Graphics cards News

AMD plots 16-core super-CPU for 2009
"Bulldozer" to be "highest performing processor core" ever
is preparing an all-new PC processor with up to 16 execution cores. Due out in the first half of 2009, the new architecture is codenamed Bulldozer. In an official announcement, AMD said Bulldozer will be its first substantially new CPU core since the original Athlon 64 processor of 2003. And it'll be the first ground up architectural redesign since the K7 Athlon of 1999.
In that context, it's likely the Bulldozer architecture will provide the foundations of AMD CPUs for many years to come. In other words, the architecture is rather important. The news is the latest in a flurry of announcements from AMD's PR machine in the past week. AMD has already revealed plans for a second-gen quad-core processor known as Shanghai and demoed its upcoming Phenom quad-core desktop chip running at 3GHz.
Meanwhile, the world is still waiting for Barcelona, AMD's first generation quad-core CPU , to appear. AMD has promised that Barcelona will launch later this August.
Bulldozer is the name, crushing Intel is the game
But what about Bulldozer? The big news is that it will form the basis of AMD's first massively multi-core PC processor with up to 16 execution cores. Bulldozer will also be fully compatible with AMD's so-called M-SPACE modular CPU design.
Along with traditional PC processors, therefore, expect to see AMD Fusion CPUs powered by Bulldozer cores but also offering a range of specialised processing units. Think graphics processing cores and high-definition video decoding engines and you'll get an idea of the sort of additional functionality Bulldozer-based Fusion processors will deliver.
As for the main execution cores themselves, they retain the same basic out-of-order superscalar design as AMD's existing PC processors. However, Bulldozer will utilise a deeper instruction pipeline. That's a measure traditionally introduced to allow higher clockspeeds. However, deeper pipelines typically also reduce clock-for-clock performance.
Bulldozer also receives a range of new instructions designed to accelerate media processing and performance in high performance computer clusters. With as many as 16 cores humming away, keeping Barcelona fed with data will obviously be a tough task. In response, AMD says the chip will benefit from "highly scalable memory and I/O performance".
Specifically, that means a new version of AMD's Direct Connect technology along with four HyperTransport 3.0 links per processor. Support for ultra fast DDR3 memory as well as AMD's G3MX memory extender technology will further boost the data and bandwidth available to Bulldozer. AMD's G3MX technology is designed to allow increased system memory without resorting to Intel 's power-hungry FBDIMM approach.
How fast is she, mister?
It all sounds pretty impressive on paper. But how fast will this 16-core chip be in practice? Well, according to AMD, Bulldozer is designed to be nothing less than "the highest performing single and multi-threaded compute core in history".
If AMD is to be believed, Bulldozer will improve upon every metric of CPU performance. From performance per watt to outright multi-threaded performance and old school single-threaded oomph, it's promised Bulldozer will be the new king.
Of course, by 2009 Intel will be shipping some fairly exotic kit of its own. A major revision of Intel's Core architecture, complete with an integrated memory controller and HyperTransport-bashing Common Serial Interface, is pencilled in for 2008 with a further revised variant in 2009.
What's more, with that longer instruction pipeline in mind, it will be interesting to see how Bulldozer pulls off improved single-threaded performance. Rumours are currently circulating that Bulldozer may be capable of thread-fusing or using multiple cores to compute a single thread. Thread fusing is one of the holy grails of PC processing. If Bulldozer is indeed capable of such a feat, the future could be very bright indeed for AMD.

AMD Athlon II X2 Processor Details

• The AMD Athlon II X2 250 performs exceptionally well when combined with AMD chipsets and integrated graphics solutions to create an all-AMD platform. Platforms featuring all-AMD technology can deliver up to twice the graphics performance of those with Intel integrated graphics.¹
• Windows® 7 is optimized for multi-core processors like AMD Athlon™ II processors to give consumers an amazingly fast, simple and engaging PC experience.** For example, Windows 7 is tuned to make the most of these new processors’ power management features, such as AMD PowerNow!™ 3.0 technology. AMD power management technologies, in combination with Windows 7, can help OEMs and partners to build exceptionally green, cool and quiet PCs.
• Based on AMD’s acclaimed 45nm process technology, the AMD Athlon II dual-core processor has a TDP of 65W and can slash power consumption by up to 50 percent when doing basic tasks, up to 40 percent when running heavy workloads and up to 50 percent when at idle.²

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Details
• AMD Black Edition processors, like the AMD Phenom™ II X2 550, help users to take control and unleash the maximum potential of Dragon platform technology’s unprecedented performance tuning capabilities.* The same massive headroom that set world records in recent months is at users’ finger tips, offering impressive performance at a price the competition can’t beat.³
• Users can also maximize their overclocking experience by utilizing the new features and capabilities of AMD OverDrive™ 3.0, designed to enable quick and effective tuning of their PC experience for optimal performance.*
• With dual-, triple- or quad-core processors, AMD provides platform level solutions at multiple price points, each of which exceeds expectations for virtually any user.

