AMD Processors

AMD's Analyst Day, Part I: Product Focus And Design Roadmaps Through 2010

News — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:44:40 GMT

At its Analyst Day event today, AMD revealed its product roadmaps and goals for 2010 and 2011. Given the depth and scope of the eight-hour briefing, we've broken the data into two posts. In Part I, we'll cover AMD's competitive strategy and CPU/GPU roadmaps as currently envisioned. Part II will examine GlobalFoundries' performance and that company's future plans.

The Future Is (Still) Fusion:

One of the major themes of the event was AMD's concept of heterogeneous computing. In heterogeneous computing, workloads are divided between the CPU and GPU, regardless of whether the graphics processor is on-die, integrated into the motherboard, or a discrete card. The process of splitting and directing a given workload to the processor best-equipped to execute it is presumed to be intelligent in order to ensure GPU-centric tasks don't end up being run on the CPU or vice versa.

According to corporate vice-president Chekib Akrout, the amount of additional performance that can be achieved by focusing on single-threaded or multi-threaded performance is quite low. Heterogeneous computing on the other hand, has only begun to ramp, making it the logical focus for AMD going forward. While the term "Fusion" is often used to refer to a processor with a GPU on-package, AMD sees it as an overarching term for CPU+GPU execution. In the diagram below, APU stands for accelerated processing unit and represents the combined capabilities of the two separate processors.

For all AMD's discussion of heterogeneous computing today, however, its actual execution has lagged considerably when compared to NVIDIA. Where the latter has sunk millions of dollars into promoting the idea of the GPU as a processing unit, AMD has generally sat back and focused on the more traditional appeal of improved 3D graphics and frame rates. There's nothing stopping AMD from turning its focus towards GPGPU development, but there's little evidence that this has been a top priority to date.

Server, Desktop, and Mobile Updates

The graph above represents AMD's current server performance and the projected performance of both Magny-Cours and Interlagos. Magny-Cours is an Istanbul derivative presumably built on 45nm. The new processor will use AMD's upcoming Maranello platform, which sports four memory channels instead of two. When Interlagos launches in 2011, it'll be based on AMD's all-new "Bulldozer" architecture. Core counts are also going up—Magny-Cours is an 8-12 core processor, while Interlagos will feature 12-16 cores. In both cases, hexa-core and quad-core derivatives of these CPUs will be available for the 1P and 2P markets.

There aren't a whole lot of surprises on AMD's desktop roadmap for 2010. As we've previously reported, the hexa-core Thuban processor (aka Istanbul) will drop into the enthusiast market accompanied by a new chipset. Mainstream systems will continue using dual-core or quad-core Athlon II's, but should shift over to DDR3 by the end of the year. Dorado's integrated GPU won't be DX11-capable—we won't see that feature until 2011—but should be at least as fast as the current 785G. In 2011, AMD will roll out Bulldozer-based quad and octal cores in the enthusiast market. The mainstream segment will feature Llano, AMD's first CPU+GPU hybrid. Llano will be built on 32nm technology, and the integrated GPU will apparently be DX11-capable.

AMD has long struggled in the mobile segment, but the company's 2010 roadmap is potentially strong enough to change its fortunes. AMD will migrate to 45nm-derived mobile processors across all mobile markets next year, while simultaneously shifting to DDR3. Mobile DX11 GPUs will be available within the next 12 months, as will quad-core "Champlain"-class processors. Sunnyvale is scarcely guaranteed more market share in the next year, especially given Intel's shift to 32nm processors, but the company should see an uptick thanks to 45nm mobile Turion's presumably lower power consumption and better performance-per-watt.

Conclusion:

AMD's roadmap is currently an odd mixture of solid predictions and relative unknowns. Over the next twelve months, AMD generally plans to accelerate/improve already proven technology across both its CPU and GPU product divisions. In 2011, the emphasis is decidedly different. In the past, AMD has generally introduced new architectures in the server market first, with desktop parts launching 6-9 months later and mobile parts appearing last. The roadmaps AMD released today indicate that Bulldozer and Bobcat—the company's two all-new architectures—may launch across all product segments over a much shorter period of time.

If the two designs ramp as quickly as indicated, AMD's competitive position vs. Intel could shift dramatically within a relatively short period of time. Heading into 2010, AMD is generally better positioned than it was a year ago, but the company still has precious little room for error. For the next twelve months, at least, Intel looks to hold the performance high ground; whether or not AMD can change that farther on will depend on just how good Bobcat and Bulldozer turn out to be.

AMD Launches 125W Phenom II X4 965 CPU

News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:24:20 GMT

August marked the launch of AMD's current flagship desktop processor, the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition. Today, we have a fresh revision of this CPU that brings some new features to the table. Unfortunately, these new aspects do not improve stock performance of the 3.4GHz quad-core chip. Instead, they tweak it in other areas that many enthusiasts care about. Here's a quick run down of those improvements...

AMD Launches 125W Phenom II X4 965 CPU

AMD Athlon II X2 240e and X3 435 Mainstream CPUs

News — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:27:59 GMT

With the current price war going on between Intel and AMD at the lower-end of the market, consumers are left with more affordable options than ever before. One can argue that there has never been a better time to build a computer or upgrade an aging system, especially with the cost of relatively high-performing hardware finally reaching attainable levels. And with AMD's recent launch of their first $99 quad-core, enthusiasts have run out of excuses to postpone the jump to multi-core computing.

