Intel Saturday officially released the latest core processor code-named Haswell

The real problem for Intel, industry insiders say, is whether users need such a processor. Although Haswell is Intel's fourth generation of core technology, it is also commented that Intel has launched its first core processor in the post-PC era. Current consumers want smaller, thinner, more portable computing devices, while smartphones and tablets can achieve more and more traditional PC functions, such as reading e-mail, browsing the web, and watching videos.

However, there are still a number of computing tasks that tablets and smartphones are not able to achieve, which is the market Haswell is targeting. Intel says the latest core processor will be stronger than the previous generation, with lower power consumption, resulting in longer battery endurance and lower cooling requirements.

So what's the point? Future mobile PCs are likely to be lighter and thinner, with a charge that can be used longer and more powerful than current Android and iOS devices. As a result, users may prefer to buy windows notebooks, rather than smartphones and tablets.

New product line

The new Haswell processor still includes the core i3, i5, and i7 three grades, and Intel has also released a new desktop and mobile chipset, the models being Z87 and Q87 respectively. To understand the performance of Intel's new processor, PC has reviewed the new core i7-4770k desktop and compared it to the previous generation of Ivy Bridge processors and AMD's best desktop processor a10-5800k. PC also evaluated two desktop boards using the intel® Z87 chipset.

Among the major OEMs, Hewlett-Packard has announced that it will launch several products with Haswell processors, but has not disclosed which types of processors will be used. Acer, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba have not yet released such information, but they are likely to release such products at the Taipei International Computer Show.

Since mainstream vendors have not yet provided products with Haswell processors, PC Lab first evaluated products from small vendors, including desktops from digital Storm, Micro Express and origin, and notebooks from Cyberpower. Intel's overall strategy and the architecture of the Haswell processor are worth knowing first before getting run-time data.

"Tock (tick)" strategy

Intel refers to the product development model as "tock". Intel updates the chip manufacturing process every two years to integrate more transistors on a unit of silicon, a "Tick". In the next year, Intel will update the entire microarchitecture, a "tock".

Intel introduced the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture in early 2011, using the 32 NM manufacturing process, a "tock". In April 2012, Intel introduced the Ivy Bridge processor, which developed a manufacturing process from 32 nm to 22 nm, a "Tick". The Haswell processor will use the same 22 nm manufacturing process, while Intel will use the 14 NM manufacturing process in its next "Tick" and the product code will be "Broadwell".

Intel will still provide a previous version of the processor, which may have been more powerful than the Haswell processor in some models earlier. Intel has released four core Haswell processors that provide support for Hyper-threading. Hyper-Threading technology enables PC operating systems to create a virtual core for each of the processor's physical cores.

Desktop processors such as Intel's core i7-3930k, i7-3960x, and i7-3970x are based on the sandy Bridge-e microarchitecture, a six-core processor that supports Hyper-threading technology, so the operating system can use 12 cores at the same time, including 6 physical cores and 6 virtual cores. Intel's most powerful CPU is often referred to as the Extreme Edition version, but Intel has not yet announced whether it will release the Extreme Edition version of the Haswell processor.

Haswell Architecture Tuning

Intel has released 4 new series of mobile processors and 4 new series of desktop processors. The entire product line is integrated with the regulator, which reduces power consumption dramatically while eliminating up to 7 other integrated circuits on the motherboard. Intel says this feature will extend the laptop's battery endurance by 50%.

Intel used thermal Design Power consumption (TDP) to measure the power of the computer at its worst, that is, the CPU running at full speed for a period of time. At present, Intel introduces a new concept: scenario Design power consumption (SDP). This is mainly to measure the computer in the media playback and other lightweight applications under the power consumption. Intel will use SDP to measure the processors for tablets and notebooks.

The TDP for mobile Haswell processors is 15 to 28 watts, while the SDP is less than 6 watts. This type of processor integrates the PCH (Platform controller hub). A PCH is often called a south-bridge chip to control the input and output functions of a computer, such as USB and audio. Integrating the South Bridge chip into the CPU will help reduce the motherboard area to support smaller, thinner notebook designs while reducing power consumption. These portions of the CPU will be able to run at very low power consumption, which is known as Soix by Intel. A laptop in an idle state consumes almost zero power, but can be activated to the normal state for as long as hundreds of milliseconds.

PC Evaluation Conclusion

If a user has purchased a desktop with a third Daicouri processor, there is no reason to upgrade to Haswell. But if the computer is 4-5 years old, there is no doubt that the upgrade will bring benefits. (