Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/1786



Intel Roadmap Introduction


We've skipped a lot of the corporate and enterprise discussion for most of our recent Intel roadmaps. There's a good reason for the omission: very little had changed from the previous roadmaps. Every time we see a new Intel roadmap, the amount of information compressed into the 60 to 80 slides is simply staggering. Desktop, Mobile, Server, Enterprise, and Internet Appliance plans are included, and that's just the broad categories. Within each of those you find information on the chipsets, motherboards, and sometimes cases and other details. With few exceptions, there is almost always enough content for a couple articles, though you often need to dig a little deeper to find the interesting bits. We've got several pieces coming out of our latest Intel roadmap, with this article focusing primarily on the corporate sector.

Besides the information density of their roadmaps, devoting large portions to the needs of businesses and corporations is one of the things that really sets Intel apart from AMD right now. Sure, AMD has the faster desktop parts, and there are many AMD adherents that feel that should be enough for anyone looking to purchase a new computer. That is, simply put, a distorted view of the world. For home users and enthusiasts, that attitude makes a lot of sense. As much as I like my AMD systems, though, if I were to start a business that had 25 or more computers, there's a good chance I'd be running Intel systems, and there's a good chance they would come from Dell (or some other large OEM). How can that be!? Am I not an enthusiast? That's near-blasphemy! Before any of you begin leveling charges of Intel favoritism, let me explain.

If I were running a medium-sized or larger business, as much as I would like to have faster systems, taking the time to hand-build that many PCs is simply not making good use of time. Businesses normally want identical PCs (in order to simplify support), they want better warranties, they want one point of contact, and they want all of the systems assembled and delivered in a relatively short time frame. Higher performance that might enable employees to play games would actually be a bad thing, so sticking with an integrated graphics solution unless something faster is required would be a good idea. Finally, businesses don't want some fly-by-night shop to disappear after building the systems, leaving them to deal with problems on their own.

Until AMD can get partners that focus on bringing out Corporate/Enterprise desktop systems - not just "Small or Medium Business" systems - with AMD processors, most companies won't consider switching. (Incidentally, we're actually testing some AMD SMB systems right now, and they've left a good impression. It's unfortunate that they aren't billed as Large Business systems, though.)

Before we continue with the roadmap, we found some information at the end of the roadmap that can serve as a helpful glossary and/or technology primer. Intel throws around code names, acronyms, and technical jargon with wild abandon in their roadmaps, and we tend to follow suit. (We would guess that there are at least 50 code names listed in any given roadmap!) We'll use quite a few of these terms throughout many of our roadmap articles, so it's only fair to give you a quick cheatsheet.

Intel Technology Glossary
Feature Description
Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT) Improves CPU utilization by processing two software threads on one core.
64-bit computing / Intel EM64T 64-bit computing and related instructions.
Demand Based Switching (DBS) with EIST Enables server/workstation platform to go into reduced power state during periods of low use.
PCI Express Next generation serial I/O technology offering scalable bandwidth up to 8 Gigabits/Second.
DDR2 Memory Enables faster memory and increased memory bandwidth at lower power compared to DDR.
Dual Core Improves processor throughput by increasing CPU resources.
Intel I/O Acceleration Technology (I/OAT) Platform level I/O acceleration based on improvements in the Processor; MCH and LAN (ESB2 or NIC).
FBD (Fully Buffered DIMM) Memory Next generation memory technology that uses DDR2 DRAMS in a serial point-to-point interconnect.
Intel Active Management Technology (IAMT) System state-independent access to management functions and asset data.
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) Hardware enhancements to the processor enabling Improved virtualization solutions.
Pellston Certain cache errors can be handled without restarting the system.
Foxton Enables CPU to operate at increased frequency when CPU power is below specified max levels.


You know things are complex when the simplified definitions of terms include cross references and even self-references. Virtualization Technology enables improved virtualization solutions? Who would have guessed? If you'd like additional explanations of what some of the terms mean, feel free to ask and we'll do our best to answer. Several of the above features that are summarized with a single sentence could easily be the topic of a lengthy article.