AMD continues to expand their product line up with mainstream processors at competitive prices with the launch of eight new Athlon II models today. These chips range from dual to quad-core varieties and feature lower power consumption as well. Today, we will be looking at two variants from this launch, the dual core Athlon II X2 240e and triple core X3 435 processors. Come on by and take a look...

AMD Athlon II X2 240e and X3 435 Mainstream CPUs

Despite Analyst Agitation, An AMD Atom Is No Answer to Company's Woes

News — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:24:24 GMT

Several financial analysts have weighed in on AMD's Q2 performance since the company announced results, and their collective opinion has been anything but good. In the wake of its earnings call, AMD has been taken to task over its failure to provide an answer to Atom (or a netbook processor in general), weak margins, and strong competition from Nehalem and the mainstream parts based on it that will launch in the second half of this year. If you want the full tally, have a look at ZDNet's report here.

A number of these criticisms are well-founded, but dinging the company for its supposed failure in the netbook market indicates that the analysts in question have a weak grasp on both CPU development and AMD's current technological position vis-à-vis Intel. In a perfect world, yes, AMD would have a netbook-class processor, be operating in the black, and Jerry Sanders would award each and every employee with their very own llama. Since the world isn't perfect, AMD has to make do with what it has and netbooks aren't really in the picture.

Understanding Atom

Intel's Atom is a small, in-order processor designed explicitly for minimal power draw. To that end, Intel sacrificed a number of features that would have increased the chip's performance at the cost of additional power usage. Atom is built on a 45nm process (something AMD is still transitioning to), and in real terms, these chips aren't all that expensive. Intel announced that it had reached gross margin percentage parity between Atom and its other products several quarters back, but matching the percentage doesn't equate to receiving the same number of real dollars per processor sold.

Atom dies above, Core 2 Duo (45nm) dies below.

The point to all this is that Intel didn't just slash the cache off a Core 2 Duo, drop the clockspeed, remove complexity, and call it a new chip. Intel didn't invent the idea of a modern, low-cost, low-power x86 processor—VIA's CPU division, Centaur, (the other, other, x86 CPU manufacturer) has been building them for about 10 years—but Atom hit the market at the right place and time to turn into a sensation that not even Intel saw coming. Atom production in the latter half of 2008 was constrained while the CPU giant brought additional testing equipment online, and while Atom accounted for some $353 million in revenue for the company in the second quarter of this year, the diminutive chip can't support Intel's existing business cycle. Atom may not rise to the level of a disruptive technology, but its increasing prominence in the past 12 months is definitely changing the way OEMs do business.

Why A Netbook Makes No Sense for AMD

At present, AMD contracts with (and is the sole customer of) GlobalFoundries to produce its processors at one of two foundries. The first fab, F1M1, is a 4.5 year-old facility that initially debuted at the 65nm node using 300mm wafers, but has since begun transitioning to 45nm. The second fab, F1M2, née Fab 38, née Fab 30) is currently producing 45nm processors using 300mm wafers; GlobalFoundries has previously stated that this facility is also working on deploying 32nm bulk silicon. Comments made during AMD's second-quarter conference call indicate that the company is still selling far more 65nm products than 45nm; AMD doesn't expect to see 45nm parts account for 60 percent or more of total shipments until the fourth quarter of this year.

AMD's mobile roadmap through 2010.

Let's take a moment and consider AMD. It's been at least three years since it posted a profitable quarter, the corporation has cut jobs left and right, and has drawn its break-even point down to just $1.3 billion in revenue, down from $1.5 billion before the economic crisis tore things up. Equipment sales, the well-regarded Phenom II launch last January, and Strong performance over the last year from its ATI division have collectively helped stem the flow of red ink, but never halted it. AMD's 45nm execution has thus far been excellent—the company introduced its own hexa-core Istanbul processor on June 1, five months ahead of schedule—but Sunnyvale is walking a financial tightrope in which every decision and product introduction must be weighed against that $1.3 billion break-even point CEO Dirk Meyer has pledged to reach by the end of 2009.

Given the reality of its present position, AMD has an obligation to its shareholders to compete only in those markets where it can maximize return while minimizing cost. AMD has never done particularly well in mobile; there's no reason to expect that the arrival of a netbook product would change that. With R&D financially constrained and the company's expected capital expenditures for 2009 cut to $100 million (down from $150 million), AMD doesn't have the luxury of sitting down and designing a true Atom competitor. The best the company could hope to do in the short-term would be to build a 45nm Athlon II at minimal clockspeeds and very little cache. Such a chip might find traction in the highest-end netbooks, but it would be a kludgy Atom competitor at best.

An AMD-designed Atom-like processor would be little more than a speedbump for Intel's steamroller at this point in time, and AMD knows it. The company's solution to Atom, at least thus far, is to attempt to create a market at a price point and performance level in the space between Atom and lower-end Intel mobile Celeron parts. This approach is exemplified in the HP dv2, though CNET blogger Brooke Crothers notes that HP's new baby may not be ramping well. Nevertheless, AMD has blocked out its own price/performance segment precisely because it has no answer to Atom in the near future.

