Intel Core Duo (Yonah) Performance Preview - Part II
by Anand Lal Shimpi on December 19, 2005 12:55 PM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
It's called the Core Duo
When Yonah first started appearing on roadmaps, we knew it as Jonah, which then starting being written as Yonah. Eventually, Intel confirmed its existence and we had always assumed that it would continue to use the name Pentium M. However, given the great importance of the launch of Intel's first dual-core, low power, notebook processor, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that Intel has a new name in store for it. As you've probably already heard, Yonah will receive the marketing name "Core" with the words "Duo" or "Solo" following it depending on whether it is the dual or single core version. The name Centrino will still be there, but instead of referring to the processor as a Pentium M, it'll be called a Core Duo or a Core Solo. The Centrino platform itself will be referred to as Centrino Duo when paired with a Core Duo processor. We have to admit, we kind of like the new name.
Not so pleasant, however, are the new processor numbers that go along with the new processor names. Gone are Intel's simple three-digit numbers and they have since been replaced with a four-digit number preceded by a letter. The letter indicates the thermal envelope of the processor, while the following four digits denote the performance level of the CPU. If you think that this sounds oddly similar to AMD's Turion processor nomenclature, don't worry; you'd be completely right (of course, the Turion only uses two numbers, while Core Duo uses four). Maybe, one of these days, Intel will get around to copying some more important elements of AMD's history, such as an on-die memory controller or at least a serial bus interface.
As an example of the numbers in use, the 2.0GHz processor that we previewed in the first article will be sold under the name "Intel Core Duo T2500". For your reference, the T2600 will run at 2.16GHz (compared to the 2.0GHz T2500). The Core Solo processors will feature a "1" after the "T" denoting a single core; for example, the Intel Core Solo T1300 will run at 1.66GHz.
Intel's Core Duo and Solo processors both support a 667MHz FSB, which is enabled by the 945 chipset that Intel is pairing with them. The move to a 667MHz FSB is necessary, thanks to the increased bandwidth demands of a dual core processor.
As we mentioned in the first article, the Core Duo (and Solo) processors are not pin-compatible with the older Pentium M, even though they physically have the same number of pins.
When Yonah first started appearing on roadmaps, we knew it as Jonah, which then starting being written as Yonah. Eventually, Intel confirmed its existence and we had always assumed that it would continue to use the name Pentium M. However, given the great importance of the launch of Intel's first dual-core, low power, notebook processor, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that Intel has a new name in store for it. As you've probably already heard, Yonah will receive the marketing name "Core" with the words "Duo" or "Solo" following it depending on whether it is the dual or single core version. The name Centrino will still be there, but instead of referring to the processor as a Pentium M, it'll be called a Core Duo or a Core Solo. The Centrino platform itself will be referred to as Centrino Duo when paired with a Core Duo processor. We have to admit, we kind of like the new name.
Not so pleasant, however, are the new processor numbers that go along with the new processor names. Gone are Intel's simple three-digit numbers and they have since been replaced with a four-digit number preceded by a letter. The letter indicates the thermal envelope of the processor, while the following four digits denote the performance level of the CPU. If you think that this sounds oddly similar to AMD's Turion processor nomenclature, don't worry; you'd be completely right (of course, the Turion only uses two numbers, while Core Duo uses four). Maybe, one of these days, Intel will get around to copying some more important elements of AMD's history, such as an on-die memory controller or at least a serial bus interface.
As an example of the numbers in use, the 2.0GHz processor that we previewed in the first article will be sold under the name "Intel Core Duo T2500". For your reference, the T2600 will run at 2.16GHz (compared to the 2.0GHz T2500). The Core Solo processors will feature a "1" after the "T" denoting a single core; for example, the Intel Core Solo T1300 will run at 1.66GHz.
Intel's Core Duo and Solo processors both support a 667MHz FSB, which is enabled by the 945 chipset that Intel is pairing with them. The move to a 667MHz FSB is necessary, thanks to the increased bandwidth demands of a dual core processor.
As we mentioned in the first article, the Core Duo (and Solo) processors are not pin-compatible with the older Pentium M, even though they physically have the same number of pins.
Dothan (Pentium M) on the left, Yonah (Core Duo) on the Right
Dothan (Pentium M) on the left, Yonah (Core Duo) on the Right
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fitten - Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - link
Which should make you think about the supposed "magic" of the on-die memory controller that everyone constantly raves about as being *the* reason why the Athlon64 is as good as it is (hint: there are other reasons, the IMC is just one piece of why).
