What is "tick-tock"? As Intel describes it:

"The principle of cadence is based on what Intel calls the tick-tock model of silicon and microarchitecture. This model delivers a common processor architecture across all volume market segments. Each tick represents the silicon compaction beat rate, and each tick has a corresponding tock representing the design of a new microarchitecture, delivered in approximately two-year cycles."

Didn't get any of this? Tgdaily has worded it a little bit better:  

"Intel has begun describing its product introduction strategy as “tick-tock”, which promises to bring a new micro-architecture in even years and a refresh (shrink) in odd years"

This is only a new pace if you compare it to the five-year cycle of late (Pentium 4, Core 2, Athlon, Athlon64). On the other hand, there were times when minor differences qualified as new processors (K6 III or Pentium III). It all depends on what you call a "new microarchitecture" or a "refresh".

A more conservative approach that doesn't go after a big step but gets satisfied with small leaps ahead. Understandable after a failure like Netburst, isn't it?

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