Skylake (Mainstream) CORE count Speculation Poll

[Kippa]

Maybe other changes in tech requiring more cpu processing power might make intel release more powerful cpus sooner. For example using the codec HEV for 4K content might necessitate the need for beefier cpus and other unforeseen changes in the tech world.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

If is the key word. Also the diesize of the 8 core is much greater. And you know Amdahls law as well as I do. In the wast majority of applications that 4 core will be 50% faster. If everything was so perfect, then we would all use Xeon Phis as CPUs.

I agree.
Currently, typically MOST software would benefit from high clock speed/IPC small number of cored CPUs (rather than equivalent number of cores increase).

Either because the software has not yet been written to usefully/efficiently utilise lots of multi-cores (partly because more than 4 cores is VERY rare on the desktop), or there are technical problems with doing so (Amdahls law and practicability of what limited sized software teams can accomplish).

But on some platforms, e.g. Mobile phones, there is a VERY limited amount of electrical power available (compared to desktops), so having an ever larger number of cores, is one of the few ways available to squeeze more processing power, WITHOUT** increasing the power consumption.

(**More cores ALSO increases the power consumption, but a corresponding clock speed reduction and/or smaller CPU die feature size and/or other tricks, can potentially restore the original power budget, while still giving more performance, if software can utilise the extra cores).

This (limited battery power) is very unlikely to change much in the foreseeable future, except with a modest improvement in battery technology over time.

Assuming there are not suddenly any major breakthroughs in battery technology, such as (easy/cold/safe) fusion-batteries or something.
(Even if such a breakthrough happens, there are still going to be other severe limits in a mobile phone, such as limited heat dissipation, compared to desktops).

Try compare the coolers and you know why. And the GPU is much weaker compared to last time as well.

But again, new consoles overheat too:
https://www.psu.com/a021674/PS4-blinking-red-light---How-to-stop-your-PS4-from-overheating
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...hida-talks-about-the-ps4s-red-light-of-death/

What might happen (it seemed to on the Xbox 360, not sure about PS3), is eventually there is a new version, 100% compatible, but it has a die shrunk version of the CPU/gpu chip(s), and so uses significantly less power, and runs cooler and more reliably.
I am speculating here.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Still too confusing to the average Joe. I demand a 7 core CPU!

Be careful what you wish for.
It actually is natively an 8 core chip.
The 7 core version, is because the NSA decided to consolidate their on-chip stuff, hence it's down to 7.
For some similar reason it drops down to 6 cores for the new China manufactured one.
Then 5, after Russia has distributed it.
(But in all fairness it is still 5 cores when sold in North Korea, except for some reason the case is reshaped into a funny hair pattern, which mysteriously looks like a certain Kim, and internet access is impossible).