Tick–tock model explained

Tick–tock was a production model adopted in 2007 by chip manufacturer Intel. Under this model, every microarchitecture change (tock) was followed by a die shrink of the process technology (tick). It was replaced by the process–architecture–optimization model, which was announced in 2016 and is like a tick–tock cycle followed by an optimization phase. As a general engineering model, tick–tock is a model that refreshes one side of a binary system each release cycle.

History

Every "tick" represented a shrinking of the process technology of the previous microarchitecture (sometimes introducing new instructions, as with Broadwell, released in late 2014) and every "tock" designated a new microarchitecture.[1] These occurred roughly every year to 18 months.[2] In 2014, Intel created a "tock refresh" of a tock in the form of a smaller update to the microarchitecture[3] not considered a new generation in and of itself.

In March 2016, Intel announced in a Form 10-K report that it deprecated the tick–tock cycle in favor of a three-step process–architecture–optimization model, under which three generations of processors are produced under a single manufacturing process, with the third generation out of three focusing on optimization.[4] The first optimization of the Skylake architecture was Kaby Lake. Intel then announced a second optimization, Coffee Lake,[5] making a total of four generations at 14 nm.[6]

Roadmap

Pentium 4 / Core / Xeon roadmap

Pentium 4 / Core / Xeon roadmap
Change
(step)		Fabri­cation
process		Micro-
architecture		Code names
for step		Intel
Generation
Desktop/Mobile		Intel
Generation
Xeon		Intel Microcode
shortcut(s)
Desktop/WS[7] [8] 		Intel Microcode
shortcut(s)
Xeon/Server		Release
date		Processors
8P/4P Server4P/2P Server/WSEmbedded Xeon1P XeonEnthusiast/WSDesktopMobile
Tick
(new fabrica-
tion process)		65 nmP6, NetBurstYonah (P6),
Presler (NetBurst),
Cedar Mill (NetBurst)		1995-11-1 (P6),
2000-11-20 (NetBurst)		Presler (NetBurst)Cedar Mill (NetBurst)Yonah (P6)
Tock
(new micro-
architecture)		CoreMerom[9] 2006-07-27[10] [11] TigertonWoodcrest
Clovertown		KentsfieldConroeMerom
Tick45 nmPenryn2007-11-11[12] DunningtonHarpertownYorkfieldWolfdalePenryn
TockNehalemNehalem1NHM[13] 2008-11-17[14] BecktonGainestownLynnfieldBloomfieldLynnfieldClarksfield
Tick32 nmWestmere1WSM2010-01-04[15] [16] Westmere-EXWestmere-EPGulftownClarkdaleArrandale
TockSandy BridgeSandy Bridge21 (E3/E5)SNBJKT (Jaketown)2011-01-09[17] Sandy Bridge-EPGladdenSandy BridgeSandy Bridge-ESandy BridgeSandy Bridge-M
Tick22 nmIvy Bridge32 (E3/E5/E7)IVBIVT (Ivytown)2012-04-29Ivy Bridge-EX[18] Ivy Bridge-EPGladdenIvy BridgeIvy Bridge-E[19] Ivy BridgeIvy Bridge-M
TockHaswellHaswell43 (E3/E5/E7)HSW, CRW (Crystal Well)
with Iris Pro[20] [21] 		HSX2013-06-02Haswell-EXHaswell-EPHaswell-DTHaswell-EHaswell-DT[22] Haswell-MB (notebooks)
Haswell-LP (ultrabooks)
RefreshHaswell Refresh,
Devil's Canyon[23] 		2014-05-11,
2014-06-02		Devil's Canyonrowspan="1" align="center"
