Intel Delays Quad-Core Itanium To Add Features
Intel's Itanium processor has been around for what feels like ages, but
clearly the chip maker isn't ready to retire the name and move on to
something different just yet. We've just learned that the
latest iteration of the Itanium, which has been codenamed Tukwila,
won't begin shipping as soon as previously expected. According to a
company spokesman: The "RISC-based server processor was scheduled to
ship early this year. However, Intel decided to push back the release
by several months in order to add capabilities. The processor itself is
fine, but Intel has made the decision to add some engineering
enhancements."
So, what capabilities could be so important, you ask? The most vital enhancement causing the delay is compatibility with DDR3 memory chips, which -- quite honestly -- seems like something a chip shipping in 2009 simply must include. The DDR3 standard enables support for a maximum memory module size of 16GB, and considering that no amount of RAM is really enough (particularly in the server world), adding support for said protocol is probably a smart move. Furthermore, Tukwila is seeing compatibility added for the "same motherboard socket that will be used in future Itanium chips, codenamed Poulson and Kittson." By tossing this in, Intel is assuring prospective buyers that they can upgrade easily to those future chips without having to also purchase a new motherboard. A classy move, and one's that equally beneficial for Intel.
We'd have to agree with the aforementioned spokesman when he stated that "these moves are definitely in the Itanium customer interests," and while any delay is unfortunate, this seems like one we can actually respect and appreciate. Look for the quad-core Itanium -- complete with eleventh hour extras -- to ship sometime around mid-2009 if these most recent plans hold firm.
So, what capabilities could be so important, you ask? The most vital enhancement causing the delay is compatibility with DDR3 memory chips, which -- quite honestly -- seems like something a chip shipping in 2009 simply must include. The DDR3 standard enables support for a maximum memory module size of 16GB, and considering that no amount of RAM is really enough (particularly in the server world), adding support for said protocol is probably a smart move. Furthermore, Tukwila is seeing compatibility added for the "same motherboard socket that will be used in future Itanium chips, codenamed Poulson and Kittson." By tossing this in, Intel is assuring prospective buyers that they can upgrade easily to those future chips without having to also purchase a new motherboard. A classy move, and one's that equally beneficial for Intel.
We'd have to agree with the aforementioned spokesman when he stated that "these moves are definitely in the Itanium customer interests," and while any delay is unfortunate, this seems like one we can actually respect and appreciate. Look for the quad-core Itanium -- complete with eleventh hour extras -- to ship sometime around mid-2009 if these most recent plans hold firm.
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