Intel Nehalem CPU B1 Stepping Photo

One of the most anticipated releases for late 2008 is Intel's Nehalem processor --its new four core processor that features the return of Hyper Threading, allowing eight logical cores per processor. Recently formally named Intel Core i7 by Intel, the new processor is also highly anticipated as it will feature QuickPath, Intel's answer to AMD's HyperTransport, and will feature an on-die memory controller for the first time.


The latest Intel slides from CanardPlus show that Intel's wafer production is going smoothly and B1 stepping chips are being produced. Sources at Intel estimate that the chip will offer 15 to 20 percent performance gains at a common frequency over today's top of the line Penryn processors. The processor will go head to head with AMD's upcoming 45 nm offering, codenamed Shanghai.