Scan's TekSpek

If there's one thing we should know about Intel processor technology, it's that it progresses like clockwork. We see a new fabrication process every two years (45nm in 2008, 32nm in 2010, 22nm in 2012, and so on) accompanied by a relentless Tick Tock release schedule. For those unfamiliar with Intel parlance, let's expand on the latter.

It's now three years since Intel released the Core i7 processor and associated X58 chipset, making up the LGA1366 platform. Then ushering in a new era for high-performance PCs and with numbers still to be bettered by AMD's rival Bulldozer chip, Intel's has the high-end desktop market sewn up for a while.

AMD has lifted the wraps off a new CPU architecture formerly known by the codename Bulldozer. Now released as the FX series, this TekSpek delves into the technology behind the new chip.

Overclocking, a term which you've probably heard used by enthusiasts and high-end system builders, involves running a hardware component at a greater speed than it was originally designed for. See how this can be achieved on the latest Sandy Bridge CPUs from Intel.

Chip giant Intel launched 29 new processors on January 2011. Split between mobile and desktop chips, this TekSpek examines the underlying architecture, known as Sandy Bridge, and evaluates where the new processors fit into Intel's consumer line-up.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brains of every computer, be it a large desktop or thin-and-light laptop.

Intel launched the consumer-oriented Core i7 900-series processors back in November 2008, and the chip giant has known that it's been on to a winner with Nehalem, the codename for the underlying architecture. This is the reason we've seen little innovation on Core i7, and pricing has remained relatively steady since launch.

The Intel Atom is a small, inexpensive, energy-efficient microprocessor that is found in the majority of netbooks shipping today. Designed by Intel Corp. from the grounds-up and to be introduced into a wider range of computing environments, Atom and its derivatives will power many of the low-power computers to be sold in 2009, and beyond. This TekSpek explains what Atom is, and how it's changing the market.

Intel has plans for a new brand structure that it claims will be less confusing for customers. In this TekSpek we'll take a look at Inte's proposals and speculate on its future line-up of processors.

Intel’s been on a mission of late. That mission revolves around grouping and standardising key technologies under various banners that are designed to ensure hardware compatibility and consumer ease of use. We’ll take a closer look at three such technologies that fall under the headings of Centrino, Viiv, and vPro, respectively.

This TekSpek explains the technology and market positioning behind AMD Phenom II CPUs.

This TekSpek gives a brief overview Intel's new ' Nehalem’ generation of Central Processing Units (CPUs).

Over the course of the last year or so we’ve seen GHz become less of a focus when it comes to processors. Instead, we’re seeing a shift towards processors that do more work per clock, have larger caches, are more power efficient, and of course we’ve seen dual-core processors hit the market. So what is dual-core all about, and how does it weigh up compared to single-core?

Intel introduced the industry’s first quad-core processor for mainstream servers on November 14th, 2006. Codenamed Clovertown, the quad-core 5300-series Xeons are based on Intel’s advanced Core microarchitecture and can be implemented in both single- and dual-processor systems.

In the same way that Centrino technology defines Intel’s vision for mobile computing hardware requirements, Intel’s vPro technology platform amalgamates a collection of hardware requirements for better management of a business PC network.

The purpose of this TekSpek is to delineate the publicly known features of Intel’s next generation desktop microarchitecture. Codenamed Conroe and officially titled Intel Core 2 Duo, it’s loosely based on the current mobile Yonah (Core Duo) underpinnings.

It’s been a long time since MHz were the only part of a CPU’s specification that concerned people. Manufacturers take different approaches to CPU design, even when using the same architecture. That means for example, at the same clock speed, an Intel and AMD processor will deliver different performance.

The purpose This TekSpek quickly and easily explains AMD’s new processor socket and related technology to the reader, comparing it to AMD’s previous socket types.

This TekSpek explains what AMD’s AMD64 CPU instruction set architecture (ISA) is, shows what CPUs implement it from both AMD and Intel, and explains what software is available to run on those 64-bit consumer processors.

This TekSpek discusses Intel’s 45nm process technology. What it is, what it provides, and how it benefits the consumer.

This TekSpek discusses AMD’s triple-core and quad-core processors, what they are, what the technology offers and the targeted market.

There’s been a lot of hype about Intel’s Core 2 recently, even since they launched Core in fact. Words like Conroe, Badaxe and Allendale have been flying around. The bottom line is that Core 2 is the name of Intel’s latest line of CPUs, based on a new micro-architecture, designed for speed and efficiency.

Intel’s Core 2 Duo is now slugging it out against AMD’s Socket AM2 Athlon 64s with DDR2 memory support. So what is next on the roadmap from the two chip-vending foes?