Tick (Process)14 nm[24] Broadwell[25] 54 (E3/E5/E7)BDWBDX2014-09-05Broadwell-EX[26] Broadwell-EPBroadwell-DEBroadwell-DTBroadwell-EBroadwell-DTBroadwell-H
Broadwell-U
Broadwell-Y
Tock (Architecture)SkylakeSkylake65 (E3)
1 (SP)
W-2100
W-31xx		SKL
SKL-S
SKL-X
SKL-H
SKL-U
SKL-Y
SKL-D
SKL-DT		SKX2015-08-05[27] Skylake-SPSkylake-DESkylake-D/DT/HSkylake-XSkylakeSkylake-H
Skylake-U
Skylake-Y
Optimization
(Refresh)
[28] [29] [30] 		Kaby Lake[31] 76 (E3)KBL2017-01-03[32] Kaby Lake-DT/H
cores: 4 (4/8)		Kaby Lake-X[33] Kaby LakeKaby Lake-H
Kaby Lake-U
Kaby Lake-Y
Kaby Lake R[34] 8KBL-R2017-08-21[35] Kaby Lake R
Coffee Lake8[36] E-2100CFL
CFL-S
CFL-E
CFL-H
CFL-U		2017-10-05[37] Coffee Lake-HCoffee Lake-S WS (Coffee Lake-E)Coffee Lake-SCoffee Lake-H
Coffee Lake-U
Whiskey Lake,
Amber Lake[38] 		8WHL
AML		2018-08-28Whiskey Lake-U
Amber Lake-Y
Skylake (Skylake-X Refresh)92018-10-08[39] Skylake Xcolspan="2"
Coffee Lake (Coffee Lake Refresh)9E-2200CFL-R
CFL-ER
CFL-HR		2018-10-08,[40] 2019-04-23[41] Coffee Lake-S WS (Coffee Lake-ER)<--This link anchor may become outdated; it was correct as of revision 1231597559-->Coffee Lake-RCoffee Lake-H Refresh
Cascade Lake102 (SP)
W-2200
W-3200		CSLCXL2019-04-02[42] Cascade Lake-SPCascade Lake-APCascade Lake-W
Cascade Lake-X		colspan="2"
Comet Lake,[43] Amber Lake10CML
AML		2019-08-21Comet Lake-WComet Lake-SComet Lake-H
Comet Lake-U
Amber Lake-Y
Cascade Lake (Cascade Lake Refresh)2 (SP)2020-02-24[44] Cascade Lake Rcolspan="5"
Cooper Lake3 (SP)CPL
CPL-SP		2020-06-18[45] Cooper Lake-SPcolspan="6"
ArchitectureCypress Cove[46] Rocket Lake11E-2300RKL2021-03-30[47] Rocket Lake-ERocket Lake-WRocket Lake-S
Process10 nmPalm CoveCannon Lake8CNL2018-05-16[48] Cannon Lake-U
ArchitectureSunny CoveIce Lake[49] 103 (SP)ICLICX[50]
ICL-SP		2019-08-01[51] Ice Lake-SP (2021-04-06)Ice Lake-U
Ice Lake-Y
OptimizationWillow CoveTiger Lake11TGL2020-09-02[52] Tiger Lake-H35
Tiger Lake-UP3
Tiger Lake-UP4
ArchitectureIntel 7Golden CoveAlder Lake12ADL2021-11-04Alder Lake-SAlder Lake-HX
Alder Lake-H
Alder Lake-P
Alder Lake-U
Sapphire Rapids[53] 4 (SP)
W-2400
W-3400		SPR2023-01-10Sapphire Rapids-SPSapphire Rapids-HBM
Sapphire Rapids-SP		Sapphire Rapids-WScolspan="2" align="center"
OptimizationRaptor CoveRaptor Lake13RPL2022-10-20Raptor Lake-SRaptor Lake-HX
Raptor Lake-H
Raptor Lake-P
Raptor Lake-U
Raptor Lake[54] (Raptor Lake Refresh)14E-2400RPL-R2023-10-17Raptor Lake-ERaptor Lake-S Refresh
2024-01-08Raptor Lake-HX Refresh
Core Series 1Raptor Lake-U Refresh
Emerald Rapids5 (SP)EMR2023-12-14Emerald Rapids-SPcolspan="5" align="center"
TickIntel 4[55] Redwood CoveMeteor Lake[56] Core Ultra Series 1MTL2023-12-14Meteor Lake-H
Meteor Lake-U
TickIntel 3Granite Rapids[57] Xeon 6 (SP)GNRGranite Rapids-SPcolspan="2" align="center"
TickIntel 20ALion CoveArrow Lake[58] 15ARLcolspan="2"
TickIntel 18ALunar LakeCore Ultra Series 2LNL
Change
(step)		Fabri­cation
process		Micro-
architecture		Code names
for step		Intel
Generation
Desktop		Intel
Generation
Xeon		Intel Microcode
shortcut(s)
Desktop/WS		Intel Microcode
shortcut(s)
Xeon/Server		Release
date		8P/4P Server4P/2P Server/WSEmbedded Xeon1P XeonEnthusiast/WSDesktopMobile
Processors

