Sandy Bridge architecture overview

[IntelUser2000]

Based on the infos that are shown from IDF happening today, here are some details on Intel's next generation microarchitecture code-named Sandy Bridge.

CPU
-Addition of uop cache on top of what's in Nehalem
-2 load + 1store ports compared to 1 load and 1 store
-Physical Register File
-New and improved branch predictor optimized for power
-2nd load port helps on store forwarding(benefits lots of code)
-Area efficient 256-bit FP
-SHA acceleration
-faster ADC and arithmetic multiply

Graphics
-Larger register file
-New transcendental math capability with 4-20x more throughput
-Improvements on the ISA/branching
-CISC ISA to improve instruction throughput
-Overall each EU is 2x more capable than previous generation(
-Supports up to 4 displays independent or concurrently
-4x Multi-sampled AA(the earlier parts support 1x, so nothing)
-With AA they also added DX10.1 support
-OpenGL 3.0
-OpenCL 1.1?

L3 cache sharing between CPU cores, GPU cores, media and integrated memory controller

Ring architecture
-96GB/s per ring connection*
-384GB/s bandwidth last level cache(L3) with 4 cores, or 192GB/s with 2 cores*
-Modular for easier configuration between dies

*At 3GHz

Other
-Improved power management that will be more in line with workload
-Ability to Turbo Mode to single core frequency with all or most cores active for a brief time

 

[OCGuy]

I am really hoping for something that is worth me ditching 775 for general computing/gaming.

 

[mv2devnull]

I am really hoping for something that is worth me ditching 775 for general computing/gaming.

Seconded.

Unrelated to the architecture, I was pondering the third-party HSF and how 775/1156/1366 all have different layout for HSF attachment. When will such 1155/2011 details be published? Next year?

 

[ilkhan]

s1155 is compatible with s1156 heat sinks. AFAIK we dont know about s2011.

SB keeps looking better and better to me.

 

[Idontcare]

Ring architecture
-96GB/s per ring connection*
-384GB/s latency last level cache(L3) with 4 cores, or 192GB/s with 2 cores*
-Modular for easier configuration between dies

*At 3GHz

Seems a tad overkill, doesn't it?

 

[Nemesis 1]

There is also this .
Intel's new processor graphics delivers enhanced visual features focused on the areas where most users are computing today: HD video, stereo-3D, mainstream gaming, multi-tasking and online socializing and multimedia. The graphics core fully supports DirectX 11 and other advanced graphics functionality.

Intel also stated that each EU is 2x the old. Someone else said its 25x faster than intels 2007 IGP for what its worth . The direct 11 part is of interst since I read somewhere that SB couldn't do compute for cpu. BUt BUT BUT its Direct 11.

 

[piesquared]

It's not DX11.

 

[Scionix]

For someone mostly illiterate in the terms above, any reason to feel like my i7 920 is getting old?

 

[Nemesis 1]

It's not DX11.

Where did you get that idea. Intel has always maintained that it doesn't matter what DX is used they can do it. They even said they could do cuda if it were open.

Don't take my word for it .

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/di...ntel_Demonstrates_Sandy_Bridge_Processor.html


http://msn-cnet.com.com/8301-13924_3-20016302-64.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=ns&tag=feed

I put in 2 opposing reports , But intel has said it doesn't matter what DX is being used. But ya its always been the way the second link shows.

If SB could do testalization It would likely be DX11 . Its does however support CL1.1

 

[Sp12]

For someone mostly illiterate in the terms above, any reason to feel like my i7 920 is getting old?

For gaming? You would be just as fine with a Core2quad chip at a decent clock. For video encoding, scientific work, and productivity? SB looks to be quite a bit better.

 

[piesquared]

Where did you get that idea. Intel has always maintained that it doesn't matter what DX is used they can do it. They even said they could do cuda if it were open.

I believe they were refering to the dead Larabee architecture with that statement. DX11 isn't something they can bolt on because they want to. I'll be surprised if it supports 10.1

[edit]

Well according to your link I guess it will support DX10.1. But according to the same link, no DX11. Thanks for the link, now I don't have to use mine.

 

[TuxDave]

Seems a tad overkill, doesn't it?

Not when it comes to graphics, then bandwidth is king!

 

[Idontcare]

Not when it comes to graphics, then bandwidth is king!

Its impressive. I can't wait to get one.

 

[extra]

Where did you get that idea. Intel has always maintained that it doesn't matter what DX is used they can do it. They even said they could do cuda if it were open.

