Intel Holds Off Itanium Chip Release

Intel Holds Off Itanium Chip Release

Intel has yet again postponed the much awaited release Itanium processor. The chip, also known as Tukwila, is Intel's latest addition to its range of sophisticated products. 
 

In a statement, Intel said, "During final system-level testing we identified an opportunity to further enhance application scalability best optimised for high-end systems," Intel explained.



"This will result in a change to the Tukwila shipping schedule to Q1 2010."

 

Tukwila was originally scheduled for circulation late 2008. The chip is rumored to utilize both multiple processor cores (multi-core) and SMT techniques.  It will have four processor cores per die and 30 MB of cache. It is believed to be the very first chip to contain more than 2 billion transistors on a single die.

 

Intel said the delay would give them ample time to "better meet the needs of our current Itanium customers".

 

"We believe this change will allow Tukwila systems a greater opportunity to gain share versus proprietary Risc solutions, including Sparc and IBM Power."