Intel "Sandy Bridge" (2011) thread

[stmok]

Intel Sandy Bridge: Details of the next gen
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2 ... -next-gen/

To recap:

* Like the current generation of Core i3/i5/i7 lines; there will be two socket formats.
* Both will use DDR3 type RAM.
* New instructions: Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)...Obviously boosts floating point performance.
* Northbridge has pretty much integrated onto the CPU silicon. Motherboard will only have the Southbridge.

LGA1155 (aka: "H2")
=> Mainstream market.
=> dual and quad-core versions.
=> This is NOT compatible with the current LGA1156 (aka: "H1").
=> The electrical layout of H1 and H2 are completely different! => You need a new motherboard!
* SATA 6Gbps will be supported via Southbridge.
* NO native support for USB 3.0. It'll be a combination of USB 2.0 (native) and USB 3.0 (via third-party chip).
* PCI-Express controller on CPU is 16 lanes. (or in dual x8 lanes for dual video card mode).
* Memory controller is dual channel like current LGA1156.
* IGP, RAM controller, PCI-Express controller, etc are all in one silicon. (32nm process)

LGA2011
=> Performance/Enthusiast/Workstation market.
* CPU is currently codenamed: "Sandy Bridge-E"
=> Quad-and six-core CPUs...Eight-cores rumoured.
* Memory controller is quad channel.
* PCI Express 3.0
* CPU has integrated PCI-Express controller: 32 lanes. (In dual x16 or four x8 arrangements.)
* SouthBridge may offer up to two SATA 3Gbps and ten SATA/SAS 6Gbps ports.

Regardless of socket configuration; you will have to change mobo with the new CPU.

[stmok]

Sandy Bridge to enable 35W desktop CPUs
http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/18545/35/

Looks like there will be 35W and 45W variants...The green folks will be happy.

Sandy Bridge rumors
http://www.semiaccurate.com/2010/04/21/ ... ge-rumors/

This article talks about an enthusiast getting their hands on an Engineering Sample of the CPU/mobo.

The block is 100MHz instead of 133MHz and we heard confirmation that this time around Intel finally managed to get rid of the ck505 on the boards, something Intel wanted to do on socket LGA1366 already. This means all the clocks are created and managed internally, which has overclockers worried. According to rumors Sandy Bridge (115X) won't overclock as nicely as Bloomfield (1366), Gulftown (1366), Lynnfield (1156) or Clarkdale (1156) processors, which have a default base clock of 133MHz and reach 200MHz with aircooling easily and up to 240MHz if you're lucky.

And don't expect a notable performance boost. This is pretty much the same step Intel has taken in its Atom CPU lineup from Diamondville to Pine View, that is, shrinking the chipset and merging it into the CPU core, so the main focus is cost and power consumption.

So basically, don't expect mind blowing performance...And overclockers maybe disappointed.

Its about saving money and power by putting everything into a single silicon.

[stmok]

Sandy Bridge Quad core in 65W TDP
http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/18588/35/

Quad-core with improved IGP; rated 65W TDP...And overclocking support in the retail product.

Value Sandy Bridge platform at 40W TDP kit
http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/18590/35/

The neutered version of Sandy Bridge, (that will be marketed to us consumers as "Pentium"); will have a low TDP for a modern day desktop chip. It would make sense that this will be a dual-core solution like the existing Pentium G6950.


65W rated quad-core processors in 2011? Where do I sign up?!

[stmok]

Update...From a Chinese site.
=> http://digi.tech.qq.com/a/20100502/000135.htm

There appears to be three socket formats for "Sandy Bridge".

LGA1155 (aka: "Socket H2")
=> Dual-channel RAM
=> 20 PCI-Express lanes. (???)
=> Replaces current LGA1156 line.
=> Affordable to Mainstream desktops.
=> Up to 4 cores.

LGA1356 (aka: "Socket B2")
=> Triple-channel RAM (3 RAM slots per CPU socket. 2 slots per channel. => 6 slots)
=> 24 PCI-Express 3.0 lanes.
=> One QPI (Intel QuickPath Interconnect) link.
=> Replaces current LGA1366 line.
=> Performance/Enthusiast desktops. (Or 1 to 2 processor sockets for Xeon entry-level line.)
=> Up to 8 cores.

LGA2011 (aka: "Socket R")
=> Quad-channel RAM (4 RAM slots per CPU socket. 3 slots per channel. => 12 slots)
=> 40 PCI-Express 3.0 lanes.
=> Two QPI (Intel QuickPath Interconnect) links.
=> Server/Workstation; 1 to 4 processor sockets for Xeon premium-level line.
=> Up to 8 cores.

Don't expect to see the LGA2011 socket unless you (or your work) will be forking out for an expensive high-end server/workstation motherboard.


On a side note:
You can see someone contribute into the Linux Kernel 2.6.34 development code for Sandy Bridge's IGP (Affordable/Mainstream desktop variant.)
=> http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/g ... 27c96453be

[stmok]

This may shock some of you, but it looks like the IGP in Sandy Bridge is going to break the poor performance reputation of past Intel IGPs.

Here's a brief video demo from Intel's Computex presentation in Taiwan.
=> http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/01/inte ... rm-at-com/

In addition to the improved performance, power consumption is less than half of an equivalent performing Core i7 with a discrete video card!
(I'm guessing Intel's future IGP is able to match/exceed today's budget-ended discrete video solutions.)

[stmok]

Intel to Ramp Up Sandy Bridge Aggressively on Desktop Market.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/displa ... arket.html

Intel's next generation is coming at the end of this year (last quarter), in the form of dual/quad processors under the marketing names of Core i7, Core i5 and Core i3 processors.