Stable Image Platform Program


Let's talk about some of the advantages that Intel offers large businesses. One of the key items is the Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP). The idea is quite simple: Intel defines a platform and guarantees availability of that platform for at least 12 months (and often slightly longer). In the exact wording of the roadmap: "At least 12 months of Deployment for Image Compatible Platforms." That means both processors and chipsets, with specific feature sets required as well.

This is important because large corporations only want to support a few types of systems if at all possible. They'll have a hard drive image (images) with the base software and drivers installed, and after transferring that image onto the hard drive, the new PC boots up and can be ready for use in a matter of a couple hours (less depending on network speed, system speed, package customization, etc.) That allows the IT department to be staffed by just a couple people with headquarters usually handling the creation of disk images and installation packages. Every new system supported requires at least some updates to the image process, so corporations will have a set system that they purchase for an entire year. Bang for the buck is a far less important factor than stability and support.

Taking things a step further, though, Intel recognizes that a single platform isn't sufficient for every business need. They have two desktop SIPP options, the Intel Professional Business Platform and the Intel Fundamental Business Platform. The former typically includes slightly faster processors and some other extras, and it caters to the higher-end businesses that may do content editing, 3D rendering, audio/video, etc.; the latter is targeted more at companies that just need the typical office applications. Businesses also like portable computers, of course, so besides the two desktop configurations Intel also has a SIPP for Mobile systems.

All this adds up to an attractive lineup for many companies, and it is one of the reasons why Intel continues to dominate the business sector. Business partners can find out far in advance what the next recommended platform will be, and while many would argue that they overspend for the Intel recommendations, it's one less decision to make. If you feel your computers are outdated and slow, what do you do? Simple: upgrade to the latest Intel recommendation. No consultation required, and no worrying about parts; you just go to an OEM and grab their current business PC, and you're done. Buy a few extras, so that when systems inevitably break down you have a spare while you wait for repairs, and at least in terms of computer availability your company should have few if any problems. The going rate for such a system - including 17" LCD and a three year warranty - is around $1400. 25 such systems will cost around $35000, which is on the low end of the salary scale for an IT worker. Remember also that hardware and support is included in that price, so if the SIPP allows you to cut at least one IT position per 25 computers, you've come out ahead.

If AMD wants to gain market share from businesses, they and their partners will need to provide similar platforms with guaranteed availability. Certainly, it helps that Intel manufactures not only the processors, but the chipsets and even motherboards as well. As you'll see in a moment, SIPP computers are not for the enthusiast - we'd even go so far as to call them boring and underpowered. However, it is important to understand the bigger picture; enthusiasts are really a small - though vocal - part of the computing market. Here are the current and upcoming SIPP specifications from Intel.

Stable Image Platform Program
Platform Name Processor Chipset Features
Professional Business Platform 2005 Pentium 6xx 945G HT; 800FSB; 2MB L2; DDR2; PCIe; GbE; EM64T; AMT; GMA950
Professional Business Platform 2006 Pentium 9xx Broadwater G DC; 800FSB; 2x2MB L2; DDR2; PCIe; GbE; EM64T; New AMT; VT; New IGP
Business Platform 2004 Pentium 530-550 915G HT; 800FSB; 1MB L2; DDR/DDR2; PCIe; GbE; GMA900
Fundamental Business Platform 2005 Pentium 531 945G HT; 800FSB; 1MB L2; DDR2; PCIe; GbE; EM64T; GMA950
Fundamental Business Platform 2006 Pentium 631+ Broadwater GF HT; 800FSB; 2MB L2; DDR2; PCIe; GbE; EM64T; New IGP
Mobile Business Platform 2004 Pentium M 855 family Centrino; Intel Pro/Wireless 2100
Mobile Business Platform 2005 Pentium M 915GM/PM/GMS Centrino; Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG and 2915ABG
Mobile Business Platform 2006 Yonah SC/DC 945GM/PM/GMS Centrino; Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG; [VT; AMT; Pro/1000 PL/PM Network]


