AMD Plans To Launch Five Six-Core Desktop Microprocessors

Unlike its arch-rival Intel Corp., Advanced Micro Devices plans to launch a rather broad family of six-core central processing units (CPUs) for desktops, sources familiar with the company’s plans told X-bit labs. At present there are at least five code-named Thuban chips are planned for the launch this year.

At Least Five AMD Phenom II X6 “Thuban” Chips Incoming in 2010

Unlike its arch-rival Intel Corp., Advanced Micro Devices plans to launch a rather broad family of six-core central processing units (CPUs) for desktops, sources familiar with the company’s plans told X-bit labs. At present there are at least five code-named Thuban chips are planned for the launch this year.

In the second quarter of 2010 the world’s second largest maker of chips plans to release four AMD Phenom II X6 processors: 1035T with 95W thermal design power (TDP), 1055T with 95W TDP, 1055T with 125W power envelope as well as 1075T with 125W TDP. In the third quarter of the year AMD will speed up the Thuban lineup with a new model (10xxT) and if the things go well, the company may even consider adding sixth chip into the family sometime in Q4 2010.

Forthcoming Desktop Microprocessors from AMD
Model	Code-name	No. of cores	Cache	TDP	Platform	Availability
Phenom II X6 1075T	Thuban	6	9MB	125W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 1055T	Thuban	6	9MB	125W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 1055T	Thuban	6	9MB	95W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 1035T	Thuban	6	9MB	95W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X4 960T	Zosma	4	8MB	95W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 10xxT	Thuban	6	9MB	?	AM3	Q3 2010

Considering that AMD plans to implement dynamic acceleration technology that can accelerate certain cores when they are needed while slowing down the unneeded cores to maintain the TDP, it should be noted that AMD Phenom II X6 1055T with 95W TDP and 1055T with 125W power envelope will show different performance levels as the latter will be able to accelerate itself to higher frequencies in case of single-threaded, dual-threaded or triple-threaded applications.

AMD will position its Phenom II X6 processors for those, who demand “massive performance headroom”, however, given the relatively low clock-speed of many-core CPUs, actual market success of the chips will be determined by their ability to dynamically accelerate themselves at the times when performance is needed the most.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.

Source: xbitlabs.com

(Read more)

AMD Launches 6 Core CPU-Ready 890GX Mobo

AMD and its motherboard partners today released the AMD 890GX Chipset, integrated with the ATI Radeon HD 4290, and are designed to be compatible with the upcoming AMD Phenom II X6 six-core processor. The AMD 890GX Chipset supports the SATA 3.0 6Gb/s hard drive interface and many AMD 890GX-based motherboards feature SuperSpeed USB 3.0 support.

This board is prepped for the hexacore AMD Phenom II X6.

AMD and its motherboard partners today released the AMD 890GX Chipset, integrated with the ATI Radeon HD 4290, and are designed to be compatible with the upcoming AMD Phenom II X6 six-core processor.

The AMD 890GX Chipset supports the SATA 3.0 6Gb/s hard drive interface and many AMD 890GX-based motherboards feature SuperSpeed USB 3.0 support.

We've got our hands on the Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H, the Asus M4A89GTD Pro/USB3, and the MSI 890GXM-G65. After putting them through a barrage of tests, our reviews department found that AMD’s SB850 southbridge is probably the best reason to select an 890GX motherboard over the products it replaces thanks to the new integrated SATA 6Gb/s controller.

Source: tomshardware.com

(Read more)

i7 980X Happily Running On ASRock's Booth

Those who visit ASRock's booth will get a chance to see what seems to be the first Intel Core i7 980X six-core processor demo, and it had no trouble in running on ASRock's X58 Extreme 3 motherboard.

Cebit 2010: On X58 Extreme 3

Those who visit ASRock's booth will get a chance to see what seems to be the first Intel Core i7 980X six-core processor demo, and it had no trouble in running on ASRock's X58 Extreme 3 motherboard.

The company naturally had much more to display, but we just thought you'd like to see this, and we'll fill you in with the rest promptly.