AMD's lack of a netbook processor may be a theoretical weakness, but the company's decision to focus on desktop and server markets where it's historically been strongest is the right decision. The netbook market may be burning hot right now, but Sunnyvale's gross margins are already almost 50 percent lower than Intel's and its financial position, as previously noted, is precarious. AMD is obviously hoping to strengthen its mobile position with its upcoming "Tigris" platform refresh, but it'll be desktop and server markets that make or break Dirk Meyer's profitability promise. Netbooks, however tempting, will have to wait.

AMD Names Thomas Seifert Chief Financial Officer

News — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:20:43 GMT

AMD Names Thomas Seifert Chief Financial Officer

20-year semiconductor industry veteran with proven financial, operations and management experience

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the appointment of Thomas Seifert as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Seifert, 46, will report to Dirk Meyer, AMD president and chief executive officer, and will have responsibility for leading the company’s global financial organization. Seifert succeeds Robert Rivet, who was previously promoted to chief operations and administrative officer.

“Thomas is a talented industry veteran with a wealth of knowledge and experience managing the operations and finances of companies in the most difficult and competitive sectors of the semiconductor industry,” said Meyer. “This knowledge and experience will enable him to further strengthen AMD’s financial foundation and help accelerate our transformation into a product design and marketing leader.”

Thomas Seifert - Chief Bean Counter - AMD

Seifert joins AMD from Qimonda, where he most recently was a member of the Management Board as well as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Previously, Seifert was senior vice president and general manager of the Wireline Business Group at Infineon AG.

Seifert received a bachelor’s degree from Friedrich Alexander University, a master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Friedrich Alexander University.

Details Leak on AMD's Upcoming Hexa-Core Processor

News — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:43:40 GMT

There's been an invisible hexa-core processor lurking on AMD's desktop roadmap ever since the company launched Shanghai on 45nm, but the company has refused to confirm or deny that such a chip was in the works—until now. As of today, AMD's hexa-core desktop processor—codenamed Thuban—is officially on the board. Exact launch dates aren't yet available, but we've got a few details on the core architecture. For those of you who care about this sort of thing, Thuban is a star in the constellation Draco and was once a pole star roundabout 3000 BC.(Six inch clear platform heels are much older than anyone realizes -Ed).

Thuban, like Istanbul, will be a monolithic core and will utilize the same 45nm process as its cousin in the server space. In a surprising move, AMD has apparently confirmed that the upcoming processors will be drop-in compatible with AM3, AM2+, and AM2 motherboards. If that turns out to be accurate, Socket AM2/AM2+ owners that first bought boards when 90nm dual-core Athlon 64 X2's were all the rage will be able to upgrade to 45nm hexa-core processors that could well occupy the same power envelope. The Phenom II X6, as it's expected to be known, will reportedly carry 3MB of L2 (512K per core) and a 6MB unified L3 cache. While this has yet to be confirmed, it's probably accurate; the L2/L3 cache configuration on Thuban is identical to both Istanbul and Shanghai. AMD isn't spilling the beans on any of its launch frequencies at this point, but a glance at the company's current product line, plus a little educated guessing, can get us pretty close.

Istanbul, ~~Constantinople~~ and now Thuban

Based on the company's current lineup of Phenom II, quad-core Opteron, and hexa-core Istanbul processors, Thuban will likely debut at or around 3GHz, with a TDP between 95-125W, depending on how mature the 45nm production lines at GlobalFoundries are by then. Scaling Thuban will be tricky; there's no getting around the fact that more cores = more heat. Expect a relatively low frequency ceiling compared to the Phenom II X4; it'll be surprising if AMD pushes these chips above 3.2GHz; 3.4GHz would likely knock its head on the 140W TDP ceiling.

It's not immediately obvious which Intel processors Thuban will target. Based on what we've seen from our quad-core Nehalem vs. Shanghai match-ups, Intel's ultra-high end, hexa-core Gulftown (Core i9) is virtually certain to pummel Thuban in any head-to-head competition. Knowing this, AMD will likely target Thuban against Intel's Core i7 series, and possibly the upper-end Core i5s as well. In such comparisons, the extra two cores will definitely make a difference. HyperThreading is one of the main reasons the Core i7 takes Phenom II to the mat time after time, particularly in SMP-friendly tests. An extra two cores won't work magic, but it'll put the two processors on much more even ground. AMD could theoretically attempt to press Intel's Core i5/i3 processors with lower-clocked Thubans, but the size and complexity of the die (346mm², 904 million transistors) make this unlikely. As with Shanghai, Thuban will have to balance itself on a relatively narrow price/performance tightrope.

We could launch into a discussion of how many people actually need six processors, but that horse done been beat before.

AMD Athlon II X4 Processors Debut: Enter The $99 Quad-Core

News — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:39:47 GMT

AMD has been attacking the mainstream PC segment lately with a slew of modestly priced processors and chipsets. The attack started with the new Athlon II X2 value processors back in June, which were a much needed replacement for the out-dated Athlon X2 series. Then a few weeks later, AMD released their new mainstream chipset, the 785G, which we found to be an excellent complement to the new Athlon II's. Today AMD is adding the final piece to their new mainstream desktop platform with the release of a line-up of value-priced quad-cores; the Athlon II X4 series.

At first the announcement of Athlon II X4s doesn't seem too interesting. Especially since they have been rumored for some time and it wasn't much of a stretch to imagine that AMD would get around to releasing quad-core Athlon II processors eventually. Not to mention the Athlon IIs are in many ways just Phenom IIs with the L3 cache removed, so there isn't a ton of brand new tech under the hood to ogle at. However, things get a lot more interesting when you hear the list price.