The 915G and Pentium 5xx SIPP is being phased out now, though the changes are mostly in the chipset and the support of EM64T with the updated Pentium 5xx parts. Before the 915G SIPP, Intel had the 865G platform with socket 478 HTT/800FSB processors. Even today, a Pentium 4 2.8C is more than capable of handling office work. Intel has refined the SIPP by breaking the desktop sector into two different markets, as we mentioned earlier. As far as we can remember, this is a change that has only come about with the latest platforms - 915G didn't have separate "Professional" and "Fundamental" recommendations.

The newly launched Intel Professional Business Platform is a decent system, at least in terms of the CPU and chipset. The Pentium 630, 640, and 650 all come with 2MB of L2 cache and HyperThreading Technology, providing for a sufficiently snappy user experience. The 2MB L2 cache isn't a clear victor over the smaller 1MB cache of the earlier Prescott chips, as it has higher latencies, but in the majority of business applications it does come out ahead. For the chipset, 945G is very near the top of the Intel performance ladder, with only the 955X actually surpassing it. The advantage it has over 955X is that it has integrated graphics, and while the IGP is nothing spectacular when compared to even the $50 discrete graphics cards, it gets the job done for office work. GMA950 also supports DVI output, so LCDs get a proper signal for optimal performance. Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) is overkill for small businesses and home computers, but at corporations where they want to monitor the status of every PC, it can be useful. Gigabit Ethernet - provided of course by Intel with their Intel PRO/1000 PM Network Connection - rounds out the platform, providing everything necessary for a business PC; just add RAM, HDD, DVD, and display.

In comparison, the Intel Fundamental Business Platform is very similar, with the primary difference being the recommended CPU. Drop from the 6xx series down to the 5xx series, and you've basically got the Fundamental platform. There are a few other differences, though. First, Intel specifies the 531 CPU rather than leaving the range open. 531 is currently the lowest priced Pentium 5xx that includes EM64T and HyperThreading - the 521 is the same cost, so there's no reason to use the slower part. In fact, the Fundamental platform is simply last year's platform upgraded to an EM64T CPU and the 945G chipset. Also missing from the "lesser" platform is Intel's AMT, but for smaller businesses that likely won't be missed.

Next year's SIPP for both sectors upgrades the chipset to Broadwater - G and GF for the Pro and Fundamental platforms, respectively. In addition to the new chipset, the processors are also upgraded. The Fundamental gets the Cedar Mill 631 or higher part, while the Professional platform moves to dual-core and the Presler processor. Both of those are 65nm parts and likely the last new NetBurst designs, in case you missed our other roadmap. The 9xx chips also include Virtualization Technology, which may prove useful for some businesses. Software development could certainly make use of the ability to run multiple OS versions simultaneously, for example.

Rounding out the Stable Image Platform Program, we come to the Mobile sector. It should come as little surprise that Pentium M/Centrino is the basis of the mobile platform. The current specification includes the use of any of the 915GM/PM/GMS Express chipsets, a Pentium M processor - Banias or Dothan are both apparently acceptable, though Dothan would be more likely - and either Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG or Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG. The networking choices only provide 10/100 Mbit Ethernet, with either dual-mode B/G or tri-mode A/B/G WiFi.

Starting in 2006, the Mobile SIPP gets updated to Yonah processors with new chipsets. Both the single-core and dual-core Yonah chips qualify, allowing for everything from ultra-portable through full-size laptop computers. The chipset options get updated to the 945 variants - 945GM/PM/GMS Express - and the networking component moves to Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG. One thing that isn't entirely clear on the Yonah SIPP is how some additional options come into play. Listed below the main specification are several other items: Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel Active Management Technology, Intel PRO/1000 PM Network Connection, and Intel PRO/1000 PL Network Connection. We would assume that these are optional upgrades to the platform, adding AMT, VT, and/or gigabit Ethernet for clients that desire such features.


