What Does Sandy Bridge Mean for System Builders? If you were in Las Vegas for the 2011 International CES in early January, you likely saw the range of desktops and laptops featuring Intel's 2nd Generation Core microarchitecture code‐named Sandy Bridge. Manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba, among others, introduced new products with processors featuring the architecture. And according to Todd Garrigues, Intel North Americas channel manager, the processor delivers signiicant performance gains, which spells opportunity for system builders. Learn more about key Sandy Bridge take‐aways, and what it means for you.

Key Take­Aways Amid the fanfare, analysts came away with one message. With CPU‐GPU integration on a single die, the 2nd Generation Core architecture is all about unity, which ultimately: 1. Increases performance 2. Improves visualization technology 3. Reduces power consumption

What's Intel’s 2nd Generation Core? It's Intel's processor family for laptops and PCs. Under the hood, it's the 32nm die‐ shrink of the Nehalem microarchitecture that Intel released in 2010. According to ExtremeTech.com it "won't it the LGA1156 socket those chips use, however‐‐they'll need a new one, LGA1155, which will be released on motherboards using the new Series 6 chipset at the same time Sandy Bridge CPUs are released. It also inally brings the memory controller, PCIe (PCI Express) controller, and video functions within the processor die, which by itself is an enormous change that has major performance repercussions."

Other changes include a retooling of Turbo Boost, which improves performance when needed, and new Advanced Vector Extensions driving loating point‐intensive application performance.

Intel’s 2nd Generation Core Spells Opportunity The general reaction from system builders is positive because Intel’s 2nd Generation Core presents a range of new‐business opportunities. First, its broad adoption across a range of PC manufacturers means that it won't be dificult inding a system that its your customers' needs.

Second, Intel’s 2nd Generation Core can lead to: • Long‐term opportunities for customers who want to update their hardware through a massive PC refresh to get a large performance gain (especially that old Pentium PC) • Helping your customers go green or reduce utility expenses with Sandy Bridge's reduced power consumption • Improvements in digital signage and digital health due to smaller form‐factor machines/PC chassis

"This generation of processors features phenomenal performance gains and eficiencies, so users will get much more productivity out of those cores," says Todd Garrigues, Intel North Americas channel manager. "And the integrated graphics portion of this chipset is very good for business, education and government users, which makes a compelling up‐sell opportunity."

More Information If you're looking for additional reading, featuring interviews with system builders, check out CRN's Nov. 2010, four‐part story "System Builders Preparing For Intel's Sandy Bridge Processor," as well as its Jan. 2011, six‐part story "Intel Partners See Plentiful Opportunities With Sandy Bridge." Finally, for more reading and video, visit the Intel blog.

And for more information about products featuring Intel's 2nd Generation Core processor family, call your Ingram Micro Sales representative at (800) 456‐8000, or the Technical Support Desk at (800) 445‐5066, option 5, ext. 76423.