Step 1 : Polling for
Processors
If you‘ve always imagined that
CPU design begins when a bespec-
tacled geekazoid puts down his #2
pencil, raises his hand, and says,
“Um, I just got this great idea for
a new CPU...,” you’re way off base.
The fact is that no single person is
responsible for drumming up a new
CPU feature set.
In reality, even though you’re
probably not aware of it, you design
next-generation processors. At least
by proxy. That’s because CPU design
ultimately begins with an assess-
ment of what the market wants and
needs. It’s what Intel calls a “usage
model.” A usage model defines the
tasks people would probably use
the new CPU for, with the underly-
ing logic that if a new processor
succeeds in accelerating these
tasks, the public will naturally want
to get one in their hands as soon as
possible.
But CPU manufacturers like Intel
and AMD don’t just stop people on
the street and ask them what they
need more processing power for.
They also consult with a host of
partners—including motherboard
and component makers as well as
software developers. For example,
they want to know if motherboards
with audio and/or video are in
demand and what type of graphics
cards—mid-level, high-end gam-
ing, or video—are hot before they
settle on a usage model definition.
In effect, they’re creating a topologi-
cal sales map of the marketplace.
As you might expect, there’s a bit
of back-and-forth here; because the
CPU makers have a vested interest
in driving demand for new CPUs,
companies like Intel and AMD also
encourage the development of new
applications for the PC, especially
CPU-intensive programs that will
allow new chip designs to shine.
As an example, Intel has devel-
oped a desktop usage model called
the “digital home.” In terms of
home usage, the giant chipmaker
determined, the PC is used as a tele-
vision, DVD player, sound system,
and gaming system. It’s also used
to capture and manipulate
graphics as well as video and
audio files.Step 2: A New CPU
is Conceived
The set of electronics that
play an intermediate role
between the processor and
the rest of the computer
must be considered before
the conceptualization of a
new CPU can move ahead.
With this in mind, the
chipmaker matches a set of
design and performance
goals to the current capabili-
ties of existing chipsets in
order to ascertain
what new CPU
functionality the
chipset can han-
dle via a firm-
ware or BIOS
update.MA XIMUMPC NOVEMBER 2004
The 8086 was intended to be the first processor for
mass production in personal computers, but ultimately
that honor went to the 8088 (pictured above). Released
in 1979, the follow-up to the 8086 proved much less
expensive to implement in boards and systems.Colorizing this image of a Pentium 4 processor allows the organization of
various components within the chip to be seen... without the aid of super-
strength opera glasses. Compare this with the 8088 above, and it’s instantly
obvious how much more complex today’s CPU tech is than yesteryear’s.Ë