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Intel moves from megahertz to 'performance per watt'

updated 04:25 pm EDT, Thu August 18, 2005

Intel marketing shift

Intel will take a new marketing approach when it introduces new line of processors next week. eWEEK reports that the company will begin . "Intel is expected to detail next week at its IDF (Intel Developer Forum) a plan to begin building multicore chips with the architecture, a modified version of the circuitry behind its Pentium M notebook processor, during 2006. Intel's announcement will publicly signal an internal shift that's already taken place. After years of promoting clock speed, it's now emphasizing overall performance and power-efficiency. Intel's shift to processor numbers and its wholesale move to multicore processors sealed the deal for the architectural change, as power can be a limiting factor in fitting two or more processor cores together into a single chip."

 
Previous Comments

ppw

08/18, 04:42pm reply

so is that ppw or is there some other abreviation (sp?) for power per watt

swatson

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Joined: Nov 2000

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Huh??

08/18, 05:23pm reply

Ok, Who gives a sh*t about wattage?

Is there anyone out there bragging that thier Mustang Mach 1 can shoot out 2000 watts? How about any iPod owners? anyone care how much wattage the 40G uses? anyone??

Computers are about how fast they can run.. not how efficient they are. And those that do care (like laptop users) could care less about the actual wattage ratings. they just wanna know how long the batttery will last.

eldarkus

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Joined: Feb 2004

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Focus

08/18, 05:36pm reply

That's why they are focusing on this, because a portable that can last six to eight hours on batteries trumps a portable that can last for two.

Think about it. The majority of sales of computers these days are for laptops and not necessarily desktops.

So if you find something with decent processor performance (speed) but can last a long time without charging, that's where you'll win in the marketplace.

Todd Madson

Mac Elite

Joined: Apr 2000

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From the article:

08/18, 05:40pm reply

""It's not even so much even performance per watt as it is fitting higher performance computing into more constrained environments, either constrained by power, by [heat] or by noise or size," said Dean McCarron, principal analyst at Mercury Research Inc.""

Not everyone wants to have the nine fans of a server - like computer in their home, nor do they want it emanating two hundred degree farenheit heat. They don't really want a case that's the size of a small Buick.

Power bills can be eye opening too.

Todd Madson

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Joined: Apr 2000

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Megahertz Myth?

08/18, 06:13pm reply

Coming soon: The “Megahertz Myth” : The Intel Perspective!

aljawad

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Joined: Nov 2001

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RDF per watt

08/18, 07:12pm reply

Steve cares about image, but also about energy efficiency.

Glasspusher

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Re:Huh?

08/18, 07:14pm reply

I care about watts, especially with gasoline approaching $3 a gallon. Folks in Europe already care because their energy prices are higher than ours. Love my new Prius ;)

Glasspusher

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For once...

08/18, 07:46pm reply

..Mac users should pay attention to what Intel has to offer....

Eriamjh

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Joined: Oct 2001

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Re: Love my new Prius ;)

08/18, 09:09pm reply

Although the Toyota Prius is an exceptional vehicle in terms of luxury-per-dollar (LP$), the time it would take you to make up for the increased costs and pollution created by the construction, transport and implementation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive as opposed to a standard engine, you would have been able to purchase one conventional vehicle and an alternative fuel vehicle in three years when they become more popular as gasoline becomes insanely priced (again), and another hydrogen vehicle in 10+ years when they finally hit the market. What I'm trying to say is the Prius has a net negative impact on the environment.

Like I said, the Prius is a great car for driving - but if you're in the market for a car which will save the environment, go for a Civic GX (Natural Gas), Geo Metro or one of the many efficient Kias.

jrbm689

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Joined: Aug 2005

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Nah, LP$ it sucks

08/18, 10:03pm reply

First, in terms of luxury-per-dollar, the Prius sucks. Second, I don't want my ipod measured in Mhz I want it in GB thank you very much. What's up with applying a specific benchmark in a single situation and then generalizing it to cars and music players? The truth is..

It IS ALL a Lie. Would you believe Megahertz? PPW, PP, MUN (made up name), SPeck 365... or even 'how long the battery lasts.'? The market is saturated, Apple and the requirements for Vista are the only driving forces in the old 'upgrade' sales method (not counting throwing away a pc instead of bothering to re-install) everyone who has listened to some salesclerk try to push battery life knows they are full of it. What..is that like w/ the drive asleep, the screen dimmed, the performance scaled, and only playing solitaire w/ one Move Per Minute?

In the world of Laptops, where you have a measured fuel supply (battery), it makes a lot of sense. But it's like MPG NOT HP. Even hybrid owners want to know MPG. Tank>Units of Gallons>Distance. Sure it's not a straight conversion, but it's a good way to state it.

technohedz

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