Intel caps off a turnaround year on Tuesday with the introduction of its first quad-core processors,this ushers in another new era in computing. The capabilities of quad-core microprocessors will bring new possibilities for science, entertainment and business.I had been waiting for something like this since Intel’s introduction of HyperThread Processors which gave a processor Two Minds!!.

That made many of people think if they can simulate two why not four.Well here we are “first quad-core processors” series,four “computing brains” inside a single microprocessor enabling it to multi-task more effectively.I am going to run a “Tri” post series for a complete analysis to reviel the complete story.The post has been divided in 3 parts keeping in mind the vastness of this topic.The series will be as following:

The Triad series:-

• Introduction:: Covers the current buzz.
• Technology Inside ::Core Technology Used.
• Hardware Software Suite ::Vendors Analysis.

Introducing - The Quad Core

On this Tuesday,Intel rolled out four processors for servers under the Xeon 5300 branding, and another processor under the Core 2 Extreme series aimed at hardcore computer gamers, programmers and other people with heavy-duty computing needs,beating rival Advanced Micro Devices to the punch by several months.

The prior version of Intels Processor nicked as ‘dual core’, launched last year, uses two microprocessors to perform tasks at the same time, quad-core doubles the equation, thus further increasing computer processing speeds and energy savings. In the company’s words, the technology simulates four “computing brains” inside a single microprocessor enabling Operating systems to divide the task among four resulting in better and high speed multi-tasking.

But why do we need this quad,is it really necessary?

The answer could be no for an average consumer who is typically doing one thing at a time but when applying it to business servers where the major requirement is to run multiple sessions of a different applications then those quads wll pay a high performance.

Thinking of that, one of the major problem an internet surfer face is when he or she has opened an internet window but a background process such as anti-virus update or googles search indexing starts running and takes up most of the cpu time.

PCs from Dell, Gateway, Velocity Micro and others with the new Core 2 Extreme QX6700 processor should also start to appear in time for the holiday shopping season. That chip is beyond the needs of most PC users, and it generally falls outside their budgets as well, at a price of $999.

But certain PC enthusiasts are always excited about the prospect of having the fastest PC processor on earth for a short time, which Intel’s QX6700 will be until AMD releases a competing chip.

Intel, which is locked in a fierce battle for market share with smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(AMD), had originally promised the quad-core chips for mid-2007 but earlier this year announced it was ramping up production, beating Sunnyvale-based AMD to market by several months.

Here is the Current Market Rates for the Quads:-

Aiming at the high-end market initially, the launch sees the introduction of the Quad-Core Xeon 5300 and Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor families for general purpose servers and workstations, digital media creation, the high-end gaming and other market segments. The company said the Xeon 5300 series servers deliver up to 50 percent faster performance at the same cost as the previous generation Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series it launched less than five months ago.

Gamers Paradise

For the Gamers its going to a paradise as it couples leading Intel processors with support for cutting-edge ATI RADEON x1950 and x1900 CrossFire Edition Graphics.Now thats something really cool.

Intel had been really working hard to set itself again in the market as being give a tough competition from AMD which not only provides higher performance but also at the same price as Intel even cheaper.I had seen this fact standing as taken report from one of the local vendors at my graduation place who sold three folds of AMD processors than Intel.

“We’re back -we’re running hard and setting the pace for the entire industry,” said Pat Gelsinger, Intel’s senior vice president.From the current market scenario the race for the quad-core chip currently amounts to little more than a battle for bragging rights as most of the desktop computer used by home computer software hasnt adapted to the design of the quads and mainstream adaptation is more than a year away.

As far my analysis says its just manufacturers saying “I have got the best processsor in the market to sell”.Adapting to the underlying design and softwares to built upon it will take time.If you have any comment or corrections regarding the topic feel free to suggest and participate in the analysis.

Tags: advanced micro devices, dual core, quad core processors