Source: fudzilla.com

(Read more)

Intel’s Six-Core Desktop Chip Available For Pre-Order

Intel Corp.’s forthcoming six-core chip for desktops is now available for pre-order in at least one online store in Europe. The listing may point to availability of the Intel Core i7-980X chip code-named Gulftown in the short-term future.

Listing of Intel Core i7-980X Points to Availability Shortly

Intel Corp.’s forthcoming six-core chip for desktops is now available for pre-order in at least one online store in Europe. The listing may point to availability of the Intel Core i7-980X chip code-named Gulftown in the short-term future.

At present Germany-based retailer Alternate is listing Intel Core i7 980X Extreme Edition microprocessors for sale at €1099 ($1501) for sale. The company even does not provide shipments dates, which, in fact, may point to intention to advertize itself for free, but not to offer exact products to end-users. The practice is more than questionable since Intel may cancel delivery of the new chips to the company, which is why this time X-bit labs provides no links for potential buyers.

Intel Core i7 980X Extreme Edition central processing unit (CPU) will have six cores with Hyper-Threading enabled (thus, will be able to process up to 12 threads in total), will operate at 3.33GH, will feature 12MB of unified L3 cache (in addition to 64KB L1 cache per core and 256KB L2 cache per core, or 14MB of cache in total), triple-channel DDR3 memory controller and will be based on Westmere micro-architecture. The processor will be compatible with existing LGA1366/Intel X58 infrastructure and will have 130W thermal design power.

While the chip enjoys both Westmere micro-architecture and 32nm fabrication process, the new chip comes with disabled with such technologies as TXT or AES-NI that are needed for commercial systems.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Source: xbitlabs.com

(Read more)

AMD Readies Low-Power Server Platform

For years Advanced Micro Devices has claimed that its central processing units (CPUs) for servers are more power-efficient compared to rivals from Intel Corp., however, while the latter offered specially-tailored low-power server platforms, AMD only relied onto its energy-efficient chips on standard platforms. But the things are going to change later this year when AMD launches its code-named Adelaide 2-way platform.

Adelaide: The Secret Weapon of AMD

For years Advanced Micro Devices has claimed that its central processing units (CPUs) for servers are more power-efficient compared to rivals from Intel Corp., however, while the latter offered specially-tailored low-power server platforms, AMD only relied onto its energy-efficient chips on standard platforms. But the things are going to change later this year when AMD launches its code-named Adelaide 2-way platform.

AMD Adelaide platform will be based on the code-named Lisbon six-core energy-efficient CPUs as well as AMD SR5650 core-logic (22 PCIe lanes, 9.6W TDP in low-power HT1 mode) with AMD SP5100 input/output controller. AMD Opteron 4160 EE and 4158 EE chips will be clocked at tremendously low clock-speeds – 1.60GHz and 1.50GHz – however, this makes us hope that the microprocessors will also consume dramatically low amount of power – up to 35W. At present AMD Opteron EE processors have 60W thermal design power (TDP) and 40W average CPU power (ACP).

But the low power consumption of Adelaide will come at a price: if the next-generation Maranello and San Marino platforms will feature HyperTransport 3 links, then Adelaide will have to rely HyperTransport 1 instead in order to reduce consumption of both CPUs and core-logic sets. Just like the code-named San Marino, AMD Adelaide will support up to six memory modules per socket, however, it will not support fast DDR3 modules, but will work with low-voltage DDR3 at the speeds of up to 1066MHz.

AMD’s energy-efficient six-core Opteron microprocessors will feature 3MB of level-two cache (512KB per core), 6MB of level-three cache, two HyperTransport 1 links and dual-channel DDR3 memory controller that supports up to PC3-8500 (DDR3 1066MHz) memory in addition to low-voltage DDR3 and quad-rank DIMMs. The chips will be compatible with C32 socket (LGA 1207) and will feature C1E, Cool Speed, Precision Thermal Monitor, Remote Power Management Interface, DDPM, AMD CoolCore, Enhanced AMD PowerNow! Technology, AMD Wide Floating Point Accelerator, AMD Memory Optimizer Technology, AMD Balanced Smart Cache, AMD-Vc, EVP, OPMA and other technologies.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.

