Dueling Dual-Cores: 2006 Mobile CPU Forecast

What's So Great About Merom?
Intel's most aggressive move in mobile processor technology will come in the second half of 2006 with the company's debut of its Next Generation Micro Architecture (NGMA). Intel believes so strongly in NGMA that the company is basing its entire line of future CPUs — desktop and server included — on this new architecture.

		Mobile CPUs In 2006
		•  Introduction •  Intel Fires First: Core Duo •  Intel Ups The Ante: Merom •  AMD Retaliates: Turion 64 •  What And When To Buy

NGMA will debut in the form of "Merom," the code name for Intel's upcoming dual-core mobile processor. Not surprisingly, this CPU will maintain Intel's emphasis on aggressively pushing the performance-per-watt metric. Intel has released numerous technical details explaining Merom's theoretical superiority, such as:

65nm process: Like the Core Duo processors, Merom will be fabricated on a 65nm process. In addition to providing increased financial efficiencies, moving to 65nm fabrication allows a larger number of transistors on a single chip. This provides a stronger foundation for innovation on dual- and multi-core platforms, and also results in decreased temperatures and faster performance. (The term 65nm refers to the width of the smallest circuit wires on the semiconductor. For comparison's sake, a typical human hair is 80,000nm in diameter.)

14-stage pipeline: Merom will process data in a 14-stage pipeline, which means that it can utilize lower clock speeds, which will result in lower temperatures and power consumption. (The Pentium 4 Prescott architecture uses a 31-stage pipeline, which requires super-high clock speeds and results in the processors' characteristic high temperature.)

Shared L2 cache: As with the Core Duo, Merom's shared L2 cache will result in faster data processing.

L1 cache communication: Each CPU core will be able to access each individual L1 cache, which will result in improved cooperation between the two cores.

64-bit support: Merom's 64-bit processing will pay off in terms of system performance when Microsoft releases Windows Vista, scheduled for the end of 2006.

It appears that Merom processors will be compatible with the current Centrino Duo platform. This is a good thing because it will mean an easy upgrade for system resellers. That means smaller price increases for consumers.

Intel has not released specific details regarding Merom clock speeds. The company has also not officially announced what brand name Merom-based processors will be released under. However, given the marketing emphasis around the brand new Core Duo moniker, it's a safe bet that these new CPUs will carry the same name, but with different model numbers.