Server and Workstation Roadmap

Beyond the Stable Image Platform, the main areas of interest for corporate and enterprise customers are going to be the server and workstation parts. Many roadmaps come and go with few changes to these areas. A few new parts might be announced, but generally the business/enterprise roadmaps are far less volatile than the consumer sector. This is one of the rare occasions where we get a large number of new parts showing up all at once, and in some ways it's a reflection of the recent IDF announcements. In other areas, though, we're simply seeing the Xeon equivalents and enhancements of the desktop world. There have been some updates to the Xeon platforms, so we'll look at those before moving onto the processors.

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Among the conglomeration of acronyms, code names, and features, Intel has announced the names of the next generation chipsets. 5000X, 5000P, and 5000V coincide with the Greencreek, Blackford, and Blackford-VS code names that we had up until now. The chief difference between 5000X (Greencreek) and 5000P (Blackford) is in the configuration of the PCI Express lanes. Greencreek combines two X8 lanes into an X16 slot, while Blackford has three separate X8 connections. It's difficult to think of many uses for the 4000 MBps of bi-directional bandwidth that X16 offers that don't require server functionality, so the chipset breakdown seems to make some sense. 5000V is listed as the "Value DP" chipset, and it comes with some limitations. It only supports one X8 PCIe connection and has a maximum capacity of 16GB of RAM using 8 DIMMs. In contrast, 5000X/P both support up to 64GB of RAM over 16 DIMMs. All of the 5000 series of chipsets also support PCI-X, SATA, I/OAT, and AMT.

Another interesting aspect of the chipsets is the supported bus speeds. Xeon MP will get a bump up to 800FSB with the next chipset, providing for either 667 or 800FSB speeds. Meanwhile, on the Xeon DP chipsets, 800FSB is actually missing. Instead, we have both 667FSB and 1066FSB parts - these are for the upcoming 65nm processors; the current generation 90nm parts will run on current chipsets at 800FSB. The Xeon MP 800FSB is for a few select, high-end parts, with the majority of Xeon MP chips continuing to use 667FSB. Xeon DP is already at 800FSB for most of the parts, so 667FSB is actually a step backwards. Sossaman is the exception, as that chip is the Xeon version of Yonah, but several of the 65nm Dempsey chips will also use 667FSB. Two steps forward, one step back it seems.

Besides the above server platforms, there are also workstation platforms that more or less echo what's listed. Glidewell is the workstation version of Bensley, and Wyloway matches up with Kaylo. There are a few differences, though, like the use of the 975X chipset for Wyloway. No memory type was listed for Truland, but we would assume that it will also be FBD like Bensley and the other 5000 series chipsets. We found the use of the same chipsets for the upcoming NetBurst-based processors as well as the Conroe/Woodcrest parts to be a refreshing change - we won't be forced to upgrade for the new parts, unlike the 915/925 to 945/955 launch. Of course, these are all future chipsets, so no current motherboard or chipset will support the next generation architecture.

That takes care of the platforms, so let's move to the upcoming Xeon processors that will be used in these platforms.

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Many of the entries simply copy the desktop offerings, although the package/socket for the DP and MP systems differs from that of the desktop offerings. We omitted the UP chips, as they are nothing more the Pentium 4 and Pentium D and we've already covered those. We've also left out the majority of the already shipping processors, like the Irwindale and Nocona Xeon DP parts. We did include all of the current Xeon MP parts, mostly because the large cache sizes are impressive. If the 4MB and 8MB Potomac L3 cache sizes aren't big enough, hopefully the 16MB L3 cache of Tulsa will be sufficient! Tulsa takes advantage of the 65nm process shrink to reach its large cache size, while the other Xeon MP parts all make due with 90nm technology. Such large cache sizes make for big - and expensive - chips, needless to say. Tulsa is also the only Xeon chip to get the Pellston technology, which we'll discuss more when we get to Itanium.

