EETimes profiles a recent Intel research prototype that incorporated 80 cores onto a single CPU. As a research prototype, the CPU itself was designed primarily for experimental purposes, but Intel believes it will be able to build an 80-core Processor in the next five to eight years. This would represent a large jump over existing processors which now cap out at 4 cores per processor.
Despite the large number of cores, Intel reports that the 80-core chip required only 100 watts of energy, compared to 105-130 watts for current quad-core processors. Each of the 80 cores in the experimental processor, however, is much simpler than existing cores in today's processors, so tasks are broken down into smaller units for each core to handle.
Each of the 80-cores can also be recruited on demand, with active cores being shifted if one core gets too hot. This concept of "core hopping" would decrease the amount of heat generated by the processor as a whole.
Other questions addressed in this 80-core experiment was dealing with networking and communications between the 80 cores.
While 80-core chips may be five to eight years away, Intel's technology strategist Manny Vara suggests that some sort of hybrid processors with a combination of complex cores and simple cores could be possible in the interim.
Apple moved from PowerPC to Intel processors in June 2005, citing increased performance and reduced power consumption as the primary driving forces behind the decision.
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