Intel Shows 48-Core Processor for Research

Intel's six- and eight-core processors are the fastest chips that consumers can get their hands on. Intel showed an 48-core processor nicknamed the "single-chip cloud computer" that consumes about the same power as desktop processors available currently. "This is a high core count processor that focuses on efficient energy consumption," says Justin Rattner, chief technology officer of Intel. The chip can operate on as little as 25 watts- or at 125 watts when running at maximum performance - same as the energy consumption of two household light bulbs, says Intel. It can run standard programs designed for Intel's x86 architecture and developers can use the same kind of programming tools that they use for processors with fewer cores available currently.