Intel Tuesday unveiled new software tools it says
will help developers simplify writing the next big application running on
its latest desktop and mobile chips.
The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chip making giant unveiled its Intel
Integrated Performance Primitives (Intel IPP) version 4.0 and its Intel
Threading Tools version 2.0 for its Intel Pentium 4 processors (formerly
code-named Prescott). Both are available either as a download or on a CD.
The IPP software will also support Intel’s next generation Personal Internet
Client Architecture (Intel PCA) application processor (code-named Bulverde)
with Wireless MMX technology, which is due later this quarter.
Intel has indicated both Prescott and Bulverde processors are crucial to
its future on the desktop and in mobile and embedded marketplace.
“With continued advancements in processor technology, there has been an
explosion of computing platforms and electronic devices,” Jon Khazam,
general manager of Intel’s Software Products Division said in a statement.
Released last month, Prescott is Intel’s first attempt at 90-nanometer
process manufacturing. Running at 3.40GHz, 3.20 GHz, 3.0 GHz and 2.80 GHz
with 1MB on-die L2 cache, the newest Pentium 4 supports Hyper-Threading
Technology, enhanced NetBurst Microarchitecture, and contain 13 new sets of
instructions, such as streaming Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) —
designed to improve 3D and multimedia capabilities.
The company said it is
already working on a 4GHz Pentium 4 and expects to release it by the end of
2004.
When it debuts, Intel said Bulverde will add camera phone capabilities
and more low-power performance. The processor will include Intel
Wireless MMX technology for better multimedia; Intel Quick Capture
technology that allows for real time video capture, rendering 4 mega pixels
on the fly; and Intel Wireless SpeedStep technology that allows for three
new low power modes.
To address those needs, the IPP 4.0 software library features common APIs
coding standards; extensive sample code to help accelerate software
development; and support for cryptography and string processing for
Intel-based desktop and server platforms.
Likewise, version 2.0 of Intel’s Threading Tools focuses on making
applications run smoother. The platform includes Intel Thread Checker, Intel
Thread Profiler, and Intel VTune Performance Analyzer.
Intel said its Thread
Checker tool locates hard-to-find bugs. The Thread Profiler locates
threading bottlenecks in Win32 or OpenMP threaded code and Intel VTune
Performance Analyzer locates performance bottlenecks.
The new version lets developers run the tools and view results within the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Development Environment, features one click diagnostic help to view and
resolve threading errors, and includes compiler support for Intel C++
Compiler, Intel Fortran Compiler and Microsoft Visual C++ .NET 2002 and 2003
Editions. The tools are available for Intel’s chips that support
Hyper-Threading Technology such as Pentium 4 and Xeon.
Intel said IPP 4.0 is available for the Windows and Linux operating
systems and is offered at the suggested list price of $199. Intel
Threading Tools 2.0 is priced at $1,198.
