition to the 90nm process. He also looks at why the future of the Pentium M does not involve hyperthreading. Read all about it!

http://arstechnica.com/cpu/004/presc...rescott-1.html

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