5. Advanced CPU architectures: Penryn, Fusion and more

If you think dual-core and quad-core processors are intriguing, wait until you see what CPU manufacturers Intel and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. have planned for 2007 and beyond. The coming twelve months will play a critical role in defining new models, architectures, and materials for developing highly advanced, state-of-the-art processors.

First consider Intel's upcoming Penryn processor architecture. Currently, Intel is fabricating the vast majority of its CPUs -- including the highly popular Core 2 Duo line -- on a 65-nanometer process. However, in recent months, the chipmaker has successfully manufactured prototypes of a processor fabricated on a 45nm process. And both Intel and IBM have recently announced the development of a new "high-k" insulating material that will enable the two chipmakers to shrink CPU die size to 45nm without losing thermal or electrical efficiencies.

For Intel, the end result of this process will be a brand-new CPU architecture. With a possible release date of late 2007 or early 2008, Penryn processors will likely boast increased performance and battery life, and this architecture could lay down a foundation that would allow for eight, 16 or even 32 CPU cores on a single processor die. AMD's microprocessor plans are no less ambitious. In some ways, they're even more advanced than Intel's because they embrace a new trend in CPU design known as heterogeneous processing.

Based on recent public announcements, it appears that in the coming year, AMD will leverage its recent acquisition of graphics chip manufacturer ATI Technologies to produce a brand-new series of processors code-named "Fusion" that combine traditional CPUs and graphics processing units into a dual- or quad-core central processing unit.

In theory, this model allows for a PC desktop, laptop, or server to use a standard CPU core to perform standard PC/OS functions, while specialist cores tackle other tasks, such as 3D graphics or floating-point-intensive calculations. AMD's proprietary name for its take on heterogeneous processing is Advanced Processing Unit.

One of the most interesting subplots regarding the development of advanced CPU architectures is the broad implications these new CPU designs will have on the future design and development of software, motherboards and more. An Intel research group, for instance, is exploring the greater ramifications of an 80-core CPU at the hardware and software level.

Finally, software developers are beginning to develop multi-threaded applications designed to accommodate multiple processing cores by sending whole chunks of program code instructions to separate CPU cores. Without multi-threaded applications, the performance potential of multicore processors is greatly reduced. As Ars Technica describes in its very interesting account of the challenges programmers face in writing multi-threaded code, it's no easy task, but one that could have huge speed and efficiency payoffs in the long run.

Whew! There you have it: Five technologies that will make your computing life faster and more efficient. Which means easier. Which means happier.

George Jones is the editorial director of IDG Entertainment.