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A Dynamically Scalable Microarchitecture
 

Intel® Microarchitecture Codename Nehalem

First available in November 2008, the 45nm Intel® Core™ i7 processor based on Intel microarchitecture codename Nehalem, represents a big step forward in faster, multi-core technology that intelligently maximizes performance to match workload. Designed to take advantage of advances in 45nm hafnium-based hi-k metal gate transistors and related manufacturing technology, Nehalem-based products unleash energy-efficient parallel processing performance using an integrated memory controller. Intel® 32nm process technology features second generation high-k + metal gate transistors for improved performance and reduced power leakage.

The next level of scalable multi-core performance

Intel® microarchitecture codename Nehalem offers the latest in processor innovation, including:

  • Dynamic scalability, managed cores, threads, cache, interfaces, and power for energy-efficient performance on-demand.
  • Design and performance scalability to address servers, workstations, notebooks, and desktop segments with support for two to eight or more cores and up to sixteen or more threads with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology)¹, and scalable cache sizes, system interconnects, and integrated memory controllers.
  • Intelligent performance on-demand with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology² taking advantage of the processor's power and thermal headroom. This enables increased performance of both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.
  • Increased performance on highly-threaded applications with Intel® HT Technology, bringing high-performance applications into mainstream computing with 1-16+ threads optimized for this new multi-core processor architecture.
  • Scalable shared memory for specific servers and workstations features memory distributed to each processor with integrated memory controllers and Intel QuickPath Technology high-speed point-to-point interconnects to unleash the performance of configurations of multiple multi-core processors based on Intel® microarchitecture codename Nehalem.
  • Multi-level shared cache improves performance and efficiency by reducing latency to frequently used data.

Brilliantly fast

Get faster, intelligent, multi-core technology that applies processing power where it's needed most.

A more intelligent server processor

For performance that adapts to your application demands, intelligently scales energy use per performance demands, and offers best-in-class virtualization.

Stay informed

Learn more about Intel® microarchitecture codename Nehalem

Get technical—listen to the podcasts

The Future of Intel® Architecture (9:37)

Intel Senior Fellow Steve Pawlowski explores the next 10 years of challenges and innovation for Intel architecture.

Intel® microarchitecture codename Nehalem (6:22)

The Intel® microarchitecture codename Nehalem is a dynamically scalable microarchitecture that delivers breakthrough energy-efficient performance.

Intel® QuickPath Architecture (6:14)

Introducing Intel's distributed shared memory architecture featuring high-speed interconnects.

The catalyst for industry innovation

Following the Intel® Core™ microarchitecture "tick" processors - the first based on 45nm Hi-k metal gate process technology, Intel® microarchitecture codename Nehalem is the "tock" in Intel's "tick-tock" cadence to deliver a new process technology and an entirely new microarchitecture in alternating years.

¹ Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) requires a computer system with an Intel® processor supporting Intel HT Technology and an Intel HT Technology-enabled chipset, BIOS, and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See www.intel.com/products/ht/hyperthreading_more.htm for more information including details on which processors support Intel HT Technology.

² Intel® Turbo Boost Technology requires a platform with a processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology capability. Intel Turbo Boost Technology performance varies depending on hardware, software and overall system configuration. Check with your platform manufacturer on whether your system delivers Intel Turbo Boost Technology. For more information, see www.intel.com/technology/turboboost/.

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