Where AMD launched Opteron dual core parts first and followed up with the Athlon 64 X2, Intel has gone the other route and launched Pentium D first, with the Xeon DP/MP parts only now nearing completion. The model numbers of Pentium 4/D/M have spread to the Xeon line as well, with all of the newest parts receiving names in the thousands. 7xxx is for Xeon MP parts and 5xxx is for Xeon DP parts. The 7020 through 7041 will use the older Paxville MP core - the Xeon variant of Pentium D and Smithfield. The 5xxx parts will use the Dempsey core instead, making them Xeon flavors of the Presler core. The Tulsa core is also dual-core, so it will likely get a 7xxx model number as well in the future. There is also one Paxville DP part scheduled for launch, the 2.80GHz chip. Unlike the MP dual core chips, this part doesn't earn the right for a model number. It is also the only 90nm dual core DP part - perhaps 7040 chips that didn't make the cut will be binned as Xeon DP 2.80 chips? We've already talked about the various bus speeds that will be available for the Xeon platform, and you can find the specifics in the table. VT is also targeted to launch with the Xeon MP 7xxx series, although Intel may choose to cut that feature between now and launch, so it is still "To Be Determined" (TBD).

Other than the NetBurst chips, we have a few other parts coming out. Sossaman is the server variant of Yonah. While Intel didn't list TDP for all of the parts - and TDP is itself a misleading number - we do get the 31W TDP of Sossaman at 2.0GHz. That's about one third of the TDP of the Xeon chips, and Intel's talk about performance per Watt is realized in such designs. The other part that shows up for the first time on the corporate roadmaps is Woodcrest. Woodcrest is the server/workstation version of Conroe - at least, one of the versions. While we know that Conroe will have both 2MB and 4MB versions, for now the server edition will be 4MB of cache only. That makes sense, as servers and workstations run application loads that benefit more from additional cache than desktop applications. Other than the amount of cache and the features that will be enabled on the initial Woodcrest parts, we don't have any specific core speeds. Even the "less than 80W TDP" is pretty vague - we'd imagine Woodcrest and Conroe will be targeting more like 50W TDP, judging by Yonah, but that's more of a guess than anything. Sossaman will also get the Xeon monicer, as far as we can tell, while Woodcrest is still TBD.


Enterprise Server Roadmap

The last sector is one that few people will actually encounter, but we always find the Itanium roadmaps to be interesting. Intel has repeatedly stated that the desktop sector isn't really ready for 64-bit processors and OSes, and we have to say that they're right. XP-64 is available, but we can't actually recommend anyone switch to it just yet. Driver support is lacking, and performance isn't any better for most applications. Intel is also wrong, of course: we need 64-bit consumer processors before we'll get 64-bit consumer OSes and applications. The 32-bit 386 was launched years before we ever saw a proper 32-bit OS, for example. Intel wanted the 64-bit consumer world to come from the 64-bit server world, but that has changed and IA64 may now be stuck as an enterprise-only platform.

Talk of multiple cores on future processors does give IA64 a chance, though. For instance, we could always see IA64 show up as a secondary core, and over time it might move to play a more central role. That may or may not happen, but regardless of what the desktop enthusiasts might think of Itanium, Intel continues to update the processor line. In case this wasn't already made clear, all of the Itanium chips support 64-bit applications, but they do not support x86-64 applications - at least not natively. Itanium 2 doesn't support x86 code natively either, but runs it through a combination of software emulation and hardware features. The inability to run x86 code with high performance has been a drawback of the IA64 platform since its inception, but the market for Itanium generally isn't too concerned about x86 compatibility.

