Intel's developments and PCIe 4.0 advancements alongside related ideas and paradoxes
Intel's developments and PCIe 4.0 advancements alongside related ideas and paradoxes
Intel's decision to skip PCIe 4.0 despite new X299 motherboards seems confusing. They mentioned PCIe 3.0 as sufficient, yet later hinted at PCIe 6.0 and PCIe 5.0. This creates uncertainty about their tech roadmap. Meanwhile, AMD continues to innovate with newer chips while Intel focuses on other areas like the 1080XE and Ryzen processors. The situation raises questions about compatibility, performance expectations, and the impact of upcoming technologies on consumer choices.
I see PCIe4 as a downside unless it means a small fan is needed. It was the first issue on my Z77 board, and I think I rushed into it unless someone really needs a PCIe4 NVMe SSD. If we find a simple passive cooling method (cost isn’t too high), then PCIe4 could be a good choice.
The details for PCIe4.0 were established back in 2017. PCIe3.0 recently reached its full capacity thanks to NVMe storage. PCIe5.0 was completed earlier this year, meaning devices that were developed before or after that milestone can be used without needing modifications to avoid outdated results. PCIe6.0 specifications are still being worked on and may not be finalized until 2021, possibly later. Intel seems confident over AMD because they weren’t ready for AMD to enter the market as quickly. They’ll likely downplay its importance or frame it negatively, but at that stage it’s just marketing. I’m still trying to understand what’s being discussed here. But more cores don’t necessarily mean faster performance—science is involved, not a conspiracy.
Intel faces challenges in their manufacturing plants, making it difficult to produce advanced processors at 10nm or below. Currently they rely on 14nm technology. Upgrading existing chips to accommodate PCI-E 4.0 would require significant costs and effort, as it involves altering the silicon itself. This process takes several months for testing, microcode updates, BIOS patches, and finally mass production. Adjustments might need changes to the processor pinout, introducing new sockets that could cause confusion and frustration among users. PCI-E 4.0 also demands higher power consumption, adding 10-20 watts to the thermal design power. Additionally, existing motherboards may struggle with the longer traces required for PCI-E 4.0. It seems more practical to delay PCI-E 5 and DDR5 developments, addressing socket changes at the same time.