Source: xbitlabs.com

(Read more)

Intel Lists Its Core i7-930

CHIP LEADER Intel has listed its Core i7-930 even though it is not supposed to formally make an announcement until February 28th. Chipzilla's next quad-core CPU has appeared ahead of launch at some European online stores.

CHIP LEADER Intel has listed its Core i7-930 even though it is not supposed to formally make an announcement until February 28th.

Chipzilla's next quad-core CPU has appeared ahead of launch at some European online stores. The Core i7-930 is eagerly awaited. Its prototypes were called "Bloomfield" and it will probably kill off the Core i7-920 model.

The processor is built on the 45nm manufacturing process and its four cores run at 2.80GHz. It has 256KB of L2 cache memory per chip and an 8MB L3 cache. It supports Hyper-Threading and comes with eight threads in total. It also has an integrated triple channel DDR3 memory controller that will enable the CPU to be paired with large amounts of high-speed, top-tier memory.

There should be additional performance gains using Intel Turbo Boost technology, and Intel has said that the Core i7 has extra features, such as the Enhanced Halt State, Extended Stop Grant State, Deep Sleep State, Deeper Sleep State and Deep Power Down for those who think actually turning it off is a bad idea.

Intel's Core i7-930 is currently listed at the price of €254.86. µ

Source: theinquirer.net

(Read more)

Core i7 940XM Comes In Q3 10

Intel is preparing to launch yet another extreme mobile processor, something to top the current performance king the Core i7 Extreme 920XM. This CPU is an upgrade for Calpella high end performance notebook and it comes in Q3 2010.

2.13GHz extreme quad core

Intel is preparing to launch yet another extreme mobile processor, something to top the current performance king the Core i7 Extreme 920XM. This CPU is an upgrade for Calpella high end performance notebook and it comes in Q3 2010.

The clock speed stops at 2.13GHz but this quad core automatically overclocks all the way to 3.33GHz. This will only happen if it doesn’t get that hot. TDP remains at high 55W and this quad core still supports the quite useless Hyperthreading.

This Clarksfield 45nm CPU comes with 8MB cache and 1333MHz DDR3 support. The only ironic thing about this CPU is that 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Core i7 620M that will overclock to 3.33GHz might easily end up as fast as the much more expensive Core i7 Extreme 940XM that will launch soon.

Source: fudzilla.com

(Read more)

Core i7 980 Extreme Edition Crops Up

We’ve written about this CPU on plenty of occasions, but our colleagues from TechReport have come across an EU listing of Intel’s new addition to its i7 series – the Core i7 980 Extreme Edition. We’ll recap real quick – this is the first six core CPU for desktops and are based on 32nm Westmere architecture.

€1.099,-

We’ve written about this CPU on plenty of occasions, but our colleagues from TechReport have come across an EU listing of Intel’s new addition to its i7 series – the Core i7 980 Extreme Edition.

We’ll recap real quick – this is the first six core CPU for desktops and are based on 32nm Westmere architecture. It comes with HyperThreading, 12MB of L3 cache and supports turbo boost up to 3.6GHz. It features DDR3 support up to 1066MHz and its TDP will be at 130W.

The listing puts the CPU’s price at € 1.099,-, which is pretty good as the same retailer sells i7-975 Extreme Edition at only a tad lower price. The e-tailer lists availability date as March 14th.

You can find the CPU listed here. (in German)

Source: fudzilla.com

(Read more)

AMD Begins Revenue Shipments Of Twelve-Core Opteron Microprocessors

Advanced Micro Devices said Friday that it had started shipments of its highly-anticipated twelve-core AMD Opteron microprocessors code-named Magny-Cours. The company indicated that the shipments are limited and are intended to prepare for the launch of servers powered by the new chips due later this quarter.

