Intel updates on Sandy Bridge progress

Intel has used its latest developer forum in Beijing to update on a few of its projects, including Sandy Bridge and Moorestown.

Sandy Bridge is the code name for the micro-architecture that will form the basis of its next-generation 32nm processors, successors to Nehalem, which are set to hit production at the end of the year. Sandy Bridge will the first using Intel's Advanced Vector Extension (AVX), which should boost image, video and audio processing, in addition to aiding scientific and financial simulation and analysis, according to David Perlmutter, executive vice president and co-general manager at Intel's Architecture Group.

Perlmutter also noted that Moorestown - its Atom-based system on a chip - is on track to arrive in the first half of 2010. He revealed a few changes to the processor, saying its platform architecture has been repartitioned, and added new power management and power gating, which will cut idle power use by a factor of 50, in addition to up to using less than 10 times the power its first-gen predecessor Menlow used for things like audio playback.

Intel also used IDF to talk up embedded systems, pushing its Smart TV plans, which will see televisions loaded up with the firm's Atom CE4100 system-on-a-chip (SOC).

"Intel architecture delivers the right combination of performance and power that provides the foundation across all computing devices creating a virtual continuum of computing to enable this common user experience," Perlmutter said.

It also unveiled plans to upgrade its Classmate PC and talked up its Meego mobile software, saying it was getting broad endorsement across the sector.