Intel Beating AMD in the Race to 65nm Process - Power Consumption, Intel Faces-off with AMD
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So does it all come down to power consumption and efficiency? Going down to the 65nm process doesn’t cause a huge performance leap, but this is where it should shine.
And indeed those with the early Intel chips are noticing a noteworthy leap in power efficiency. Under load, performance reports vary due to the system and testing, but the Cedar Mill improves on the Prescott by roughly 30 to 35 Watts. In these systems, that proved to be around a 20% improvement in power efficiency under load. This could offer considerable improvement in batter life for laptop users.
However, the improvement is far less noticeable when the systems are idle. Idle power consumption of the Cedar Mills is only 2-4 Watts better, almost enough to be able to see on the charts.
System builders and reviewers have often noticed the extreme difference between Intel and AMD power efficiency. The 20% improvement under load doesn’t do enough to put Intel ahead of AMD while their competitor is still using 90nm design process. Most reviewers of recent dual-core chips notice that AMD’s X2s consume about 45% less power than Pentium equivalents. As one example of many, a Zdnet reviewer saw n Athlon 64 X2 3800+ system eat 162W, while the Pentium 820 swallowed a massive 245W. If Intel’s performance chips knock off the same sort of power consumption as the Cedar Mill does for the Prescott, AMD is still in the lead.
But what is important is that the lead is closing. AMD is staying competitive despite being stuck with the 90nm design process for at least a year longer than Intel. Then again, this is just one more tool for Intel’s arsenal. This may not be the last word on how Intel does with the 65nm process, and some speculate the company is taking it slowly after previous problems on the 130nm process transition.
Intel intends to hold its position when coming to 45nm design. Intel’s stated date that they plan to release 45nm chips is toward the end of 2007. AMD is holding one year later, at 2008.
So shrinking design process to 65nm may not bring any sort of performance revolution, it serves mostly to put Intel “back in the game” as far as power consumption. The chip giant will be rolling out the chips in full force next year. It may not make much impact on desktop PCs, but Intel is sure to find a marketing spin. For those considering buying a decent Pentium laptop, it might make it worth holding out briefly.
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