AMD Has Shipped “Limited Number” of Production Magny-Cours Chips

Advanced Micro Devices said Friday that it had started shipments of its highly-anticipated twelve-core AMD Opteron microprocessors code-named Magny-Cours. The company indicated that the shipments are limited and are intended to prepare for the launch of servers powered by the new chips due later this quarter.

“We have been aggressively sampling production-level parts to customers for nearly 30 days now and have actually shipped a limited number of production parts to allow customers to prepare for launch – on track for later this quarter,” said Phil Hughes, a spokesman for AMD.

AMD Opteron microprocessors transformed Advanced Micro Devices from a producer of inexpensive desktop chips into a world-class supplier of microprocessors for servers back in 2003. At that time the code-named SledgeHammer processor with one processing core and up to 2.40GHz clock-speed brought a number of breakthrough innovations that redefined the mainstream server industry, including integrated memory controller, chip-to-chip interconnect for multi-processor systems, x86-64 capability and a number of other improvements. Seven years later the Magny-Cours processor is supposed to once again transform the server market with twelve x86 processing engines, quad-channel memory controller as well as new high-speed chip-to-chip interconnection. This time, however, AMD Opteron will have to fight against Intel Corp.’s octa-core Xeon processor that not only has the benefits of the Nehalem micro-architecture, but also boasts with a number of reliability, availability, serviceability (RAS) advantages presently only found in mission-critical servers, such as those based on Intel Itanium, IBM Power or Sun UltraSPARC microprocessors.

Central processing units for servers are sold at a great price-premium, which is why it is crucially important for both Sunnyvale, California-based AMD as well as Santa Clara, California-based Intel to have the best microprocessors for server markets as such chips bring very high profit.

According to preliminary information from unofficial sources, the mainstream line of twelve-core AMD Opteron 6000-series processors will consist of three chips operating at 1.90GHz, 2.10GHz and 2.20GHz. Besides, AMD will also release highly efficient (HE) and special edition (SE) AMD Opteron 6000 microprocessors with twelve processing engines functioning at 1.70GHz and 2.30GHz, respectively. In addition, AMD plans to launch three standard-voltage eight-core chips at 2.0GHz, 2.30GHz and 2.40GHz frequencies along with two HE eight-core processors at 1.80GHz and 2.0GHz clock-speeds. In order to ensure maximum stability, all AMD’s twelve-core processors will come with reduced clock-speed of integrated memory controller and L3 cache (1.80GHz) compared to six-core and quad-core products.

Even though clock-speeds of AMD Opteron 6000-series processors are not high, AMD will still increase thermal design power of Maranello server platform. Based on preliminary information, AMD G34 (1944-pin) CPUs will have 85W, 115W or 140W TDP, which is somewhat higher compared to TDPs supported by existing multi-processor platforms.

More here: xbitlabs.com

(Read more)

AMD Emphasizes Energy Efficient Opterons

This week's Server Den steps back from the systems side to take a look at one of the processors which powers it all. I'm talking about AMD's Opteron, which famously shook up the category when it launched in 2003 as the industry's first 32/64-bit architecture.

This week's Server Den steps back from the systems side to take a look at one of the processors which powers it all. I'm talking about AMD's Opteron, which famously shook up the category when it launched in 2003 as the industry's first 32/64-bit architecture. Opteron is even more notable for its groundbreaking jettisoning of the front-side bus in favor of direct connectivity between the CPU and memory and I/O.

I'm going to dive into my interview with Nigel Dessau [picture at right], AMD's chief marketing officer, soon, but first some background. The middle years of the last decade, when AMD was widely acknowledged to have achieved a lead in server processor performance, has since receded into a more traditional neck-in-neck battle. In 2009, Intel reset the bar with Nehalem. AMD parried with its new "Istanbul" Opterons.