Consider for a moment the prospect of full, native quad-core capabilities at a palatable mainstream price normally associated with dual-cores. Pleasant thought, isn't it? Well now AMD is making it a reality. The new Athlon II X4s will start at just $99, making them the cheapest quad-core processors on the market. A quad-core with a two digit price tag, interested yet?

AMD Athlon II Processors

Despite Signs of Economic Recovery AMD's Market Share Fell in Q2

News — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:23:07 GMT

In the past 12 months, AMD has revamped its entire product line around its 45nm Shanghai architecture; the company now has a range of Athlon II and Phenom II parts that stretches from an Athlon II X2 at 2.8GHz/1MB L2 at $60 to the unlocked Phenom II X4 965 "Black Edition" at $245 with 512K of L2 per core and a 6MB L3. Shanghai, as we've discussed on more than one occasion, was a big step in the right direction for AMD—it may not offer competitive performance vs. Core i7/Core i5, but it competes quite well with Intel's Core 2 Duo.

Unfortunately, the company's stronger product line has yet to bolster its sagging market share. According to the research firm iSuppli, AMD's share of the global PC market fell to 11.5 percent in the second quarter of 2009, a year-on-year decline of 0.4 percent. AMD's share of the PC revenue pie also fell sequentially, down 1.4 percent from Q1. If you're trying to make sense of the various analyst reports and market share figures, it helps to remember that different reports target different (and distinct) market segments. At the end of Q1 2009, AMD held 29.4 percent of the desktop CPU market, 10.1 percent of server/workstation revenue, and accounted for 12.6 percent of mobile sales. Long term, this is an untenable situation. Of the three categories—desktop, mobile, and server—its the latter two that drive revenue the most. When Intel and AMD revealed Q2 financial results, Intel's gross margin per processor was 50.8 percent. AMD's gross margin for the same period, excluding one-time factors, was just 29 percent. Higher ASP's mean better gross margins, better gross margins means more money.

iSuppli analyst Matt Wilkins identifies AMD's low ASPs as the reason the company didn't benefit from the 1.4 percent global rise in PC shipments that occurred earlier this year. "AMD didn’t benefit from the small sequential rise in PC sales because its average microprocessor pricing was lower than that from the first quarter of 2009,"Wilkins said.

The newly launched Lynnfield platform and Intel's 32nm CPU/GPU processor (codenamed Westmere) strike at both the midrange and the low-end of the PC business; Sunnyvale will have to answer both products with competitive solutions, without cutting its own throat in the process. Thus far, AMD has fought back by releasing the hexa-core Istanbul processor months ahead of schedule, unveiling new mobile low-power chipsets/processors, and recently launched its Vision initiative. The stated goal of the project is to offer would-be buyers the ability to choose a system based on what they want to do with it, rather than by CPU clockspeed alone. If you want to see how AMD would categorize systems, check here for an example. Congo, AMD's new low-power chipset, should smoke Yukon, although AMD does note that they made some "small" changes to the integrated GPU. The R780M ships with ATI's UVD technology, which should make high-def playback much more smooth.

Will these projects and launches collectively change AMD's position in mobile or server? Hard to say. Instanbul's performance (and drop-in compatibility) may help the company regain server market share, but Intel has had a tight grip on the mobile market for a long, long time.

AMD's Low-Power, Six-Core Opteron EE Eyes Cloud Computing

News — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:59:31 GMT

Slowly but surely, cloud and dense computing environments are becoming more and more popular. With services such as Apple's MobileMe and Google's own application suite living on the web, it's not hard to see why these tactics are becoming more pervasive. And wouldn't you know it--AMD is chomping at the bit to make sure it gets in on the bandwagon early.

Today, the company is introducing the immediate availability of the new six-core Opteron EE processor at 40W ACP. Designed specifically to provide plenty of power for cloud computing environments without the power draw of more gamer-centric processors, this unit promises up to 31% higher performance-per-watt over standard Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors. AMD has been seriously focusing on power drain of late, even going so far as to speak publicly about the errors in battery life reporting made by modern notebook makers.

Patrick Patla, vice president and general manager, Server and Workstation Division, had this to say about the new chips:

"It’s important for our industry to look at how technology is being used and where customers have emerging needs. The AMD Opteron EE processor enables OEMs to deliver energy-sipping servers that don’t compromise on power management, virtualization or performance features. It is specifically designed to help address the challenges that are generating a great deal of discussion these days - building and running very dense data centers for Web services, while doing more with less."

There's no mention of a price, but those interested should be able to hit up their favorite silicon shop today and find out. Here are a few highlights about what you'll get:

    * Many customers requiring this very low power processor deploy dense, large-scale IT projects where system power trumps raw performance and every watt of power savings can have significant positive impact on the bottom line.
    * AMD offers a wide range of energy-efficient processors; customers now have 15 low and very low power server processor choices available.
    * All of AMD’s low power processors are fully-featured and available with the same AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™) technology and AMD-P features for advanced virtualization and power savings capability as standard power versions.
    * This 40W ACP processor is currently being integrated in custom solutions programs and will be available from system builders for cloud and Web 2.0 customers where density and low power are key considerations.

AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition CPU Review

News — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:29:22 GMT

AMD is launching a brand new flagship desktop processor today, dubbed the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition. As you can probably surmise from its name--if you're familiar with AMD's naming convention--the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition is virtually identical to the 955 it supplants at the top of AMD's desktop processor line-up, save for the 965's higher default clock speed. Whereas the 955 clocked in at a speedy 3.2GHz, the new 965 arrives at a lofty 3.4GHz, making it the highest clocked CPU to come from AMD to date.

The Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition is based on the same core as all current socket AM3, quad-core Phenom II processors and it as the same cache configuration and overall feature set. There are some slight differences to its specifications, however, which we have listed for you below. The 965 BE's differentiating features are, as we've mentioned, it's higher frequency of 3.4GHz and also its higher maximum TDP of 140W. Please take note of the higher TDP, as not all socket AM2+/AM3 motherboards will support it.

Once you're done taking a gander at the specifications below, check out some related articles and hunker down for some testing and benchmarks as we find out what AMD's new Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition is made of...

AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition CPU Review

AMD Launches Athlon II X2 245 & 240 Processors

News — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:41:15 GMT

New AMD Athlon II X2 245 and 240 Processors Designed to Efficiently Handle Today’s Mainstream Computing Needs

-- Dual-core processors deliver the right mix of power efficiency and performance at very affordable price points --

What: AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced the AMD Athlon II X2 dual-core 245 and 240 processors, delivering 45nm technology-based performance to mainstream PC users for less than $67 USD. When combined with AMD’s chipsets, these processors are designed to provide plenty of performance to handle today’s popular mainstream applications in multitasking environments – all while remaining cool and quiet.

Why: Given the current economic environment, consumers are seeking the best computing value without sacrificing the performance required to maintain their digital lifestyle. With AMD Athlon II X2 245 and 240 processors, system builders and PC OEMs can better address the industry’s need to provide affordable, powerful and energy efficient desktop PCs that help consumers quickly and easily create, enjoy and share their digital world.

Who: The AMD Athlon II X2 245 and 240 processors are geared toward the growing segment of mainstream, value-conscious PC users seeking a full-featured product with advanced performance to enhance their computing capabilities at home and at play. Those looking for an enhanced digital experience and demanding extreme multitasking performance to help them do more in less time will find these processors help exceed their expectations.

Benefits: AMD Athlon II dual-core processors provide consumers the capability to efficiently multitask and easily create, render, transfer and share their multimedia content. When combined with ATI Radeon HD graphics technology and AMD chipsets, systems based on the AMD Athlon II X2 245 and 240 processors deliver a vivid visual experience, smooth multitasking and exceptional digital media performance with efficiency.

AMD Ships 500 Millionth x86 Processor

News — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:01:34 GMT

Just a day after AMD recorded a rather lackluster quarter, the company has found a reason to smile anyway. Today, the company shipped its 500 millionth x86 processor, which is absolutely a milestone to celebrate. In fact, the company just turned 40, so having this happen right around its 40th birthday is just icing on the cake.

Currently, Advanced Micro Devices is still playing second-fiddle to Intel in the mainstream market, but the company's on-time delivery of its Istanbul chips and the newfound surge provided by its Neo platform and new Athlon II processors gives us reason to believe that the tide is turning. AMD has been getting increasingly better about meeting shipping estimates, and if it can land a few significant OEM partnerships with Dell, HP, etc., we suspect the next 500 million will be here before you know it.

To reward the loyal customers who helped AMD reach this milestone,
the company is giving back to its fans by offering the chance to win
four HP Pavilion dv2z notebooks, based on AMD's pioneering platform for ultrathin notebooks. The details are as follows:
Follow AMD on Twitter (@AMD_Unprocessed), where a new question will be posted every other Monday beginning July 27.
Send AMD the answer via a direct message to AMD's twitter handle @AMD_Unprocessed.
All eligible respondents will be entered into a drawing for an HP dv2z Notebook.
AMD
will give away four AMD processor-based HP Pavilion dv2z notebooks over
eight weeks, so fans have ample opportunities to show off their
extensive knowledge about the company.
Full rules and details can be found at www.amd.com/40years.*

AMD Launches New HE and SE 6-Core Opterons

News — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:35:22 GMT

Last month, AMD was able to launch their first batch of 6-core Opteron processors, a few months ahead of the company's initial schedule. The processors are based on the core internally codenamed "Istanbul" and feature a native 6-core design manufactured using Global Foundries' advanced 45nm process technology.

This month, AMD is expanding their line of 6-core processors and announcing a handful of new Opterons in the 8000 and 2000 series, for 4 and 8 socket and 2 socket platforms, respectively.

AMD is announcing three AMD Opteron HE (8425, 2425, 2423) and three Opteron SE (8439, 2439) processors today, with clock speeds ranging from 2.0GHz to 2.8GHz. The 55W HE branded processors are targeted at low power environments, like large data centers that are power constrained, or at consumers that factor power budget as key purchasing component. The 105W SE branded processors, however, are for the more performance hungry buyer, or for very compute intensive applications where performance is key purchasing criteria.

Due to the additional two cores, these new 6-core processors offer up to 50% more performance than current quad-core offerings at similar frequencies, and AMD also points out that all of the processors offer the same feature set. There is a consistent feature set across all power bands--whether buying standard, HE or SE class processors--they will all have the same features, and will differ only in their performance and power.

The new Opteron HE and SE series processors have prices ranging from $455 for the 2.0GHz 2423 HE to $2,649 for the high-end 2.8GHz 8439 SE. The full price breakdown is available in the slide above.

