Hardest part is software
"Over time, I expect these advanced concepts to find their way into mainstream devices, just as advanced automotive technology such as electronic engine control, air bags and anti-lock braking eventually found their way into all cars," added Rattner.
When it comes to apps and software, Intel says the chip's network would be able to quickly pass information directly between cooperating cores in a matter of microseconds, reducing the need to access data in slower off-chip system memory.
Applications could also apparently manage exactly which cores should be doing what task at any given time, bumping related tasks to nearby cores.
Keeping with its commitment to power management, Intel says the amount of software control going into the prototype will also allow for the managing of voltage and clock speed as well as the ability to turn cores on and off or change their performance levels.
Sounds good in theory, but the practice remains to be seen.
In order to get things kick started, however, Intel says it will be distributing about 100 or more of its prototype chips to members of the industry and academia by next year. The firm hopes this will generate some hands-on research and ideas for developing new software applications and programming models to go with it.