AMD Introduces Next Generation AMD Athlon™ II Processor, Adds Dual Core to Record-Setting AMD Phenom™ II

AMD Athlon™ II processor delivers new native dual-core architecture, efficient 45nm technology and 3 GHz performance at an affordable price
AMD Phenom™ II X2 Black Edition processor combines value and unlocked potential for gamers and tuners on a budget

COMPUTEX 2009 (TAIPEI, Taiwan) --6/2/2009 Bringing its acclaimed 45nm technology to new high-volume processor designs, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced two new dual-core desktop processors. Building on 10 years of AMD Athlon™ processor innovation, the new 45nm AMD Athlon™ II X2 250 processor gives mainstream consumers exceptional performance, efficiency and value. For enthusiasts and overclockers, AMD also announces the AMD Phenom™ II X2 550 Black Edition processor, the first ever dual-core AMD Phenom II CPU.* With this latest addition to the AMD Phenom II processor family, users can now experience the power of AMD platform technology, codenamed “Dragon,” with dual-, triple- and quad-core configurations.

AMD Phenom FX CPU Expected in 2009

Looking to put pressure on Intel once again in the high-end market, sources say AMD plans on releasing the AMD Phenom FX in mid-2009 on its new AM3 socket platform. AMD previously acknowledged that AM3 processors will work in AM2 sockets but not the reverse.
AMD is attempting to bring back their FX-line of processors in mid-2009 according to documents Tom’s Hardware saw. Although little is known about the specifications of these processors, we do know they will be based on the Deneb FX core, feature four processing engines, have shared level-three cache and be based on a 45 nm manufacturing process.
The FX-branding used by AMD in the past had represented products of unmatched performance for enthusiasts who were willing to spend a hefty premium to have the extra performance. The Athlon FX line-up was the last to use processors with the FX-branding and were in production from 2003 to 2006. The Athlon FX processors featured unlocked multipliers and offered the highest clockings of the AMD processors available.
With the great success of Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors in 2006, AMD lost the performance crown it once had held and was forced to focus on mid and entry-level offerings instead, ending production of the Althon FX. AMD continued to offer processors that featured unlocked processors with its Black Edition line-up of Athlon and Phenom processors, which were offered at a fair price for those looking for an overclockable processor and still loyal to AMD. Much the same as AMD’s FX processors, Intel’s Extreme Edition processors offer high clock rates and unlocked multipliers, with similarly high prices.
If history serves us well, these upcoming FX processors will likely carry the name AMD Phenom FX, carry with them a steep price and offer clock-speeds higher than their future mainstream brethren. Future AMD processors produced using 45nm process technology are expected to reach 3.0GHz in speed, possibly putting the AMD Phenom FX processors at over 3GHz.

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors leave Barcelona

AMD has released its long-awaited native quad-core processor, previously codenamed "Barcelona".
Describing the new Quad-Core AMD Opteron as the "world's most advanced x86 processor", AMD claims it as the first native x86 quad-core microprocessor, meaning the four processing cores share a single die of silicon.
The company also highlights other aspects of the 55- and 75-watt server chips. It claims gains for energy efficiency, a 50 percent increase in integer and floating-point performance, and improved virtualisation support. Note that the server chips also share the same power and thermal envelopes as their dual-core predecessors.
"Today marks one of the great milestones in microprocessor achievement as AMD again raises expectations for industry-standard computing," said AMD chairman and chief executive officer, Hector Ruiz. "We've worked closely with our customers and partners to design a new generation of processing solutions embodied by today's Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor - a four-way winner in performance, energy efficiency, virtualisation and investment protection. Early customer response has been extremely positive."
leshing out the details on the energy efficiency claims, AMD highlights the use of proprietary "CoolCore Technology" (turning off unused parts of the processor) an independent core-specific enhancement to its PowerNow! Technology (allowing cores to vary their clock frequency depending on application requirements) and Dual Dynamic Power Management (DDPM), which allows the cores and memory controllers to operate on different voltages, again determined by usage.
Sun, HP, IBM and Dell will be among those shipping systems based on the new server chip will be shipping. Details of AMD's pricing for the Quad-Core Opteron will be found at www.amd.com/pricing (based on 1,000 unit orders).
More information on AMD's quad-core processing can be found on the company's website.
For its part, Intel released updated quad-core server microprocessors last week - the Quad-Core Xeon 7300 series, its first multi-processor (MP) chips based on its now standard Core micro-architecture.
See also: Electronics Weekly's focus on microprocessors, a roundup of content related to microprocessor technologies and developments.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Review