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Like the server and workstation parts, Intel has also announced a change in name for the Itanium parts. Future Itanium 2 chips will join the model number club, with the 9000 series currently used for the Montecito-based Itanium 2 chips. Ranging from 9010 up through the 9055, the planned Itanium 2 parts cover a large range of cache sizes, features, clock speeds, and performance. At the low end, the 9010 and 9011 are single core versions of Montecito, with cache sizes and bus speeds that should help them take over the place of last generation's Madison 6MB parts. The model numbers are meant to reflect increasing features and overall performance for the platform, so even though the 9010/9011 are clocked higher than some of the other Montecito chips, the lack of dual cores and the limited L3 cache gives them a lower model number. The dual core additions and other technology in Montecito will have a dramatic impact on computational power, with Intel stating up to a 2.5X increase in computational power relative to Madison-9M. It's not clear whether that's in regards to the 9040 chip or the 9055, though - we would guess they're giving the best case scenario with the 9055.

Some of the other interesting aspects of the Itanium lineup are the bus speeds. With the later model Madison cores supporting up to 667FSB, it's a little odd to see the new cores continuing to support 400 and 533 FSB speeds. The lower speeds may simply be for compatibility with current generation Itanium motherboards. The lack of certain features is also a bit odd. DBS is the Itanium equivalent of Intel Speedstep technology from the desktop and mobile sector. We're not sure why the 9030/9031 and 9010/9011 chips do not include this feature. HyperThreading is also disabled on the same processors, so it may simply be a case of reduced features for a reduced price.

Other features are included on all of the Montecito cores. Pellston is a useful addition, as it allows the processor to detect L3 cache errors and dynamically disable faulty cache lines without requiring a reboot or any administrative intervention. That should certainly increase yields, as the large L3 cache comprises the majority of the die space. While the loss of usable cache might seem like a bad thing, Intel has stated that they will replace processors that develop more than 90 bad cache lines. Even with the smallest 6MB cache chips, that's still less than 0.1% of the total L3 cache. The Vitualization Technology is also present in all the new cores, giving hardware support for certain features that allow concurrently running OSes to be used. Finally, we have the Foxton technology with the listed clock speeds. Foxton allows the processors to run at higher speeds under certain load conditions when the core temperature is below a threshold. Basically, think of it as mild overclocking for the enterprise sector. Most of the chips only support a 200MHz "overclocked" speed, but that's still an 11 to 17% overclock. (The 9030/9031 only sport a 100MHz speed increase - a 6% increase.) The only thing we don't know is how often the higher clock speed can actually be reached. We've seen automatic overclocking tools from others that in practice rarely managed more than a 1% average speed increase.

Montecito is the first Itanium design to switch to 90nm process technology. The switch has allowed Intel to dramatically increase the amount of L3 cache available on the top models. If the Pentium 6xx line's 2MB of cache seems like a lot - there's a law of diminishing returns in respect to cache sizes - the up to 24MB of L3 cache probably seems like hubris. However, increasing cache sizes can help enterprise class servers quite a bit. These systems might have as much as 16 or even 64 GB of RAM, so a paltry 2MB cache can in fact be inadequate for large data sets. Transistor count for the 955 chip is a whopping 1.7 billion transistors - over seven times the size of Smithfield and Presler! What's really amazing is that this is done on a 90nm process. With mainstream chips scaling to 230 million transistors and more on the 65nm process, we have to wonder where Intel will take the Itanium line when they transition it to the new process. Anyone need an Itanium 2 with 48MB of L3 cache? It might be in the woodworks if the blooming L3 sizes of Montecito are any indicator of future trends. Like it or not, you still have to at least respect the ability of any company that can manage to create such a massive processor as the Itanium.

Wrap Up

That takes care of our look at the Business and Corporate section of the Intel roadmap. We probably won't revisit this section again for a while, as changes are pretty infrequent. Most homes aren't likely to see any of the chips or platforms that we've discussed in this roadmap, but if you work for a large corporation the SIPP systems are more than likely what you're already using every day. You may find such systems slow and even less than ideal for many tasks, but the people in charge of purchasing decisions generally look to the enterprise system offerings. As we said before, AMD will need to get partners to market such systems before they'll make any headway, and detailed corporate roadmaps and strategies are a step in the right direction. Big business is more than performance; it's marketing and image as well as partnerships. We'd love to see AMD begin to put an increased focus on this type of information in their roadmaps. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all.

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