Anyone Else Planning On Skipping Haswell And Instead Aim For Broadwell MBP?

[dusk007]

I get the point but in the process node AMD was never really behind. It was after AMDs decline at 32nm that Intel got ahead. Nehalem and Sandybridge.
TSMC and GF stay a little behind Intel despite huge capacities and lots of production. They will get to 20nm while Intel gets to 14.
It doesn't help AMD too much, their main problem is still the architecture. If AMD had Intels 22nm they would still be behind and not really stand a chance.

In theory if AMD's fabs had something to produce they should pay for themselves. They could have made chips for others. I think Intel is allowing some other companies to use their 22nm node too.

I wish AMD would just come out with some magical new CPU generation but I don't see it happening.

Will be interesting what happens to this whole fab business once they are past 14nm. That is where things should start to get tricky. R&D costs will grow quite a lot.
I recently read something that this whole faster chips thing will most likely stop completely in not too long a time. The next half of the century it will be all about efficient algorithms.

 

[Mr MM]

My point is that to keep up with the tech race, you need upgraded fabs.

and what are the benefits of a die shrink?

 

[Hakone]

I might actually skip this cycle of CPUs since (knock on wood) my MB has been quite reliable even if it's a generation behind.

Hopefully by then, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is standard alongside a 10hr battery. =)

But, like anything, we'll see since I'm one to buy a new product after my existing one breaks instead of setting a standard 3-5yr cycle 'just because'.

 

[cube]

and what are the benefits of a die shrink?

You can now deal with leakage current by using 3D structures, if that's what you're getting at.

 

[Mr MM]

You can now deal with leakage current by using 3D structures, if that's what you're getting at.

actually its backwards, the lower you go the more leakage and noise you get

the mosfet was developed to counter that

the lower you go the power dissipated is also more compact

the point of die shrinks now is to get more cpu per die, since you lose a lot of them due to the shape of the wafer and how they are printed

 

[pragmatous]

I have the classic macbook pro Ivey Bridge and it works fine. Why do we need to buy a new mac every year? This thing will probably last me 5 years or more.

If you're a PC guy like I was and you want to buy a mac just buy it. Apple usually refreshes their mac lineup in June and their mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod, iOS) in Sept/October.

Once you go Apple tho everything else is crap. Just warning you now you'll start buying iPhones, ipads, ipods just because, and mac mini. Next you'll want the imac.

 

[cube]

actually its backwards, the lower you go the more leakage and noise you get

the mosfet was developed to counter that

the lower you go the power dissipated is also more compact

the point of die shrinks now is to get more cpu per die, since you lose a lot of them due to the shape of the wafer and how they are printed

Yes, that's why you need 3D structures that can counter the leakage.

So that you can still make some improvement in clock and power.

Even if Intel shrinks so that the die cost is lower, and that doesn't matter to AMD, they have to follow to keep up in clock and power.

 

[Mr MM]

Yes, that's why you need 3D structures that can counter the leakage.

So that you can still make some improvement in clock and power.

Even if Intel shrinks so that the die cost is lower, and that doesn't matter to AMD, they have to follow to keep up in clock and power.

and how a die shrink increases clock and power?

 

[calvol]

I'm using a 2010 13"-MBA and a 2011-Mini-i5 with TBD, and thinking wait for Broadwell to get a 15" rMBP. All my needs are covered by these items, and no need to jump on Haswell other than 802.11ac. I think there will be a total redesign of MacBooks in 2014.

 

[cube]

and how a die shrink increases clock and power?

Not increase power. You can balance between increased clock rate and lower power.

 

[Mr MM]

Not increase power. You can balance between increased clock rate and lower power.

how? i dont think you have noticed but the cpus are getting hotter the gpus as well. the first downward on this was kepler and that was in years

 

[cube]

how? i dont think you have noticed but the cpus are getting hotter the gpus as well. the first downward on this was kepler and that was in years

Didn't you read my preemption?

 

[mykem]

I think with upgrade the perceived improvement is relative to your current experience.

If you own a 2008 MBP, you will definitely see a huge improvement even if you upgrade to current IVB technology. Someone currently on a 2010/2011 machine might want to wait till Broadwell. And if you're IVB, going to Haswell makes less sense than it is to wait for the next two or three iterations. If you're on Haswell, Broadwell is just a minor spec bump.

Having jumped from a 2007 C2D MBP (pre-unibody) to rMBP, I can attest to how incredibly fast the rMBP feels. Sure, I could've wait for Haswell but that would be another year with a 5 year old machine.

 

[fskywalker]

I waited until Ivy Bridge MBPs were released and then replaced my 2008 MBP with a Sandy Bridge system for a few hundred off of its regular price, and used some of the money saved to upgrade the RAM and hard drive (swap to SSD). The strategies of a semi-poor student who doesn't require the absolute latest and greatest.

Agree! having the latest and greatest comes at a high price, this is a good time to buy current gen rMBP at prices very low versus their MSRP, maybe even lower when Haswell rMBP are announced. Haswell will be great, but to buy at discount prices will take over 6 months after they are released.