The Core architecture has done very well for Intel and its investors. However, in recent years the advancements to performance delivered by successive generations of Core processors have been uninspiring for many enthusiasts. It was just over a year ago that Intel officially gave up trying to maintain the Tick-Tock era. The shift from Tick (process) Tock (architecture) to a three step model based upon the progression provided by Process-Architecture-Optimisation didn't really surprise anyone.
Another non-surprise is that Intel is actively working on its Next-Generation Core (NGC) processors. The original Core architecture couldn't remain competitive and/or relevant forever, and Intel is looking for personnel to make its NGC processors as big a step forward as we saw back in 2006. For a reminder, here's a HEXUS review of the first Intel Conroe Core 2 Duo/Extreme Processors.
Motley Fool made note of Intel's latest job advertising for a member of the NGC development team. It says that positions on the team were first advertised late last year and it reckons the NGC project kicked off formally on 1st January 2017. The advert referenced has since been removed…
The text of the Intel job advert asks for candidates that are "passionate about seeing your ideas go from white board to billions of pieces of silicon, join the ground floor of Intel's next-generation core (NGC) design team in Hillsboro, Oregon." Confirming the project goal, the advert says Intel is looking to "build a revolutionary microprocessor core to power the next decade of computing and create experiences we have yet to dream up."
Best guesses for the first Intel NGC processor to ship, according to the investment magazine, are sometime in the 2021 to 2022 time frame. Furthermore, it could well be timed to coincide with the first version of Intel's 7nm manufacturing process, suggests the Fool.
