Remember AMD's annoucement of a 12-core server processor in 2010? Well, Intel has an 80-core one. Obviously it's not for desktop use, but they actually have a test chip running 80 cores at a sane TDP today, and this Dell slide confirms it will be an actual product. Also, I don't like the look of that "Core Race" phrase. Will it be like the clockspeed race?

lawl

Just because Intel made an 80-core processors does not mean it will be in mass production anywhere within the next 20 - 30 years.

But this slide is from Dell - they say they will introduce a mass market system with the chip in 2010.

Don't worry, my programs will work with more than thousand(s) cores. Theres only one condition... Those cores must be symmetric. :)

Anyway, ppl from Intel did comment how there will be hundreds of cores in the future.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-9981760-64.html

As we all know, we need sqrt(N) (usually the most optimal amount of cores for algorithm) cores and thats usually quite much.

please notice the + sign after 2010 in their chart.

Heh that's a classic overshooting-the-market chart.

Not all kinds of programs can take advantage of this. And, of course,  Amdahl's law still applies.

I don't think it will take 20-30 years for 80-core chips to reach mainstream market, maybe 10 or so.

If anything it will drive down the cost for the lesser number cores which I am all for.

Oh. Didn't see that. Still, it's closer than we thought and we still have trouble with two cores...

"And, of course,  Amdahl's law still applies."

More cores is still a more efficient use of the transistors Moore's law gives you than clockspeed or IPC boosts. It's still not perfect, agreed.