"Intel has always maintained that it doesn't matter what DX is used they can't do it" --Fixed. Even the latest GMA stuff in the i3/i5 series only "mostly" supports DX10 (waivers baby, yeah!). The i3/i5 stuff has horrible image quality glitches, same as the 4500 series did. (Do want to point out that the i3/i5 stuff is passable for WoW, though, yay...though the texture quality is fairly poor!)

Now SB looks like a massive performance boost, but don't count on the SB drivers magically becoming Nvidia/AMD graphics driver quality upon release. I'm sure they'll improve by leaps and bounds now that graphics is more of a focus though.

I've always kind of wondered if there isn't some sort of horrible cosmic joke being played on us and some group of bored programmers get together during the week to make Intel graphics drivers and then in their off time they get really wasted and write the AMD AHCI drivers...

 

[Nemesis 1]

^ Why do you always take everthing out of context and than twist and turn it to fit your agenda.

 

[IntelUser2000]

On the graphics side they mention reduced overhead for graphics due to better hardware and compute capability. Whatever they learned from trying to get Larrabee they are applying it.

I wouldn't be surprised OpenCL isn't totally out of the question.

 

[OCGuy]

DX11 doesnt run very well on top-end discreet cards ATM. I think DX11 would be the least of Intel's considerations at this moment in time.

 

[mv2devnull]

I wouldn't be surprised OpenCL isn't totally out of the question.

Ideally one could compile OpenCL code for any CPU, GPU, IGP, or combination of them. Open standard ...

Speaking of open standards, quad-buffered OpenGL stereo with active shutter glasses is what I call "3D stereo". Therefore, I do bet that my expectations about "stereo support" are about to fail much more likely than the "direct tm" hopes of John Doe.

 

[Shmee]

not bad actually. A few concerns though:
-Hexcores, will they be available?
-Overclocking, and memory controller OC, as well as triple channel, are these supported?
-number of PCIE lanes? Will it be good for multi GPU setups?
-How will perfomance compare to a an Oced 980x?

All the above seem skeptical to me. Also, will the s1155 mobos be any good?

 

[Nemesis 1]

Its a shame many here don't like the easy O/C of the unlocked K series. They will miss out on great performance because they can't O/C a $100 cpu . Hay who the hell is suppling the cring towels this year . We need them bad without the towels to soak up those tears we be flooded . To bad those cry babies won't get this kind of performance.
http://twitter.com/LegitReviews/status/24425351100

On water that should be 24/7 stable.

 

[Acanthus]

Its a shame many here don't like the easy O/C of the unlocked K series. They will miss out on great performance because they can't O/C a $100 cpu . Hay who the hell is suppling the cring towels this year . We need them bad without the towels to soak up those tears we be flooded . To bad those cry babies won't get this kind of performance.
http://twitter.com/LegitReviews/status/24425351100

On water that should be 24/7 stable.

For me it will be all about where performance actually lands. I don't pay more than $300 for a CPU or more than $200 for a motherboard.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Ideally one could compile OpenCL code for any CPU, GPU, IGP, or combination of them. Open standard ...

Speaking of open standards, quad-buffered OpenGL stereo with active shutter glasses is what I call "3D stereo". Therefore, I do bet that my expectations about "stereo support" are about to fail much more likely than the "direct tm" hopes of John Doe.

Doesn't SB support open GL 3?

 

[Nemesis 1]

For me it will be all about where performance actually lands.

I am sure it is for most forum types. But 4.9ghz on Air . Should be no brainer for 24/7 stable operation on water. Thats great performance . Add on top of that 20%+ IPC improvement and the topend 2600K(of the lowend) should destroy the present highend intel cpus with eas. Than in one year I get IVY cpu as upgrade. Which will likely at very least double SB IGP performance . Thats a 2 year roadmap that I like better than anything , I have ever seen thus far in this business.

 

[dorion]

I'm still waiting for Intel's reason that the socket had to be changed. I don't see anything from Anand's review that would require a new socket unless the 'Extensive power and thermal management for PCI Express and DDR' is more than just on die improvements.

Also the lack of PCI Express 3.0, which would have validated a new socket, is depressing.

 

[Acanthus]

I am sure it is for most forum types. But 4.9ghz on Air . Should be no brainer for 24/7 stable operation on water. Thats great performance . Add on top of that 20%+ IPC improvement and the topend 2600K should destroy the present highend intel cpus with eas.

I have seen nothing to indicate that the IPC has increased that much in any real world scenario.

I'm more concerned with where the 2600k price point is.