Currently, AMD is attacking the server space on both the performance and energy efficiency fronts. At the high end, AMD is readying its Opteron 6100 series processor, aka Magny-Cours, which will come in eight- and 12-core versions. Power savings are spotlighted in the Opteron 4100 series, due this quarter. As I discussed in my recent interview with HP, reining in electricity costs may not be sexy, but it's the largest--and most easily addressed--item on the checklist for anyone buying servers, so this is a smart play on AMD's part.

It's good to see AMD moving forward as a continuing processor player. Its ongoing and healthy market presence might not have been predicted if one had been paying close attention to its challenged financial results over the past several years. However, the company put itself on a revived footing in 2009. That was accomplished by spinning off its chip manufacturing operation into a separate company called GlobalFoundries.

More here: informationweek.com

(Read more)

Intel Planning Faster Core i3/Core i7 CPUs For Q2?

Fudzilla believes Intel plans to offer faster Core i3 and Core i7 (Lynnfield) CPUs sometime next quarter. On the Core i3 front, the site claims that Intel plans to offer a third Core i3 SKU, the Core i3-550, which will be clocked at 3.2GHz. Other key specs will carry over unchanged.

Fudzilla believes Intel plans to offer faster Core i3 and Core i7 (Lynnfield) CPUs sometime next quarter.

On the Core i3 front, the site claims that Intel plans to offer a third Core i3 SKU, the Core i3-550, which will be clocked at 3.2GHz. Other key specs will carry over unchanged.

When the new i3 CPU arrives, Fudzilla expects the 540 will finally displace Intel's Core 2 Duo E8600, pushing the Wolfdale processors into the bargain bin of the CPU market.

For enthusiasts, Fudzilla says Intel will release the Core i7-880 next quarter. The chip will supposedly be clocked at 3.06GHz, with Turbo Mode taking speeds as high as 3.73GHz.

With these kind of specs, the Core i7-880 could potentially step on the toes of the Bloomfield-based Core i7-950 and 960, but remember that Intel plans to introduce the first 6-core desktop parts shortly.

Source: firingsquad.com

(Read more)

AMD To Launch Four Six-Cores In Q2

We just received word that AMD plans to launch a total of four six-core CPUs and while some of them will share the same specification, it will not be the case for the TDP. The top one is going to be called Phenom II X6 1075T and it will have 125W. Some people have suggested that there will be a faster version of this CPU with 140W but we are not aware of that at press time.

95 to 125W TDP

We just received word that AMD plans to launch a total of four six-core CPUs and while some of them will share the same specification, it will not be the case for the TDP.

The top one is going to be called Phenom II X6 1075T and it will have 125W. Some people have suggested that there will be a faster version of this CPU with 140W but we are not aware of that at press time.

The runner up is Phenom II X6 1055T and this one will come in 125 and 95W variants. The last one is named Phenom II X6 1035T and comes with lower frequency and 95W. We heard that the entire line-up will end up at lower than 3GHz clock speed but we don’t know the exact values, at least not at press time.

The launch date is Q2 2010 but we don’t have any better date than that.

Source: fudzilla.com

(Read more)

Intel 65nm CPUs production To Stop In Q3 10

Intel has revealed to its special few that in Q1 2010 65nm CPUs are still representing quite low 3 percent of its total shipment. This is set to shrink to 2 percent in Q2 and one percent in Q3 and if all goes well Intel's percentage of 65nm will sink below one percent and probably disappear in Q4 2010.

45nm products dominant

Intel has revealed to its special few that in Q1 2010 65nm CPUs are still representing quite low 3 percent of its total shipment. This is set to shrink to 2 percent in Q2 and one percent in Q3 and if all goes well Intel's percentage of 65nm will sink below one percent and probably disappear in Q4 2010.

In the mean time 45nm is at its peak as in Q1 massive 85 percent of CPUs are 45nm and some 12 percent are being manufactured in 32nm. In Q2 the 45nm process shanks to 78 percent while 32nm grows to 20 percent and in Q3 45nm drops further to 71 percent of all CPUs while 32nm jumps to 28 percent, more than two times of what Intel plans to ship in Q1 2010.