AMD Phenom II TWKR Black Edition Processor

News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:44:02 GMT

Within the enthusiast scene, there exists an elite group of overclockers who push the limits of hardware to the breaking point. With the help of phase change coolers, dry ice, liquid nitrogen and even liquid helium, these enthusiasts achieve the seemingly impossible. In this world, maximum frequencies and world records are the motivation behind the countless hours spent modding and tweaking PC hardware.

AMD recognized the blood, sweat, and tears that extreme overclockers put into their hobby by creating a very special, limited edition processor made specifically for them. The Phenom II X4 TWKR Black Edition processor is a hand picked CPU that performs above and beyond the normal parameters we're accustomed to seeing from the Phenom II line. Under the extremely low temps supplied by LN2 or LHe cooling, these chips are said to yield monster overclocks. Check it out...

AMD Phenom II TWKR Black Edition Processor

Athlon II X2s Get Micro-code Update

News — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:19:44 GMT

A quick call with AMD has revealed that the company will soon be releasing a micro-code update for the fresh-out-of-the-gate Athlon II X2 series processor.

The processors, while sharing the microarchitecture of the Phenom II, have slightly altered dies which drop the L3 cache in favor of a bigger 1MB per core L2 cache – which AMD hints somewhat lowered the thermals and allowed them to market the faster processor. There was also an assurance from AMD – in not so many words – that other speed grades are to come (upwards,we’re guessing, as downwards wouldn’t be a feat of any greatness).

The current batch of Athlon II X2 250 processors are all affected by a bug, however.

The bug has been widely reported by tech sites worldwide and it affects how the processor clocks up after being in a C’n’Q power-saving mode.The Cool’n’Quiet feature won’t clock up the core that gets addressed with a new process (at least not immediately), resulting in some considerable performance impact. The solution until now has been keeping the C’n’Q feature turned off.

The bug doesn’t extend to the Phenom II family, and is in no way hardwired into the CPU, “it’s one of those things that just happen” said Antal Tungler, AMD Technical PR Manager in EMEA.

The micro-code update will be applied through partners' motherboard BIOS updates, as is the usual case, and will correct the situation without delay (everyone and their mother will be running benchmarks to attest to the difference).

Presented with the opportunity to weed out some additional info from AMD, we questioned Mr. Tungler about the so-called micro-code core-locking update that some sites have been reporting. He replied “there is no such thing” and that AMD’s official position on core-unlocking is: “there is no official position”.

AMD’s CEO talks Atom rival, Global Foundries

News — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:44:44 GMT

In a short interview to Digitimes, AMD CEO spoke a little about the company’s plan to counteract rival Intel’s Atom chip.

Revealing nothing but a vague date, Meyer said that the company will begin sampling to partners in the beginning of 2010, while not attempting to break into the Netbook form-factor.

Let’s read a little into this. In the ultraportable notebook segment, AMD already has the AMD Neo (single- and dual-core), which will do nicely when it comes to powering tiny notebooks, so where exactly does this Atom rival fit in?

Considering the ARM-based netbooks that were on display at Computex 2009, Meyer also mentioned that ARM architecture wouldn’t make it big in the netbook market due to lack of software support. Of course he probably hasn’t heard of Nokia’s Ubuntu-on-ARM project, Android, which should get there with a little optimisation and even Moblin for ARM.

Well, “Atom” of course covers not only netbooks – which AMD disregards as a dead-end segment – but also MIDs. Now, AMD eyeing the MID business would prove very interesting indeed. Are we in for an AMD MID-class device in 2010?

Possibly of equal interest, Meyer pointed out that, while Global Foundries is the company’s CPU manufacturing partner and they have a great relationship with TSMC, there are additional partnerships with Chartered Semi and UMC which the company will not overlook in the future.

AMD Ships 'Istanbul' Six-Core Opteron Server CPU

News — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:41:24 GMT

We aren't quite calling this the turnaround of the decade just yet, but with just six months to go until 2010, AMD is doing its best to make a late run for said crown. In years past, Advanced Micro Devices had become notorious for delaying products. Now, they're doing their best to right the ship by unveiling a product's availability some five months ahead of schedule. In CPU years, five months is an eternity.

The new six-core AMD Opteron (codenamed "Istanbul") is shipping out to customers today, and the chip should be available to consumers by the end of this month. Hailed as the world’s first six-core server processor with Direct Connect Architecture for two-, four- and eight-socket servers, this chip has up to 34 percent more performance-per-watt over the previous generation quad-core processors in the exact same platform. Over the next few weeks, systems will begin to creep out from Cray, Dell, HP, IBM and Sun Microsystems, and support from motherboard and infrastructure partners will follow suit. Also of note, HE, SE and EE versions of the Six-Core AMD Opteron processor are planned for the second half of 2009.

For those concerned about upgrade costs, chew on this: six-core AMD Opteron processors leverage existing platform infrastructure and a low-cost, power-efficient DDR2 memory architecture. Nice going, AMD -- let's hope this is the start of an all new way of doing business.

Phenom II X3 Triple to Quad-Core Mod Possible?

News — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:55:24 GMT

There are some rumors circulating this morning that it is possible to enable the fourth hidden / disabled core in a triple-core Phenom II X3, by simply enabling Advanced Clock Calibration (ACC) in the system BIOS on motherboards outfitted with SB750 southbridges and AMI BIOS derivatives.

