Intel claims processor performance landmark with first Nehalem quad-core.
Intel's Core i7 quad-core processor, which is the first member of a family of Nehalem processors, achieved a score of 117 for the SPECint_base_rate2006 benchmark test that measures the performance of a processor.
This is the first time ever for any single processor to exceed a score of 100 points.
Fabbed on a 45nm, high-k metal gate manufacturing process, the processor more than doubles the memory bandwidth of previous Intel top-rated platforms.
The implementation of Hyper-Threading Technology means that the processor allows for multiple computing threads to run simultaneously, and so the Core i7 quad-core processor delivers 8-threaded performance.
A driver for this level of perfromance is are immersive 3D games applications.
The Core i7 processors and X58 Express Chipset-based desktop board DX58SO Extreme Series are all available.
See also: Electronics Weekly's focus on x86 microprocessors, a roundup of content related to x86 microprocessor technologies and developments.