Intel shows off CPU with 48 cores

**Olivon** · 12-02-2009, 01:20 PM

Intel researchers have created an experimental many-core processor with 48 cores. The so-called single-chip cloud computer (SCC) features 24 dual-core tiles with 384KB L2 cache per core and is made on a 45nm HKMG process

The SCC chip features four integrated DDR3 memory controllers, there's one memory controller per six tiles and they can address up to 64GB DDR3 memory. The two cores on each tile communicate through a message buffer, and routers allow each tile to share data with other tiles. Also interesting is the power-efficient design, each tile can run at a different frequency and there are six banks of four tiles that can run at different voltages.

The 48-core chip features a total of 1.3 billion transistors and measures 567 square millimeters, power consumption is said to be between 25W and 125W. Intel said about 100 or more of these experimental chips will be made for research facilities, with the goal of developing new software and programming models for the many-core future.

Intel PDF

Credits : DVHardware

Edit : Intel Video

**BulldogPO** · 12-02-2009, 01:26 PM

Very interesting find.

**DMH** · 12-02-2009, 05:03 PM

Is it just me or do I see 4 8-pin EPS connected to that motherboard?
Great chip by the way

**Serpentarius** · 12-02-2009, 05:39 PM

that's a real low power consumption ... just 25-125W to power this monster
wonder when will be the time they stop experimenting it and release it to mainstream?

or maybe after the military and juice up their goodies?

**haylui** · 12-02-2009, 05:40 PM

again, age old question: x86 compatible?

**IvanAndreevich** · 12-02-2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by haylui

again, age old question: x86 compatible?

Yes, it says so in the PDF. They call it by the IA-32 name.

Anyone know what kind of cores they are, though? Maybe something like Yonah shrunk to 45 nm.

**Buckeye** · 12-02-2009, 06:08 PM

I can see Movieman going nuts over this, shoot I would be also

A Dual CPU motherboard for 96 cores ... Wait Movieman prolly has this allready LOL !

**Chumbucket843** · 12-02-2009, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by IvanAndreevich

Yes, it says so in the PDF. They call it by the IA-32 name.

Anyone know what kind of cores they are, though? Maybe something like Yonah shrunk to 45 nm.

no way. these are much different from modern cpu's. its a much more efficient use of transistors. probably more similar to p5 generation.

**haylui** · 12-02-2009, 06:31 PM

I read the news in Tom's hardware
Intel's spokesmen said it as if it would definitely bringing revolutionary changes in very short time...LOLz..what an article

**Mechromancer** · 12-02-2009, 06:54 PM

Maybe it can fold 6 F@H Big work units, 56,000PPD each. That would be neat.

**Mabyboi** · 12-02-2009, 08:52 PM

waits for movieman to somehow get one of these before the general public... or two...

**Unoid** · 12-02-2009, 09:59 PM

guys this is just LRB in disguise.

**Movieman** · 12-02-2009, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by Buckeye

I can see Movieman going nuts over this, shoot I would be also

A Dual CPU motherboard for 96 cores ... Wait Movieman prolly has this allready LOL !

SHHHHHHH! Don't tell everyone. Working on it!

**JumpingJack** · 12-02-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Buckeye

I can see Movieman going nuts over this, shoot I would be also

A Dual CPU motherboard for 96 cores ... Wait Movieman prolly has this allready LOL !

Don't get too excited, from the press release it is purely a research vehicle. Perhaps, in time, it will evolve into something but for now it is just a show thingy.

**Neuromancer** · 12-02-2009, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by DMH

Is it just me or do I see 4 8-pin EPS connected to that motherboard?
Great chip by the way

I only see 2 but most servers have an extra MB socket for powering the vdimms.

**Movieman** · 12-02-2009, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by JumpingJack

Don't get too excited, from the press release it is purely a research vehicle. Perhaps, in time, it will evolve into something but for now it is just a show thingy.

That's what you think!
We already found a place with one and trying to con them, I mean show them the potentials of the system under stressed scientific research in a dynamic envirionment under real world conditions.

yea, I can toss BS with the best of them if needed.

**dartaz** · 12-03-2009, 12:45 AM

Only 567 square millimeters ? Thats really small for an 48 core processor made on 45nm process

With 32nm or 22nm die shrink, intel could easily sell those at reasonable price for desktop users

**Helmore** · 12-03-2009, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by dartaz

Only 567 square millimeters ? Thats really small for an 48 core processor made on 45nm process

With 32nm or 22nm die shrink, intel could easily sell those at reasonable price for desktop users

Really small? That chip has a lower transistor density than NVIDIA's GT200 on 65 nm, while the chip is build on a 45 nm process. I guess CPUs have much different needs and they actually prefer lower densities to allow for higher performance transistors. Or they are performing some kind of magic over at ATI, as they seem to have some crazy transistor densities.

**zsamz_** · 12-03-2009, 03:05 AM

i wonder what movieman would trade or do for that cpu

time to sell your soul

**Helmore** · 12-03-2009, 03:18 AM

Originally Posted by zsamz_

i wonder what movieman would trade or do for that cpu

time to sell your soul

I guess selling a part of his soul shouldn't be too hard for Movieman. His soul would quickly regenerate because of his enthusiasm for folding

.

**zalbard** · 12-03-2009, 03:38 AM

That's one huge chip, 567mm^2...
But 125W max? Really hard to believe this... What was the frequency? 500MHz?

**Mabyboi** · 12-03-2009, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by zalbard

That's one huge chip, 567mm^2...
But 125W max? Really hard to believe this... What was the frequency? 500MHz?

Is that before or after overclocking?

**XS Janus** · 12-03-2009, 04:28 AM

Originally Posted by zsamz_

i wonder what movieman would trade or do for that cpu

time to sell your soul

I wonder if he has anything left to trade for it anymore...

Unless he was born with like 6 kidneys, I think he traded everything he's got!

**Serra** · 12-03-2009, 06:27 AM

From BBC Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8392392.stm

Originally Posted by BBC

Intel said the SCC would be made officially available during the first half of 2010. More details will be released at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco on 8 February, 2010.

H1 2010?! Holy

!