Replies to post #210 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[Bird of Prey]

Bob, you are.

Each instruction executed is an electrical signal transmitted accross a distance. Just like an extension cord will get warm if you try and push to much through it, the pathways on a chip heat up as more clockcycles get used.
Intel and AMD both include built in thermometers with the chips. there are several shareware and freeware programs that can access this (and the one on the MB too). Get one and you can see for yourself.

Also, the P4 hasn't been released in a multi cpu version yet. Intell doesn't want to cut into the 2.2 gig sales by allowing you to buy and setup dual 1.9's just yet!

The Bird of Prey

[spokeshave]

Bob: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

Digital "work" is really little different that the classical physics definition of work. Any digital process involves the flow of electrons though media that are not perfect conductors. Hence heat is generated.

The P4 has been a rather cool chip compared to AMD for two main reasons: 1) It does less work per clock cycle and therefore produces less heat and 2) The die size is huge compared to AMD and it therefore has more surface area for heat transfer.

It will be interesting to see how much heat the new Northwoods produce. The die shrink to 0.13 micron design rules should actually reduce heat generated. However, they added another 256KB of cache, and there will be less surface area for heat transfer. I would guess that it stays about the same.