Intel’s next big challenge isn’t going to be how many cores it can stack on a cpu, But rather what other functions it can move to on-chip real estate.
The initial permutation in this evolution has already emerged in the newest Intel Tigerlake CPU . with on CHIP Intel Xe Graphics G7 80EU graphics.
Mounted in notebooks Tigerlake’s performance appears on paper and in initial tests on notebooks to be record setting, However, There is a secondary front Intel hasn’t addressed much. Persistent connectivity, and there’s a steely warrior, Qualcommm, slipping through Intel’s lines.
Qualcomm isn’t playing the speeds and feeds game. Instead it's aiming its forces at always connected notebooks. Yes, Intel is working on LTE connectivity in next generation reference designs, but Qualcomm already has the high ground on this battlefield and Qualcomm's assault weapon is its growing line of Snapdragon processors. At first blush it appears Qualcomm has already reached an strategic tactic in capturing new market share: sometimes “good enough” and compatibility for basic applications is good enough to infiltrate a line. Especially When your reserve forces are poised to exploit the next big thing: Connectivity.
Here's where intel falls into a trap, its raison d’etre is based on Moore's Law; speeds and feeds should drive functionality. But thermodynamics coupled with the absolute dominance of thin and light portable pose a hard barrier, intel has to overcome. Heat piping needed to stuff tubby multi core processors and large graphics chips can only go so far in some portables computer. designs
this is where Qualcomm's technologies including multicore Snapdragons outflank Intel. Not only are they fast enough to satisfactorily run mainstream corporate applications, but they also are designed for persistent connectivity at 4G LTE, and faster connections. And they do so at lower operating temperatures.
There is no reason to expect semiconductor manufacturers to leave Intel’s processor cash cow un attended in green pastures, and Moore’s law has produced a single minded R&D effort and culture which can simply be exploited by other chip makers who compete on price and functionality, not speeds and feeds.
So get your Soma now, we're marching into a brave new world.--Jim Forbes December 8, 2020.
Mandatory Disclosure, I live close enough to Qualcomm that on some days I can connect to QUALCOMM’s roving 5G nodes. And this makes me happy in the age of coffee shops without indoor seating on chilly 69 degree San Diego mornings.
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