4th Generation Intel Core processors coming 2013

In 2013, Intel will bring to market its fourth generation of Core processors codenamed ‘Haswell’.

The fourth generation of Core processors are based on the same 22 nanometer manufacturing process used for the third generation (Ivy Bridge), which is available now and shipping in most new laptop and desktop PCs on the New Zealand market.

According to Intel’s David ‘Dadi’ Perlmutter, the fourth generation CPUs cut the idle power usage of the second generation (Sandy Bridge) by a factor of up to 20X, and improve graphical performance with the onboard Intel HD Graphics engine by up to 2X.

Announced shortly before the start of this year’s developer forum, Intel will also be bringing to market a range of low-power processors for ultrabook, convertible (laptop/tablet hybrid) and tablet devices. These are expected to operate at around 10 watts, as opposed to the 15-17 watts consumed by low-power processors in the fourth generation Core range.

The new range will not share the Core or Atom labels: a new product name has yet to be announced.

A change in naming policy by the company has seen ‘Haswell’ an infrequently used term at this year’s Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco. The company has advised its own representatives, along with journalists and commentators, to refer to the processor line by its commercial name ‘4th generation Intel Core', rather than the development codename.

The policy change comes as a result of previous years’ media coverage, where second and third generation Core processors have been frequently referred to by their development codenames, Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, respectively. Apparently this has created confusion among consumers, as recommendations to buy a ‘Sandy Bridge’ or ‘Ivy Bridge’ processor conflict with the actual product names listed on PCs containing the technology and in stores.


Harley Ogier is attending IDF 2012 as a guest of Intel.