So far, a couple of stories have surfaced that claim to have unlocked the fourth core in a triple core processor using ASRock M3A790GXH/128M and Biostar TA790GX motherboards. And in their testing, the processors simply worked just like a quad-core.

Although we do not have either of the ASRock or Biostar motherboards used in the reports in house at the moment, we tried to replicate their success with an Asus M4A79T Deluxe motherboard, which also sports and AMI BIOS and an SB750 southbridge.

AMD Phenom II X3 720 Tri-Core Vital Signs

Regardless of the ACC setting used in the BIOS, however, we could not enable the fourth core on our Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition. Sorry.

If these rumors do turn out to be true, and the fourth core in a tri-core Phenom II X3 can be enabled via a BIOS setting, we expect a rash of user modified BIOS files to hit the web post haste that enable the necessary functionality, even it motherboard manufacturers patch their existing BIOS files to prevent core unlocking (if it is in fact possible). But be aware, depending on AMD's binning process, enabling the fourth core may not be possible with all Phenom II processors. It's likely that some X3 processors will be perfectly functional X4s that simply have a core disabled, but it's also possible that the majority of Phenom II X3 processors have a defective or marginal fourth core that was disabled for a reason.

We hope to have more information as this story unfolds. We have reached out to AMD to see if they have an official statement on the matter but have yet to hear back. We'll update this post as necessary with new information as it comes in.

AMD Plans 12-/16-Core CPUs For 2011

News — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:07:49 GMT

History has shown that Advanced Micro Devices doesn't have the greatest track record for delivering chips as promised (at least right on schedule), but the company's looking to make a change for the better starting with its highly anticipated six-core Istanbul. Said CPU, which falls in the Opteron family, promises to provide up to 30 percent more performance within the same power envelope and on the same platform as current Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors, and while we've already seen it demonstrated and slated for a 2H 2009 launch, AMD's bringing cautious smiles out everywhere with its latest update.

As the company revamps and refreshes its processor roadmap, consumers are now being told that Istanbul will be shipping in June, which is not even two full months from now. There's no word on what hastened the shipment schedule, but so long as no corners were cut to get it rushed out, we won't prod for answers.

In related news, the company also made it known that it plans to ship the Opteron 6000 series for 2P and 4P servers that are designed to address the highly virtualized, high performance computing and database markets next year. Crazier still, the 'Interlagos' 12- and 16-core processor, based on the 'Bulldozer' core and manufactured on 32nm process technology, is planned to ship in 2011 and will also be supported by the 'Maranello' platform. No need to question your sanity -- you really just read that AMD is planning a 12- and 16-core CPU to ship in two years. The rest of the highlights are posted below:

Months ahead of schedule, AMD plans to deliver the six-core AMD
Opteron processor code named “Istanbul” in June this year, with up to
30 percent more performance within the same power envelope and on the
same platform as current Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors.ⁱ
AMD unveiled Direct Connect Architecture 2.0, the next stage of
server processor innovation: up to 12 cores initially, with superior
memory and I/O capability, near native virtualization performance, and
a range of full-featured power bands that continue to place a priority
on low power consumption.
AMD believes a customer value shift is currently underway,
transforming the server market, with the high end moving toward
performance and expandability and virtualization driving a need for
more cores and greater scalability. At the lower end, AMD sees power
management and overall value as primary drivers for cloud computing and
ultra-dense environments that demand greater energy efficiency.
In 2010, AMD plans to ship the AMD Opteron 6000 series for 2P and
4P servers that are designed to address the highly virtualized, high
performance computing and database markets. The 6000 series will debut
on the G34 socket and the “Maranello” platform, with the 8- and 12-core
“Magny-Cours” processors.
The upcoming AMD Opteron 4000 series is also planned for
introduction in 2010 for 1P and 2P servers and designed to address
virtualized Web and cloud computing environments. The 4000 series will
launch with the C32 socket and “San Marino” platform with the 4- and
6-core “Lisbon” processor.
The “Interlagos” 12- and
16-core processor, based on the “Bulldozer” core and manufactured on
32nm process technology, is planned to ship in 2011 and will also be
supported by the “Maranello” platform. The 6- to 8-core “Valencia”
processor, also manufactured on 32nm process technology, is planned for
shipment in 2011 on the “San Marino” platform.

“Over the past six years, AMD has transformed
the x86 server industry to what it is today with the AMD Opteron
processor, delivering exceptional performance per watt gains along the
way. And in 2010 and 2011, AMD plans to deliver to its customers
unprecedented back-to-back performance gains that remain true to our
commitment on power efficiency. We’re currently working on new
processors which we expect will deliver more than 35 times the
performance of the original single-core AMD Opteron processor released
in 2003,” said Patrick Patla, vice president and general manager,
Server/Workstation Business, AMD. “With our wide range of available
power bands and performance capabilities, AMD is delivering full
featured, maximum value at every price point today, and plans to
continue to do so well into the future.”

AMD Athlon II and Phenom II X2 Processors Debut

News — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:32:32 GMT

AMD is using the prominence of the Computex show in Taipei to unveil a slew of new, affordable desktop processors. A few of them are based on the existing core employed within their Phenom II processor line-up, but one of them is comprised of a new piece of silicon that pays homage to the once mighty Athlon brand.

