IDF 2007: Intel debuts Nehalem

Intel's chief executive Paul Otellini welcomed possibly one of the youngest-ever Intel Developer Forum (IDF) delegates during his keynote speech by showcasing a PC running a three-week old Nehalem chip.

The activity marked the first public demonstration of the micro architecture technology, which the company confirmed is on track to make an official appearance in the second half of 2008.

Nehalem is being touted as a systems-performance booster thanks to being the first Intel processor to make use of the chip giant's Quickpath Interconnect technology with its integrated memory controller and enhanced systems components communications link features.

"Next is Nehalem. We have to move from generation to generation in silicon technology and in alternate years move from microprocessor architecture to microprocessor architecture and next year that's 45nm Nehalem. It's a very dynamic design from a number of perspectives," Otellini told delegates.

"We are able to change the configuration of the cores to meet the needs of increasingly diverse segments or product needs; turning cores on and off and turning caches on and off to optimise performance. The largest configuration that will ship in 2008 will be an eight core product."

Otellini added: "Nehalem is an entirely new architecture that leverages Intel's core micro architecture, bringing leading-edge performance advantages, power efficiency and important new server features to market just a year after Intel leads the industry to 45nm technology."

With the help of Intel fellow and chief Nehalem architect Glen Hinton, Otellini then showcased a Nehalem wafer with 731 million transistors on each die and demoed a machine based on the new technology running Windows XP.

"Hello Paul, I am Nehalem," the PC announced audibly in a synthetic voice. "I am only three weeks old and I'm already talking."

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