During Intel Developer Forum 2013, Intel's CEO, Brian Krzanich, unveiled the new System-on-Chip family, the Quark. The smallest SoC every built by Intel, the Quark is one-fifth the size of Atom and will represent Intel's aggressive push to "lead in every segment of computing", according to Krzanich.

Naturally, the Quark SoC family will be placed below existing and any future Atom, performance wise, and while it did not shed any light on the actual specs, it did note that the size of comparison is core-to-core rather than SoC-to-SoC when compared to 22nm Silvermont core. Intel also noted that Quark family of SoCs will feature open architecture, standard industry software support as well as be full synthesizable.

the first Quark SoC will be based on 32nm manufacturing process and Intel expects to have first samples of reference boards in Q4. After clarification, it is concluded that the Quark family will indeed be based on Pentium ISA compatible architecture so you are looking at x86 chip.

Since it is placed below the Atom line, as well as being smaller and requiring much less power, Intel is obviously targeting tablets, smartphones, wearable tech like smartwatches and glasses as well as other low power, low performance markets that usually use embedded chips. Although it is quite clear that Intel will not be pushing into retail channel, it did show a bracelet-like device as proof of concept.

Intel definitely wants to push for ARM's market and Quark will at least put some pressure on low-end segment while future Atom products should handle the higher segments.







Source: Anandtech.com.