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.

    * Discover the Intel® Core™ i7 processor

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.

    * Intel® Xeon® processor 5500 series

Stay informed

    * Intel Developer Forum (IDF)
    * Intel Technology Journal
    * Chip Chat podcast
    * Technology@Intel blog
    * Research@Intel blog
    * Intel Press books
    * Intel reading list



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 Requires an Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology)-enabled system, check with your PC manufacturer. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software used. Not available on the Intel® Core™i5-750. For more information, including details on which processors support HT technology, visit www.intel.com/technology/platform-technology/hyper-threading/index.htm.

² Intel® Turbo Boost Technology requires a system with Intel Turbo Boost Technology capability. Consult your PC manufacturer. Performance varies depending on hardware, software, and system configuration. For more information, visit www.intel.com/technology/turboboost/.