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor is the top of the line for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 line of CPU's. At 125 watts of power this processor begs for some good cooling and a very steady hand when it comes to overclocking. But I won't be overclocking this beast, it would be a shame to mess with something
this good straight from the box.

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor is a 3 Ghz processor that rivals the Intel E6600 CPU and clearly is the best of the AMD AM2 sockets at this time. The 6000+ processor is built with the L2 cache at 1 MB per core that gives you plenty of internal memory for the processor.

I'd like to thank AMD for letting me review this great processor, now on to the review.

AMD as well as plenty of other reviews give all this kind of information that I guess I will include for the real tech guys who are reading:

Frequency: 3.0GHz

Manufactured: Fab 30 and 36 / Dresden, Germany
Process Technology: 90-nanometer DSL SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology
Packaging: Socket AM2 (940-pin organic micro PGA)
HyperTransport technology: Supports single HT link - up to 8.0 GB/sec per link bandwidth
Memory Controller: Shared integrated 128-bit wide memory controller
CPU to Memory Controller: 3.0GHz
Supported Memory Speeds: DDR 2 memory up to and including PC2 6400 (DDR2-800) unbuffered
HyperTransport Links: 1
HyperTransport Spec: 2.0GHz (2x 1000MHz / DDR)
Total Processor bandwidth: Up to 20.8 GB/sec [8.0GB/sec HyperTransport + 12.8GB/sec dual-channel memory]
L1 Cache Sizes: 64K - L1 instruction + 64K - L1 data cache per-core (256KB total L1)
L2 Cache Sizes: 1MB L2 data cache per-core (2MB total dedicated L2 cache)
Approximate Transistor count: 227.4 million
Approximate Die Size: 218mm2
Nominal Voltage: 1.35-1.40V
Max Thermal Power: 125 W
Max Ambient Case Temp: 55o Celsius to 63o Celsius
Max Icc (processor current): 90.4 A
Min P-State (with C'n'Q): 1.0 GHz
o Nominal Voltage @ min P-state: 1.1V
o Max Thermal Power @ min P-state: 36.4 W
o Max Icc @ min P-state: 30.4 A

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Review

Now that the required specifications are done with I will get to the meat of the matter, installing and use. The processor is easy to install and setup for the heat sink. You will have to take into consideration the heat requirements of this processor if you're thinking of using one in your system.
The processor uses up to 125 watts of power so you need a decent cooling solution but it does not need to be the best out there for normal operation.

I do not and will not be overclocking the AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ in this review. The frame rates I received for testing and playing since I have had this processor are more than adequate and I just do not want to take the time for a few frame rates increase. I do not like to overclock components as the benefits do not equal the time spent when I have so much better things to do with my time.

I tried the stock fan and heat sink that came with my system for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ and found that running any games or CPU intensive programs would cause errors due to heat. The core would get up towards 70 degrees Celsius and would shut down. I also tried a lower model of CPU cooler from EverCool, the Shark, and it did much better than the stock heat sink. At some very intensive testing and benchmarking it does not keep the 6000+ as cool as I would like so I tried out the Buffalo from EverCool and it does very well. I have run the processor through its paces with both games and benchmark programs and the chip never gets over 60 degrees Celsius.

I would recommend a very good CPU cooler for this much power but you really don't have to buy the best on the market, just a good one. Installing the processor is easy and the coolers I used were also very easy to install. Just like any computer installation you need to learn what you're doing if you have never done this before but it is not that difficult to replace a CPU. If you don't know how to do this kind of upgrade it is not even as difficult as changing a video card as you do not have to install any drivers. You just swap out the processor and install the CPU cooler.

As long as you have the correct processor and know that your motherboard and system will handle the new processor you simply remove the CPU cooler, wipe off the old thermal compound and install the new one. You will need to put some thermal paste on that should come with your new CPU cooler. If not you can buy a tube for about ten dollars at a computer store or order some from the internet. The best brand out is Artic Silver 3 but you can use the more common thermal compound and just smear a small amount on the CPU.