The Core i7 microprocessor (built on Intel’s Nehalem microarchitecture) represents a major advance in computing to enable chips to handle more data. In this video podcast, Ronak Singhal, a lead architect on Nehalem, says the chip design is an overhaul–the internal core has been changed significantly for added performance, as well as for better energy efficiency.

“We’ve put in features such as Turbo Boost Technology, our integrated power gate, an integrated memory controller, and Hyper-Threading,” he says. The effort took about five years and required thousands of engineers.

“Building this microprocessor brings a lot of people together, like architects, micro architects, the design teams,” commented Rani Borkar, vice president of Intel’s Digital Enterprise Group. “As you get into the development phases, working with the process technology, it’s a mind-boggling effort that requires a lot of teamwork across the board.”

This video takes you into Intel’s labs to meet some of the researchers behind the Core i7.

Tags: chip design, Core i7, energy efficiency, Energy Smart, Francois Piednoel, Gaming, Hyper-Threading, Intel, microarchitecture, microprocessor, Nehalem, Rani Borkar, Regina Wu, Ronak Singhal, Turbo Boost Technology
 
Posted in: Corporate, Intel, Intel Nehalem