We've got four new AMD processors on tap for this article, low power quad- and triple-cores, and a pair of new dual-cores. The 3.1GHz AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition is positioned as AMD's fastest dual-core processor ever, while the Phenom II X3 705e is a low-power triple-core CPU. The Phenom II X4 905e is a low-power 65w quad-core, and the brand new Athlon II X2 250 is AMD's latest high-performance, budget-class dual-core processor.

All of these processors share some similarities, of course, but each one is positioned for a somewhat different market segment.

AMD Athlon II and Phenom II X2 Processors Debut

HP DV5 1002AU AMD overheating!!

kksonakiya — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:36:56 GMT

I've got HP pavillion entertainment 1002au with AMD Turion 64X2 R70. It overheats too much. I work on table and the fan is not blocked by dust or anything. Are my worries futile or there is really some problem with this processor or AMD's processors are bound to overheat? Please tell me if there is anything that I can do.

AMD Phenom II Hardcore Overclocking Event

News — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:09:49 GMT

Located in the heart of Texas, the city of Austin is known for many things. Nicknamed Silicon Hills, the state capital accommodates an army of tech companies including the one and only Advanced Micro Devices, better known as AMD. From May 20th to the 22nd, AMD brought in some of the biggest names in the extreme overclocking scene with the goal of breaking world records. Armed with AMD's latest Black Edition processor, the Phenom II X4 955, a steady flow of liquid nitrogen (LN2), and several vats of liquid helium (LHe), the stage was set for one of the most impressive overclocking exhibitions of recent memory...

AMD Phenom II Hardcore Overclocking Event

AMD Primed To Make A Move In Processor Market

News — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:04:45 GMT

After years of turmoil, Advanced Micro Devices is finally taking a breather. A brief one, but a breather nonetheless. With the tables turning somewhat, AMD has recently seen Intel admitting to chip delays and staring at an imposing $1.45 billion fine from the EU over anti-competitive practices against it. That, combined with the recent divestiture of its manufacturing business, it giving the 40-year old chip maker a new lease on life, or at least a new attitude.

The company's chief executive, Dirk Meyer, recently opened up in an interview over at The New York Times, noting that "things feel very different now than they did a year ago." By spinning off its manufacturing business (which is now handled by GlobalFoundries), the company finally has "a business model that works now." In essence, the shedding of that has enabled it to focus more on its core business: design. In around a month, the company is expect to ship a product that's being code-named Istanbul, and while it's not apt to have the same sweeping success as the groundbreaking Opteron, just shipping a product on schedule will go a long way in proving that AMD has righted the ship somewhat.

Dirk continued by proclaiming: "From my perspective, I think AMD has a much clearer opportunity and business case now than we had even five years ago. One of the challenges we have always had has been the financial model of the company being a manufacturer. It was really a challenge. I feel that AMD, the product company, has a business model that works now. Another potential for change is the opportunity that I think we will have if the market is really open to competition in a way that frankly it hasn’t been. It is hard for folks outside of the industry to understand the degree to which customers haven’t been free to choose in the past."

Potentially most interesting was his take on the future. To quote: "I think we are going to see a lot more innovation and maybe even disruptive change around computing over the next few years. The PC industry is clearly more interesting than it was 10 years ago." Obviously, we can't read too far between the lines, but that sure sounds a lot like the vibes emitted over at NVIDIA, which is trying desperately to snatch away market share from Intel as the GPU and CPU converge. Quite frankly, this is an exciting time for AMD. It has freed itself from the burdens of manufacturing, the CPU and GPU are coming together for the first time ever, and Intel is shaken by a staggering antitrust lawsuit. Could we finally see AMD gain any serious ground against its competition? Don't let the opportunity pass you up, AMD.

New 3dMark06 Record set on ASUS' M4A79T Deluxe

amdcrankitup — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:41:18 GMT

I found this article dont know if it ever been posted before but amazing record!

New 3dMark06 Record set on ASUS' M4A79T Deluxe

Overclocker KingPin hits 36007

Harper Woods, MI April 7th, 2009

"The ASUS M4A79T Deluxe has very robust overclocking features and easy to use bios." Said K|NGP|N. "...I recommend this broad to anyone looking to get the highest overclock out of their AMD Phenom II processors."
– Enthusiast overclocker K|NGP|N posted a record-setting score of 36007 3DMarks on Futremark’s ORB. Central to achieving this score was an ASUS M4A79T Deluxe motherboard, which overclocked an AM3 processor to over 6Ghz. K|NGP|N’s new record passes Team Finland’s previous 3dMark06 record set in February, whom also used the M4A79T Deluxe. http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=10581097

LINK:

http://usa.asus.com/news_show.aspx?id=15454

Hardcore Phenom II Overclocking--6.2GHz Anyone?

News — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:41:45 GMT

Earlier today, Gigabyte sent us a link to a video featuring some hardcore overclocking that we thought many of you would like to see. In the video, Chew*, a member of the XtremeSystems community, overclocks an AMD Phenom II X4 955 processor on GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P and GA-MA790FX-UD5P motherboards, and shows his results using air, phase change, dry ice, and liquid nitrogen cooling.

[view:http://www.youtube.com/v/O2OtUYeZEME&hl=en&fs=1]

When all was said and done, Chew* was able to break 3DMark06 records for dual Radeon HD 4850s and 4890s running in CrossFire mode and achieved stability at processor speeds in the 5.7 - 6.2GHz range.