Atom roadmap

With Silvermont Intel tried to start Tick-Tock in Atom architecture but problems with the 10 nm process did not allow to do this. In the table below instead of Tick-Tock steps Process-Architecture-Optimization are used. There is no official confirmation that Intel uses Process-Architecture-Optimization for Atom but it allows us to understand what changes happened in each generation.

Atom roadmap[59]
ChangeFabri­cation
process		Micro-
architecture
(Abbr.)		Code names
for step 		Release
date		Processors/SoCs
MID, SmartphoneTabletNetbookNettopEmbeddedServerCE
Process / Architecture45 nmBonnell (BNL)Bonnell2008SilverthorneDiamondville
OptimizationBonnell2010Lincroft<-- Moorestown -->PineviewTunnel Creek
Stellarton		Sodaville
Groveland
Process32 nmSaltwell2011Medfield (Penwell & Lexington) & Clover Trail+ (Cloverview) Clover Trail (Cloverview) Cedar Trail (Cedarview)Centerton & BriarwoodBerryville
Process / Architecture22 nmSilvermont (SLM)Silvermont2013Merrifield (Tangier)[60] & Moorefield (Anniedale)[61] & SlaytonBay Trail-T
(Valleyview)		Bay Trail-M
(Valleyview)		Bay Trail-D
(Valleyview)		Bay Trail-I
(Valleyview)		Avoton
Rangeley
Process14 nmAirmont2014Binghamton & RivertonCherry Trail-T (Cherryview)[62] Braswell[63] Denverton
ArchitectureGoldmont[64]
(GLM)		Goldmont2016Broxton Broxton
Apollo Lake		Apollo LakeApollo LakeDenverton
ArchitectureGoldmont Plus
(GLM+, GLP)		Goldmont Plus2017Gemini LakeGemini LakeGemini Lake
OptimizationGoldmont Plus2019Gemini Lake RefreshGemini Lake RefreshGemini Lake Refresh
Process / Architecture10 nmTremontTremont2020Jasper LakeJasper LakeJasper LakeElkhart LakeSnow Ridge
ArchitectureIntel 7GracemontGracemont2021Alder Lake & Raptor Lake (hybrid)
Process / ArchitectureIntel 4CrestmontCrestmont2023Meteor Lake[65] (hybrid)Sierra Forest-AP

Note: There is further the Xeon Phi. It has up to now undergone four development steps with a current top model that got the code name Knights Landing (shortcut: KNL;[13] the predecessor code names all had the leading term Knights in their name) that is derived from the Silvermont architecture as used for the Intel Atom series but realized in a shrunk 14 nm (FinFET) technology.[66] In 2018, Intel announced that Knights Landing and all further Xeon Phi CPU models were discontinued.[67] However, Intel's Sierra Forest and subsequent Atom-based Xeon CPUs are likely a spiritual successor to Xeon Phi.