Marmion - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
I don't get it why everyone expects a mobile chip to out-perform a desktop chip.Yonah/Core Duo is specifically a low power optimised dual core processor for laptops. Its fine to use it as an indication of the future conroe/merom, but bear in mind that these will see faster clocks, further optimisations for their specific use (desktop/mobile respectively).
Next month, Intel will have no competition for dual core laptops untill the Turion X2 comes out. Will you think that the mobile version of a desktop processor will be able to perform the same? No, because of optimisations for the all-important mobility factor (battery-life and weight).
If you want an uber-powerful desktop replacement X2 processor-powered laptop, you can do that now. But expect no battery life and an aching back or a soar arm from carrying around a 4kg+ brick. So, Intel is now offering a laptop processor, capable of performing similarly to a desktop processor, but with low power consumption, long battery life and low weight.
What am I trying to say? A Turion X2 may be slower than current Athlon X2s and yes I know 65nm vs 90nm. It probably won't be faster anyway, so Intel have a fast, efficient and cheap processor - hey you expect Turion X2 to be as cheap as the single core version?
Apples to oranges? Get over it! The Core Duo uses DDR2, AMD X2 DDR. Intel FSB, AMD Mem controller. You will never get an apples to apples comparison - its business, competition, differentiated products, call it what you like, you buy AMD, you use different RAM, different Mobos, different drivers to Intel, end of story, so its a comparison of platforms, not CPU.
*end rant*
fitten - Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - link
They don't... and that's the point and why many are impressed with Yonah... that it *does* perform favorably to a desktop platform.
Leper Messiah - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
how do you know its going to be cheap? As far as I have seen, there are no prices released for these processors yet. And do you wanna know why we're somewhat dissapointed? Intel (and its fanbois) have been talking about how this new arc. is supposed to be the next big thing. In its current form, its not really.stateofbeasley - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=26062">http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=26062Price points are the same as the current platform.
Yonah is not NGMA. Yonah is a P6 family processor.
People must read the news before they post!!!!
coldpower27 - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
This isn't really new architecture, the next big thing is supposed to be Intel's NGMA, where alot of changes are going to be made.KayKay - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
I am an AMD fanboybut the results (power consumption esp.) are very impressive
guess intel wants to keep things competitive
hope amd ups the ante in response
eetnoyer - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
With AMD announcing the use of SiGe in processors coming up very soon, it looks like they could still get a decent drop in power consumption at 90nm. I'd guess that's what they're waiting for to release the Turion x2. I doubt that it will be quite enough to match the power consumption of Yonah, but should mostly suffice until the 65nm shrink. It will also apparently serve to greatly reduce the area required for L2 cache by shrinking the cells. Once that happens I imagine that AMD will hold a small power/performance lead over Merom/Conroe/Woodcrest since adding 64 bit will tend to up their power consumption somewhat. At that point, AMD will be using SOI and SiGe, while Intel will only be using SiGe.As for continuing the ramp of frequencies, I don't think that it's going to play a hugely significant role going forward. That's why everyone is going multi-core these days. It looks like rough performance parity is here to stay between the two. What I think AMD is aiming at is a duopoly in the CPU market. That is the point of the lawsuit, and the greatly expanding capacity that AMD is targeting (Fab36, Chartered, Fab38, etc...). What Intel really needs to worry about is AMD's ability to increase their brand awareness and supply large vendors reliably. Once that happens, Intel will need to compete on price. While AMD is very comfortable living on $100 ASP, that would be catastrophic to Intel's bottom line. I think over the next few years (barring any catastrophic screw-ups by AMD) we are going to see alot of cost-cutting at Intel.
Sorry for the off-topic ramblings, but I tend to look at things from an investors' POV.
Leper Messiah - Monday, December 19, 2005 - link
So I guess the biggest question for these (at least to me, since I don't have a need for an uber-lappy) is price and a converter for a mobo, and I guess OC-abilty. If they can match clock speeds of the x2s (2.6GHz+) and come out to be cheaper, then I might consider buying one of these, but I don't see AMD's desktop market being threatened, considering Intel's last gasps with netburst (let it die already!).If AMD can milk another 400MHz or so out of its K8 arctechture in its current form, they'll stay competitive with mermom it seems to me. Yonah certainly isn't the AMD killer the intel fanboi's have been heralding it as though.
fitten - Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - link
I've seen a number of "reports" of these Yonahs (Core Duo) hitting 2.5GHz quite easily without even raising the voltage. It's "as if" it were designed to run in the 2.5-2.6GHz range but not released that way... yet.