In Q4 Intel plans to churn out some 65 percent of its CPUs in 45nm, while the remaining 35 percent will be manufactured in 32nm. We are sure that the number of 32nm CPUs will overtake 45nm by mid-2011.

Source: fudzilla.com

(Read more)

AMD Receives Grant to Develop Fusion Processors

Advanced Micro Devices has announced that it had entered a memorandum of understanding under which its Canadian subsidiary would be awarded by a five-year grant of $52.8 million to fund research and development activities in the development of the code-named Fusion accelerated processing units (APUs) that combine x86 and graphics processing cores onto the same chips.

Canadian Government Supports Development of AMD Fusion

Advanced Micro Devices has announced that it had entered a memorandum of understanding under which its Canadian subsidiary would be awarded by a five-year grant of $52.8 million to fund research and development activities in the development of the code-named Fusion accelerated processing units (APUs) that combine x86 and graphics processing cores onto the same chips.

Canadian Ontario state expects to make its initial investment of $11.2 million CAD to AMD upon signing the formal agreement, with periodic payments occurring thereafter throughout the grant period. In turn, AMD will commit to substantially invest in AMD Fusion processor-related R&D activities in Markham, and retain and create hundreds of high-value R&D jobs during the grant time frame. AMD also plans to increase collaborative activities with local universities.

AMD’s subsidiary in Canada was obtained back in 2006, when AMD acquired ATI Technologies, the company that specialized on development of graphics processing units (GPUs) as well as core-logic sets. As AMD’s largest R&D center outside the United States, AMD Canada employs more than 1600 people, including an average of 100 engineering student participants in its internship and co-op programs.

“With this partnership, Ontario will be at the forefront of helping to bring this game-changing technology to market, and will deepen the province’s reputation as a seat of technology innovation. AMD Fusion technology is set to enable significant breakthroughs in personal computing and our R&D facility in Markham, Ontario is playing an instrumental role in creating this technology.” said Dirk Meyer, AMD president and chief exec.

Source: xbitlabs.com

(Read more)

AMD’s Twelve-Core Microprocessors Available For Sale

Oakville Mehlville Computers, a maker of custom servers and workstations from Missouri, has started to sell twelve-core AMD Opteron 6174 microprocessors for servers at an Ebay auction. The chips are not officially launched yet, even though the processors do not look like engineering samples and may belong to the first mass-production batch of twelve-core chips.

Company Sells AMD Opteron 6174 Processors at Ebay

Oakville Mehlville Computers, a maker of custom servers and workstations from Missouri, has started to sell twelve-core AMD Opteron 6174 microprocessors for servers at an Ebay auction. The chips are not officially launched yet, even though the processors do not look like engineering samples and may belong to the first mass-production batch of twelve-core chips.

The manufacturer of custom high-end machines sells a set of four AMD Opteron 6174 microprocessors with 2.20GHz clock-speed, 12MB of unified level-three cache and 6MB level-two cache (512KB of cache per core). The central processing units code-named Magny-Cours have quad-channel PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333MHz) memory controller and are designed for socket G34 platform.

The starting bid for the set of four tray microprocessors is $6500, the seller may also sell the central processing units for a total price of $8000 immediately. The seller does not offer an actual mainboard or cooling systems for the chips separately, hence, for the vast majority of potential buyers the chips will be useless, it is even impossible to test whether they work, a not very good thing since no returns are accepted. Interestingly, but Oakville Mehlville Computers also offers complete 48-core server running AMD’s twelve-core microprocessors for $20000.

Considering the fact that the microprocessors carry their official model number and marking, it is possible that those chips are not evaluation or development samples, but are the chips produced by AMD in mass quantities using 45nm SOI fabrication process. When asked for a comment whether the company has already started to ship its next-gen server microprocessors for revenue, AMD decided not to comment on the matter, but to re-emphasize the commitment to start their shipments in Q1 2010.

“What I can confirm for you at this point is that Magny-Cours is on track to launch in the current quarter,” said Phil Hughes, a spokesperson for AMD.

Source: xbitlabs.com

(Read more)