Both

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Intel.com. Intel Corporation. Intel Tick–Tock Model.
  2. Web site: Intel tick–tock model . intel.com . Intel Corporation . 2014-11-02 . A yearly product cadence moves the industry forward in a predictable fashion that can be planned in advance..
  3. News: Intel Haswell Refresh Processors Codenamed Devil's Canyon - Launching in Mid 2014 With Unlocked Design and Improved TIM. 2014-03-20. Wccftech.com. 2017-04-29.
  4. Web site: Intel's 'Tick–Tock' Seemingly Dead, Becomes 'Process–Architecture–Optimization' . Anandtech.com . 23 March 2016.
  5. News: Intel Official News on Twitter. Twitter. 2017-04-29.
  6. News: Intel's 8th-gen 'Coffee Lake' chips reuse 14nm process as other Core CPUs ease into new tech. PC World. 2017-04-29.
  7. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/intel-releases-linux-cpu-microcodes-to-fix-meltdown-and-spectre-bugs/ Intel Releases Linux CPU Microcodes To fix Meltdown & Spectre Bugs
  8. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27591/Linux-Processor-Microcode-Data-File Linux* Processor Microcode Data File
  9. Web site: Crothers . Brooke . Intel moves up rollout of new chips Nanotech - The Circuits Blog . CNet.com . 2009-02-10 . 2014-02-25.
  10. Web site: Intel.com. Intel Corporation. Intel CEO: Latest Platforms, Processors Form New Foundations For Digital Entertainment And Wireless Computing.
  11. Intel.com. Intel Corporation. Intel Unveils World's Best Processor.
  12. January 7, 2008 . Intel.com. Intel Corporation. Intel Unveils 16 Next-Generation Processors, Including First Notebook Chips Built on 45nm Technology.
  13. Web site: X86 / Amd64 library. . 25 October 2021.
  14. November 17, 2008 . Intel.com. Intel Corporation. Intel Launches Fastest Processor on the Planet.
  15. Web site: February 10, 2009. July 7, 2017. Mark. Bohr. Intel.com. Intel Corporation. Intel 32nm Technology.
  16. Web site: Intel.com. Logic Technology Development, Intel Corporation. Revolutionizing How We Use Technology—Today and Beyond.
  17. Web site: CNet.com. Intel Sandy Bridge chip coming January 5 . Brooke. Crothers . November 15, 2010 . July 7, 2017.
  18. Web site: Ivy Bridge EP and EX coming up in a year's time – the multi-socket platform heaven. Nebojsa. Novakovic. VR-Zone.com. VR Zone AP Pte. Ltd.. April 9, 2012 . July 7, 2017 .
  19. Web site: Shawn. Knight. March 19, 2012 . July 7, 2017 . techspot.com. Ivy Bridge-E Delayed Until Second Half of 2013.
  20. https://ark.intel.com/products/codename/51802/Crystal-Well Products formerly Crystal Well
  21. https://www.macworld.com/article/2059743/components-graphics/what-is-crystalwell.html What is Crystalwell?
  22. Web site: Leaked specifications of Haswell GT1/GT2/GT3 IGP . TechNewsPedia.com . 2012-05-20 . 2014-02-25.
  23. Web site: Intel Core i7-4790K: Devils Canyon mit bis zu 4,4 GHz, ohne verlöteten Deckel . June 3, 2014 . Intel Core i7-4790K: Devils Canyon with up to 4.4 GHz, without soldered lid . golem.de. de. July 7, 2017.
  24. Web site: Intel's Revolutionary 22 nm Transistor Technology. Mark. Bohr. Kaizad. Mistry. May 2011. Intel.com. Intel Corporation. July 7, 2017.
  25. Web site: After Intel's Haswell comes Broadwell . SemiAccurate.com. March 31, 2011. Charlie. Demerjian . Stone Arch Networking Services, Inc.. July 7, 2017.
