New Intel Dual-Core Information

[diGitaL]

The Inquirer shows off the first real information about Intel's dual-core processors, which will be released in Q3 2004.
They will be called x20, x30 and the x40.
These processors contain the Smithfield-Core and will have a twin 1MB L2 cache core supporting EM64T extensions and the "execute disable" bit.
Clock speed will be 2.80GHz, 3GHz and 3.20GHz.
They will also have a 800MHz system bus and use the new LGA775 socket.
While we are waiting for it, Intel is going to launch their new 630, 640, 650 and 660 processors, which also will have 2MB of L2 cache in one core.

[wazzledoozle]

Doesnt software have to be written specifically for dual core's? If so, then why not just move over to 64 bit....

[W1zzard]

i would say two cores appear as two cpus to the system .. 4 with hyperthreading?

[wazzledoozle]

Software has to be written for multi CPU systems also.... Seems like just more heat, move to 64 bit Intel you lazy bastards!

[cram]

Doesnt software have to be written specifically for dual core's?

It's the same as having two full processors - if you want any single program to make use of both cores, then yes the software must be written with SMP in mind. However, as long as your OS is SMP aware, then you still get the advantage of having different programs running on different cores.