This processor will use 45nm engraving process vs. 65nm currently used for Core CPU models. But new features do not stop here:
- Penryn will fit 410 million transistors for the dual core version, and 820 million transistors for the quad core model. Currently dual-core Conroe (desktop version of Core 2 Duo) uses only 298 million transistors.
- larger cache memory (at least 6MB).
- Penryn will be the first Intel CPU to embark new transistor technology: Intel's high-k, metal gate transistors replace the silicon-based elements of the transistor. According to Intel's documentation, this technology will increase current 20, which should lead to a 20% increase in performance. Last but not least, it would also translate into a 5- to 10-fold reduction in source-drain and dielectric leakage. IBM and AMD just announced their 45nm Chip High-K Gate Process .
- As we already mentioned it previously, Penryn will feature the new Intel SSE4 instructions set aiming to enhance performance for multimedia.
Concerning back-compatibility of Penryn on current Conroe motherboards, both Intel representatives did not provide real information. What is known:
- Penryn will initially launch on Socket 775, however it does not imply that Intel will not make it evolving towards a new socket as it already done it in the past for other CPU.
- if firmware updates could solve some problems linked to CPU upgrade, it remains unclear if Conroe motherboards will be able to power properly the Penryn.
However, modification to be performed on the motherboard might not be major ones, so one could imagine some upgrade kits to be released by motherboard manufacturers.
Apple should of course be able to use this CPU in its future hardware models, however it remains unclear in which model? Notebooks will evolve to Santa Rosa, while MacPro will soon be available with the Quad Core Xeon. So, will Apple use Intel desktop CPU in its consumer dedicated hardware models, aka, iMac or a potential “MacPro for the mass” tower model?
To conclude, Penryn is an evolution of the current desktop CPU class, the next Intel CPU revolution will come next year with Nehalem.