  26. Web site: Intel to release 22-core Xeon E5 v4 'Broadwell-EP' late in 2015. KitGuru.net. Anton. Shilov . August 21, 2015. July 7, 2017.
  27. Web site: The wait for Skylake is almost over, first desktop chips likely to hit August 5. DigitalTrends.com. Gabe . Carey . July 7, 2015 . July 7, 2017.
  28. Web site: Intel 14nm Kaby Lake "Skylake Refresh" Platform Detailed – Launching in 2H 2016, 256 MB eDRAM H-Series and 91W K-Series Unveiled . July 2015 . wccftech.com . The Kaby Lake platform will be similar to Skylake platform that launches this year and will act as a platform refresher.
  29. Web site: Intel Releasing 14nm Kaby Lake Processor in 2016 Ahead of 10nm Cannonlake . 2015-07-08 . legitreviews.com . We have long known that Intel was planning a 'Skylake Refresh' that has always been on the roadmap between Skylake and Cannonlake, but it appears that refresh might be going by the code name Kaby lake now..
  30. Web site: Intel's Cannonlake CPUs To Be Succeeded By 10nm Ice Lake Family in 2018 and 10nm Tiger Lake Family in 2019 . WCCFTech.com. Hassan. Mujtaba. January 20, 2016. July 7, 2017.
  31. Web site: Intel confirms tick–tock shattering Kaby Lake processor as Moore's Law falters . July 15, 2015 . Peter . Bright. ArsTechnica.com . the switch to 10nm manufacturing has been delayed until the second half of 2017..
  32. Web site: Intel's Kaby Lake: Everything you need to know . PCGamer.com . Jarred. Walton . January 4, 2017. July 7, 2017. Today marks the official launch date of the desktop S-series 7th Generation Core processors....
  33. News: Intel Core X-series Processors Product Specifications. Intel ARK (Product Specs). 2017-10-05.
  34. https://ark.intel.com/products/codename/126287/Kaby-Lake-R Products formerly Kaby Lake R
  35. Web site: Intel Core i5-8250U, i5-8350U, i7-8550U, and i7-8650U Kaby Lake-R series launches today . August 21, 2017 . Allen . Ngo . Notebookcheck . Intel Core i5-8250U, i5-8350U, i7-8550U, and i7-8650U Kaby Lake-R launches today (Source: Intel) .
  36. Web site: Products formerly Coffee Lake.
  37. News: Intel Unveils the 8th Gen Intel Core Processor Family for Desktop, Featuring Intel's Best Gaming Processor Ever Intel Newsroom. Intel Newsroom. 2017-10-05.
  38. News: New 8th Gen Intel Core Processors Optimize Connectivity, Great Performance, Battery Life for Laptops Intel Newsroom. Intel Newsroom. 2018-08-30.
  39. News: 8 October 2018 . Cutress . Ian . Intel's Basin Falls Skylake-X Refresh: Core i9-9980XE with up to 15% Better Power Efficiency . AnandTech . 29 June 2024.
  40. News: Alcorn . Paul . October 8, 2018 . Intel Announces 9th Generation Core CPUs, Eight-Core Core i9-9900K . Tom's Hardware . en-US . June 29, 2024.
  41. News: Cutress . Ian . 23 April 2019 . Intel 9th Gen Core Processors: All the Desktop and Mobile 45W CPUs Announced . 29 June 2024 . AnandTech.
  42. News: 2 April 2019 . Cutress . Ian . Intel's Enterprise Extravaganza 2019: Launching Cascade Lake, Optane DCPMM, Agilex FPGAs, 100G Ethernet, and Xeon D-1600 . . 29 June 2024.
  43. Web site: Intel Expands 10th Gen Intel Core Mobile Processor Family, Offering Double Digit Performance Gains. Intel Newsroom. en-US. 2019-08-21.
  44. News: Alcorn . Paul . 2020-02-24 . Intel Xeon Refresh: New Cascade Lake Refresh CPUs up to 60 Percent Cheaper Per Core . 2024-06-29 . Tom's Hardware . en.
