14 DAY TRIAL // INTEL is patiently waiting for AMD's 4x4 platform to come out. And that proves two things. First it is quite clear that they are not afraid since no K8 based product can challenge a Core 2 CPU when it comes to pure performance at the same speed. If you translate that phrase into what the 4x4 vs Cloverton duel will look like, you will probably reach the same conclusion. INTEL cannot lose.
The second idea behind the calm that surrounds Santa Clara mogul is related to its future CPUs. INTEL knows very well that the Star CPU line coming from AMD will come out sometime next year and will probably be very competitive against their CPUs so they too are developing new architecture in order to maintain the leading position.
This is where Bloomfield comes into place. And this CPU will probably play an important role in the 2008 CPU wars since it will be a single-die 45nm quad core CPU. That translates into faster CPUs using smaller dies (results in lower TDP and heat producing). But it unfortunately will also bring a new Socket B (1366 pins) and DDR3 support which will make it incompatible with the actual LGA 775 pinout.
DDR3-1600 coupled with a 1600 FSB sounds interesting when you look at the problem having in mind more bandwidth. But that's not the end of the surprise. A new form of improved Hyper Threading will be introduced along with the arrival of this new CPU, meant to improve especially rendering based applications. Whether this will work or not, remains to be seen. But look at the new HT solution this way: at least something good came out of the Netburst architecture.