Nehalem lined up for 2008 Xeons

Latest roadmap updates from the firm put Nehalem-EP (Efficient Performance) in the second half of 2008.

Nehalem is the codename for a generation of chips that brings architectural update (Core 3) to Intel's x86 family of products. This chip sports support for Simultaneous Multi-Threading and shared cache architecture (L2 and L3 are now shared).

Since this product is intended for low-volume ramp-up, it did not made any sense to put it in the desktop arena, so this chip will debut as a Xeon, paired with Tylersburg-36D chipset.

Being low-volume, there is a slight possibility that this CPU will also end up in Intel Skulltrail refresh (upcoming dual-socket 775 platform for enthusiasts), becoming Intel V8 Gen3.

Nehalem-EP bears some interesting markings, such as Mission Critical markings (MC) for RAS on 2-512 socket space, Expandable (EX) for RAS on 2-32 socket space and EN (Entry) markings for entry-level 1-2S space. Overall, Nehalem-EP is ground for a very efficient and modular generation of products.

This roadmap update puts Penryn on the market as a top chip for just two quarters, or just about, enough to tweak up the 45nm, High-K manufacturing process in Intel's freshly built fabs. µ

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