Intel to debut GPU-in-CPU chips in 2009

Intel's first next processors based on its next-generation 'Nehalem'architecture are due to appear a year from now, in Q4 2008. But thereally interesting models will arrive during the first half of 2009:desktop and mobile CPUs with integrated graphics cores.
The chip giant's roadmap currently has the first Nehalems, codenamed'Bloomfield', coming on stream late next year and targeting gaming PCs,just as this month introduction of the first Core 2 Extreme 'Penryn'processors did. Like Penryn, Nehalem is designed to fabbed using a 45nmprocess.
Bloomfield's speeds are not yet known, but it's expected to use anew, 1366-pin interconnect. As we've reported before, that forms thebasis for the CPU's QuickPath bus, which links its four cores - each,don't forget, including HyperThreading (HT) technology to allow them tooperates as two cores for a total of eight - to three channels of DDR 3memory, according to a report on Japanese-language site PCWatch.
The gaming chip has 8MB of shared L2 cache and connects to the'Tylersburg' ancillary chip, which provides a route through to theICH10 I/O chip and the PCI Express 2.0 bus, where the graphics cardwill sit.
Bloomfield appears to be something of a stop-gap product, becauseroadmaps seen by PCWatch show a follow-up part, 'Lynnfield', due in H12009. It cuts the interconnect down to 1160 LGA pins and the adoptionof PCI Express as the chip-to-chip bus.
Lynnfield is a quad-core part, again with HT to allow it to operateas eight cores, and with 8MB of L2. It too supports DDR 3, but only ina dual-channel configuration, the report indicates. The CPU's on-boardPCI Express controller allows it to link directly to a x16 graphicscard, while its I/O chip, 'Ibexpeak', connects by DMI (Direct MediaInterface).
The same architecture will be used by 'Cleaksfield/Clarksfield' -there's some confusion over the name - the Nehalem-era mainstreamquad-core part. However, this chip uses a 989-pin rPGA interconnect.
So too wil 'Auburndale', while is said to be a mobile chip, implyingthat Cleaksfield/Clarksfield is too. Auburndale is a dual-core product- HyperThreading makes it appear as a quad-core chip to the operatingsystem - with 4MB of L2 and dual-channel DDR 3 support.
Like Cleaksfield/Clarksfield it will use PCI Express as its systembus to connect to a discrete GPU. But this will be optional: Auburndalewill sport an integrated GPU of its own, along with a directlyconnected video memory buffer.
Once again, Ibexpeak provides the I/O, over a DMI link.

There'll be a desktop version of Auburndale, codenamed 'Havendale', which will use the same LGA1160 interconnect as Lynnfield.
Then, in H2 2009, Intel will introduce 32nm die-shrink versions of these processors, all based on the 'Westmere' architecture.
AMD's Fusion processor,which likewise integrates multiple cores, specialist chippery and,potentially, GPUs all on the same processor die, is also due to debutin 2009. Earlier this year, AMD said the first Fusion processors would be mobile chips.