Intel announces 8-core Extreme Edition processors, hints Broadwell & more at GDC 2014

[mmadhankumar]

Game Developer Conference is already underway and we have seen some interesting products being announced. Intel had a few aces up its sleeves for the event as well. Intel announced a variety of processors across its product line up.

Intel announced its first 8-core Haswell-E desktop processor which will support the new Intel X99 chipset and will also be the first desktop platform to support upcoming DDR4 memory. This is the Haswell Core i7 Extreme Edition line and will be available in 2H 2014. No details on the procesor model names or specifications were out yet.

Intel also gave a sneak peek into its next generation processor line up. The Broadwell line up represents the ‘tick’ in Intel’s tick-tock cadence which means that we will only see a die-shrink from 22nm on the 4th gen Haswell to 14nm on the 5th gen Broadwell. The 5th Gen Core processors codenamed Broadwell will come with the Intel 9 series chipset. The Broadwell processors will be the first desktop socketed processors running Iris Pro graphics. This is unlike the BGA or non-socketed R-series Haswell processors, having the Iris Pro graphics, where the processor came soldered onto the board. Intel did not mention if the Iris Pro version is the same as was seen on the Haswell chips or is it newer variation.

Gaming enthusiasts forms a major chunk of users and Intel has something in store for them as well. Around June 2014, Intel is planning to release a new unlocked 4th gen Intel core processors code named Devil’s Canyon which will come with improved thermal interface material (TIM), updated packaging materials and will support Intel 9 series chipset.

Finally, for those of you looking at budget systems, Intel has given some incentive to Pentium buyers. As part of the 20th anniversary of the Pentium brand, the Anniversay edition Pentium processors will come in unlocked SKUs with Intel Quick Sync Video on board which is generally seen on the Core-i series line up. The new Pentium processors will be supported by both the Intel 8 and 9 series chipsets.

Apart from this Intel also announced a new technology called the Ready Mode Technology. It basically takes advantage of the power-saving state (C7 state) in Intel’s 4th gen Core desktop processor combined with software and board level optimisations which enable OEM desktop computers that are instantly ready and always connected while using very low power. Intel has partnered with OEMs such as Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, HP and so on to introduce this feature in upcoming Intel-based desktops.

We would have certainly liked more information on the exact model numbers and more details on the specifications on the new processors. But looks like we will have to wait till the time these new processors officially launch.


Intel announces multiple processor lines at GDC 2014