Rock Creek (CPU)
Rock Creek is the code name of a multi-core experimental processor from Intel that was introduced to the public in early December 2009. The design and often the processor system itself are referred to as a single-chip cloud computer (SCC).
As a first step, Rock Creek CPUs should be used to test new hardware and software concepts. The first representative consists of 48 cores similar to Pentium 54C , which are arranged in 4 groups of 6 double cores (4 × 6 × 2) each. The double cores are known as "tiles". The cores communicate with each other via messages - as is common in many supercomputers - via 24 routers. The communication via shared memory (cache) that has been common in multicore processors so far quickly reaches its limits when the number of cores increases. Communication via messages scales much better with large numbers of cores.
Each core can boot its own operating system. An adapted Linux version is used initially . Rock Creek is manufactured using 45 nm technology and consists of 1.3 billion transistors.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Andreas Stiller: Processor Whisper . In: c't magazine. No. 26, 2009, p. 20, accessed December 17, 2009.