Press Release: Intel Demonstrates Hyper-Threading
Posted By Van Smith
Date: August 28, 2001
Intel Demonstrates Breakthrough Processor Design
'Hyper-Threading' to be Integrated in Server Systems in 2002, Move to Desktop Later
INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 28, 2001 - Intel Corporation today announced and demonstrated Hyper-Threading technology, a new processor design breakthrough, improving system performance by 30 percent. Intel's simultaneous multithreading design, originally code-named Jackson Technology, allows a single processor to manage data as if it were two processors by handling data instructions in parallel rather than one at a time. Using Hyper-Threading technology, data instructions are "threaded" as parallel streams for processing.
Designed to improve system performance and efficiency, Hyper-Threading technology is expected to be introduced in Intel® Xeon™ processors for servers in 2002 and incorporated into a variety of Intel products over the next few years. In addition to increased performance, initial validation tests have shown that Hyper-Threading technology can significantly improve the number of Web transactions and users that Intel-based servers can handle at the same time. The technology also holds promise for increasing the speed and quality of multitasking capabilities for PC, workstation and server users who run unique applications simultaneously.
Hyper-Threading technology was demonstrated at Intel Developer Forum in a keynote address by Paul Otellini, executive vice president and general manager, Intel Architecture Group. Otellini used the demonstration to illustrate the kinds of leadership technologies Intel plans to bring to market to provide additional performance for specific market segments.
"The development of Hyper-Threading technology signals a landmark in Intel processor technology design and exemplifies our leadership in delivering world-class technology beyond sheer processor speed," said Otellini. "The significant jump in performance that this technology enables will enhance processors in all segments of the computing industry and allow users to maximize their processing power."
One Processor Appears as Two
Hyper-Threading technology signals a fundamental shift in processor design. The multithreading design techniques allow an operating system to view a single physical processor as if it were two logical processors. To accomplish this, processors enabled with Hyper-Threading technology can manage incoming data from different software applications and continuously switch from one set of data instructions to the other, every few nanoseconds, without losing track of the data processing status of each set of instructions.
Current processor technologies queue up individual instructions and handle them one at a time and in a logical order, much like a person who is trying to watch television while talking on the phone. In the current scenario, the person takes in data from each medium, handling it piece by piece. Hyper-Threading technology allows the viewer to accomplish both activities simultaneously without impacting the quality or speed of either experience.
Industry Support and Development
Operating system and application support is a key aspect for enabling Hyper-Threading technology. Prototype software development systems enabled with the technology will be available from Intel later this year so vendors can develop and tune their applications. A large number of operating system and software developers are embracing Hyper-Threading technology and are currently optimizing applications to ensure they will take full advantage of the unique capabilities of this technology when it becomes available. For applications that are currently not multithreaded, Intel is developing a toolset that will assist in adding multithreading capability to software. Future Intel compilers and Intel VTune® Performance Analyzers will also include a full set of features to help applications get the most from this technology. Applications that are already multithreaded can take advantage of incremental tuning with Intel Performance Libraries enabled with Hyper-Threading technology as well as programs offered by Intel Developer Services, an online resource dedicated to enabling software developers by providing technical, marketing and business development programs.
Intel is conducting technical sessions at Intel Developer Forum to educate software, hardware and operating system developers on how best to design systems that take advantage of the new multithreading technology. For more information on Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, visit http://www.intel.com/go/hyperthreading.
About IDF
Intel Developer Forum is a worldwide program that gives developers the technical information and vision they need to succeed in creating innovative products for the Internet economy. The IDF Fall 2001 conference features a full slate of sessions and hands-on labs, along with numerous demonstrations of cutting-edge products and technologies. Industry participants include software and hardware developers of communications equipment, servers, PC and handheld clients. Visit http://developer.intel.com/idf for more on the IDF conferences (San Jose, Calif., Aug. 27-30; Tokyo, Sept. 26-27; Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 22-23; Shenzhen, People's Republic of China, Oct. 25-26). For the latest information on technology developments throughout the year, visit Intel Developer Update at http://developer.intel.com/update.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel, Xeon, and VTune are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
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