  45. News: Cutress . Ian . Intel Launches Cooper Lake: 3rd Generation Xeon Scalable for 4P/8P Servers . AnandTech . 29 June 2024.
  46. News: 2021-01-11. Intel Previews 11th Gen Core Rocket Lake: Core i9-11900K and Z590, Coming Q1. 2021-01-16.
  47. Web site: 11th Gen Intel Core: Unmatched Overclocking, Game Performance. 2021-03-16. Intel Newsroom. en-US.
  48. News: Intel Core i3-8121U 10nm processor hits ARK database. HEXUS.net. Mark. Tyson. 2019-06-17.
  49. Web site: What's the Name of Intel's Third 10-Nanometer Chip? This Fool has learned the code name of the follow-on to Intel's Icelake processor.. . Ashraf. Eassa. January 18, 2016 . July 7, 2017.
  50. Web site: Intel 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable (Ice Lake SP) Review: Generationally Big, Competitively Small . Frumusanu . Andrei . 6 April 2021 . AnandTech . . 29 June 2024 . Intel's messaging with its new Ice Lake Xeon Scalable (ICX or ICL-SP) steers away from simple single core or multicore performance, ....
  51. Web site: Intel Launches First 10th Gen Intel Core Processors: Redefining the Next Era of Laptop Experiences. 2019-08-07.
  52. News: Intel Launches World's Best Processor for Thin-and-Light Laptops: 11th Gen Intel Core. 2021-01-16.
  53. Web site: Intel Confirms 10nm Ice Lake Xeon Production Has Started. 2021-01-16.
  54. Web site: Products formerly Raptor Lake . Intel Ark . 29 June 2024.
  55. Web site: Tyson. Mark. 2012-05-15. Intel currently developing 14nm, aiming towards 5nm chips. 2014-02-25. HEXUS.net.
  56. Web site: James. Dave. 2021-03-23. Meteor Lake, Intel's first 7nm CPU, to tape in before July this year and release in 2023. 2021-07-11. PC Gamer. en-US.
  57. Web site: Intel reveals the design of Alder Lake, Sapphire Rapids, Meteor Lake and Granite Rapids CPUs. 2021-08-28. VideoCardz.com. en-US.
  58. Web site: Intel Client & Server CPU Roadmap Updates: Meteor Lake In 2023, 20A & 18A Powered Xeons & Core Chips Beyond 2024. 2022-02-17. Wccftech. 17 February 2022.
  59. Web site: Intel's Silvermont Architecture Revealed: Getting Serious About Mobile . AnandTech.com. Anand . Lal Shimpi . May 6, 2013 . July 7, 2017.
  60. Web site: Hiroshige . Goto . Intel Products for Tablets & SmartPhones . Impress.co.jp . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131114063059/http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/video/pcw/docs/569/575/p2.pdf . 2013-11-14 .
  61. Web site: Import Data and Price of Anniedale . zauba.com . July 7, 2017.
  62. Web site: アウトオブオーダーと最新プロセスを採用する今後のAtom . Kazuaki Kasahara. November 30, 2012. Future Atom adopting out-of-order and latest process. Impress.co.jp. ja. July 7, 2017.
  63. Web site: Products (Formerly Braswell). Ark.Intel.com. Intel Corporation . 5 April 2016.
  64. News: Smith. Ryan. Cutress. Ian. Intel's Changing Future: Smartphone SoCs Broxton & SoFIA Officially Canceled. 29 June 2016. Anandtech.com. 29 April 2016.
  65. Web site: James. Dave. 2021-03-23. Meteor Lake, Intel's first 7nm CPU, to tape in before July this year and release in 2023. 2021-07-11. PC Gamer. en-US.
  66. https://www.golem.de/news/knights-landing-intel-veroeffentlicht-xeon-phi-mit-bis-zu-7-teraflops-1606-121642.html Intel veröffentlicht Xeon Phi mit bis zu 7 Teraflops
  67. Web site: Product Change Notification 116378 - 00 . 25 July 2018 . Intel.com.

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