Intel updates speed apps

Intel last week updated tools for developers to help them optimise applications for technologies such as HyperThreading, recently introduced to desktop Pentium 4 chips. The new compilers can improve application performance by up to 40 percent compared with programs created using rival tools, according to Intel.

Version 7.0 of the Intel C++ compiler and version 7.0 of Intel's Fortran compiler are optimised for its Pentium 4 desktop chips, its Xeon multi-processor chips for workstations and servers, and its 64bit Itanium family.

Software that will benefit from optimisation include transaction-oriented commercial applications, scientific and engineering tools, and digital media.

The new compilers provide tools to help create threaded applications, where a single program is split into smaller fragments, which can be run simultaneously under operating systems such as Windows XP that support this. Threaded applications can also make use of the HyperThreading technology built into Pentium 4 and Xeon processors, which makes each chip appear to software as two virtual CPUs capable of running separate threads.

Version 7.0 of the C++ compiler is available for Windows and Linux at $399 (£250), while the Fortran 7.0 compiler costs $499 (£320) for Windows and $699 (£440) for Linux. They are available for download.

Have your say: reply to IT Week

See also:

Hyper-threading

Hyper-threading is increasingly employed on Intel processors as a way of boosting performance, and may well shape the way applications are designed in the future.  23 Apr 2003

Intel launches Cambridge research lab

Chip maker collaborates with academics on networking technologies  10 Mar 2003

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!