Just a reminder: even though they won't have a name change, Sandy Bridge based processors need a new motherboard! (Socket format has changed)

According to the article, dual core models will be spec'ed at 65W TDP, while the quad core models will be 95W TDP.

[stmok]

First Intel Sandy Bridge processor specs slip out
http://www.electronista.com/articles/10 ... bove.32nm/

Summarised "juicy bits"...Nothing below 3.0Ghz.

Core i3 2100 => 3.1Ghz
Core i3 2120 => 3.3Ghz
(Dual-core. Hyperthreading. 3MB of Level 3 cache)

Core i5 2400 => 3.1Ghz
Core i5 2500 => 3.3Ghz
(Quad-core. No Hyperthreading. 6MB of Level 3 cache)

Core i7 2600 => 3.2GHz
(Quad-core. Hyperthreading. 8MB of Level 3 cache)

No solid info on prices or power consumption specs yet.

[stmok]

Enthusiasts are going to be disappointed if these rumours are true...

Intel plans to deliberately limit Sandy Bridge overclocking
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2 ... clocking/1

Effectively, this would allow Intel to have the "K" versions of the same processors at premium prices.

It reinforces the modern notion of "Enthusiasts" being nothing more than morons with big wallets.

The classical meaning of "Enthusiast" was to find a relatively affordable (but highly overclockable) processor to squeeze the max performance-price out of it . (Often having the performance that rivals far more expensive processors.)

[stmok]

Blog entry: What happens if Intel does end overclocking?
=> http://www.bit-tech.net/blog/2010/07/29 ... rclocking/

In its long history, Intel has only recently acknowledged enthusiasts anyway, and as with all the other markets it competes in, it's really only interested if it can make serious money - hence its idea of making up for lack of sales volume with high prices. Spend a thousand dollars and get a CPU with a fully unlocked multiplier.

The biggest losers aren't actually consumers, but Intel's partners: motherboard guys mostly, but also heatsink and the watercooling companies. Multiplier overclocking puts very little stress on the motherboard beyond power provision and if every CPU can achieve the top multiplier then what cards do motherboard companies left to play? The major marketing arm for almost everyone right now is overclocking - overclocking events, overclocking quality and stability, HWBot etc. It's seen as the F1 of the industry: developments here fritter down to use mere mortals through BIOS updates and the next board revision.

If that angle is taken away then we're left with less than scintillating features such as energy use, component quality and price.

[stmok]

Are you ready to have a geek-gasm?

According to TechReport.com, a German site has released two lists indicating desktop and notebook versions of Intel's upcoming "Sandy Bridge".

Site posts purported Sandy Bridge launch lineup
=> http://techreport.com/discussions.x/19437

For your convenience...

The following Desktop processors will be in LGA1155 socket format.
(Looks like Intel is releasing "mainstream" versions first. I think they all have IGPs.)



K = multiplier is UNLOCKED.
S = 65W TDP version.
T = 45W TDP version (quad-cores) or 35W version (dual-cores).



X = Extreme Edition version
Q = Quad-core version

What is not known is the ULV (mobile) versions or the Enthusiast (desktop) versions. Rumours say those ones will be released later in 2011.

Enjoy.

[stmok]

Update info on IGP portion of LGA1155 processors...It will have a Turbo mode.
=> http://www.expreview.com/11683.html

CPUs with IGPs running at 850Mhz to 1350 MHz
=> Core i7-2600 and Core i7-2600K

CPUs with IGPs running at 850Mhz to 1100 MHz
=> Core i7-2600S
=> Core i5-2500, Core i5-2500K, and Core i5-2500S
=> Core i5-2400 and Core i5-2400S
=> Core i3-2120
=> Core i3-2100

CPUs with IGPs running at 650Mhz to 1250 MHz
=> Core i5-2500T

CPUs with IGPs running at 650Mhz to 1100 MHz
=> Core i5-2390T
=> Core i3-2100T

[stmok]

Intel's 'Sandy Bridge' to use new specialized silicon
=> http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20013897-64.html

The new info is that it will have hardware accelerated transcoding! (Accelerated ability to convert one audio/video format to another.)


In other parts of the web...

An enthusiast has got their hands on an engineering sample of the LGA2011 version...
=> http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/sho ... p?t=256851
(Its an 8-core version...16 threads in total with Hyperthreading.)

...No info on performance. Looks like they are under NDA. (Non-Disclosure Agreement).

[stmok]

Sandy Bridge Celeron coming in Q3 2011
=> http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/proc ... in-q3-2011

US$50 for dual-core with IGP under Celeron brand name. Comes in this time next year.

[stmok]

Anandtech gives everybody what they're waiting for...

The Sandy Bridge Preview
=> http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the- ... s-in-a-row

This isn't the usual useless marketing talk...They have benchmarks!
(Its an engineering sample that's almost like the Core i5-2400...But it doesn't do Turbo. So its stuck at 3.1Ghz, instead of scaling to 3.4Ghz as necessary.)

Remember how I said back in June that Sandy Bridge's IGP will break the poor performance rep? Well, the numbers in the article confirm it!

Enjoy the article.

[stmok]

More info...

Intel's Core 2011 Mobile Roadmap Revealed: Sandy Bridge Part II
=> http://www.anandtech.com/show/3876/inte ... ge-part-ii

2 Core (12 EU) IGP model? = All mobile versions AND K-series on Desktop.

The major difference between mobile Sandy Bridge and its desktop countpart is all mobile SB launch SKUs have 2 graphics cores (12 EUs), while only some desktop parts have 12 EUs (looks like the high end K SKUs will have it). The base GPU clock is lower but it can turbo up to 1.3GHz, higher than most desktop Sandy Bridge CPUs. Note that the GPU we tested in Friday's preview had 6 EUs, so mobile Sandy Bridge should be noticeably quicker as long as we don't run into memory bandwidth issues.