Intel_Tick-Tock
一年多前，就听说过Intel CPU的Tick-Tock发展模式，不过一直没详细地去认识它。今天网上看了点资料，更加理解了，做个笔记吧。
Intel公司的处理器在过去几年的发布都遵守一个模式，那就是“Tick-Tock”模式。所谓的Tick，是指处理器生产工艺流程的技术改进（比如：45nm/32nm/22nm等工艺技术），可以显著地提高晶体管密度。所谓的Tock，是指处理器新的微架构(microarchitecture)，不仅可以提高效率和性能，而且会增强一些功能（如：硬件支持的视频解码功能、加解密功能）。那么，Tick-Tock模式，就是Tick、Tock都会间隔一年的出现，即：今年出工艺流程的改进（Tick），明年就出新的微架构（Tock）。
下面这张图片可以很好的说明问题：
Intel's Tick-Tock Model
Designed to maintain cadence in ongoing innovation of mainstream Intel® microprocessor technology, Intel utilizes the ‘tick-tock’ model. Using this model, Intel has successfully delivered next-generation silicon technology as well as new processor microarchitecture on alternating years for the past several years.
Tick (process technology advancement) - Fulfilling the prediction of Intel founder and technology visionary Gordon Moore, in what is popularly called Moore’s Law, Intel delivers a new silicon process technology every other year. This ‘tick’ of process technology advancement dramatically increases transistor density while enhancing performance and energy efficiency within a smaller, more refined version of the microarchitecture in production at the time.
Tock (new microarchitecture) - Delivering a new microarchitecture on alternating years, Intel is able to optimize the value of the increased number of transistors and technology updates enabled by the new process. Intel® microarchitecture advancements not only improve energy efficiency and performance, but increase functional density with features, such as hardware-supported video transcoding, encryption/decryption, and other integrated technologies.
For instance, Intel® microarchitecture code name Nehalem (a tock) was initially introduced on the 45nm process technology (a tick). The 2010 Intel® Core™ processor family was the 32nm 'tick' version of the Intel® microarchitecture code name Nehalem. Intel microarchitecture code name Sandy Bridge (tock), initially introduced on 32nm process technology, is the foundation of the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family. And, the 22nm tick of the 2nd generation Intel Core processor family is due to be in production at the end of 2011.
更详细的资料：
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Tick-Tock
http://www.intel.com/content/www/my/en/silicon-innovations/intel-tick-tock-model-general.html