Intel officially launched today its Core 2 Duo desktop lineup (Conroe). The five initial models are: E6300 (1.86 GHz), E6400 (2.13 GHz), E6600 (2.4 GHz), E6700 (2.66 GHz) and the Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2.93 GHz). The first two have 2 MB of shared L2 cache while the others feature 4 MB. All chips use 1,066 frontside bus and consume 65 W, except the X6800, rated at 75 W. The 65-nanometer processors support Virtualization Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep, EM64T and Execute Disable. Prices range from USD 183 (E6300) to USD 999 (X6800) in 1,000-unit quantities. Intel also announced five Core 2 Duo for notebooks (Merom): the dual-core T7200 (2 GHz), T7400 (2.16 GHz) and T7600 (2.33 GHz), with 4 MB of L2, and the single-core T5500 (1.66 GHz) and T5600 (1.83 GHz), with 2 MB of L2. All five sport a 667 MHz FSB.
The long-rumored acquisition of ATI by AMD is now official. The giant chipmaker today announced a deal to acquire all of the GPU/chipset specialist’s outstanding shares for USD 4.2 billion in cash and 57 million shares of AMD common stock (totalling about USD 5.4 billion). The transaction, which completely reshapes the CPU, GPU and chipset markets, is expected to close in the fourth quarter pending shareholder and regulatory approval.
Intel today officially announced its Itanium 2 9000 series formerly known as Montecito. The initial models are as follows: 9010 (1.6 GHz, 533 MHz FSB and 6 MB of L3 cache), 9015 (1.4 GHz, 400 MHz and 12 MB), 9020 (1.42 GHz, 533 MHz and 12 MB), 9030 (1.6 GHz, 533 MHz and 8 MB), 9040 (1.6 GHz, 533 MHz and 18 MB) and 9050 (1.6 GHz, 533 MHz and 24 MB). All processors are made on a 90-nm process and feature Virtualization (VT) and Cache Safe (CST) technologies. Power consumption is rated at 104 W, except for the 9010 (75 W), which is a single-core CPU lacking Hyper-Threading capability.
Intel has quietly added two models to its Core Duo (Yonah) lineup. The new top of the line T2700 is clocked at 2.33 GHz and features 2 MB of L2 cache and 667 MHz frontside bus. Power consumption is rated at 31 W. The U2500 is an ultra low voltage part clocked at 1.2 GHz with 2 MB of L2 and 533 MHz FSB. It has a 9 W TDP. The chips cost USD 637 and USD 289, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities.
As expected, Intel today launched the Xeon DP 5100 series, based on its Core architecture. The six initial models (5110, 5120, 5130, 5140, 5150 e 5160) range from 1.6 GHz to 3 GHz and feature 4 MB of shared L2 cache. The 5110 and 5120 use a 1,066 MHz frontside bus while the others use a 1,333 MHz FSB. Power consumption is rated at 65 W for all models, except the 5160, which has an 80 W TDP. Intel plans to ship a 2.33 GHz low voltage part with 40 W TDP in the third quarter (Xeon DP 5148). The dual-core chips, fabbed at 65-nanometer, are drop-in compatible with the socket 771 Bensley platform. Prices vary from USD 208 to USD 851 in 1,000-unit quantities.
According to the Tech Report, AMD has confirmed the cancellation of Athlon 64 X2 chips equipped with 2 MB of L2 cache (1 MB per core). These include models 4800+, 4400+ (both AM2 and 939) and 4000+ (AM2). AMD’s explanation is that the cuts are meant to consolidate its lineup, which greatly expanded recently, with the introduction of socket AM2 and the new Energy Efficient versions. With the changes, the X2 series will be reduced to models 3800+, 4200+, 4600+ and 5000+ (with 1 MB of L2). The bigger cache will still be available in the Athlon 64 FX-60 (939) and FX-62 (AM2).
Japanese companies Fujitsu, NEC, Renesas and Toshiba have announced an agreement to develop a standard process to manufacture advanced chips with 45-nanometer technology. The deal will make mutual access to intelectual property and libraries easier. The partners also foresees the possibility of integration of their fabs in the future. In related news, Toshiba, Renesas and Hitachi said they will not go on with a plan to establish a joint semiconductor foundry, citing concerns over profitability.
AMD announced at its Technology Analyst Day plans for a enthusiast platform based on dual-core processors and dual-socket motherboards. In 2007, when AMD releases its quad-core chip, the “4x4” will support a total of eight cores. The platform will use the recently launched AM2 socket. Through Direct Connect tech it will allow each core to access the other ones as well as directly communicate with system memory.
AMD today officially launched its answer to Intel’s Viiv digital entertainment platform. The LIVE! specification requires an Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor and little else: features like eight-channel high-definition audio and TV tuner are optional. AMD strongly underscores a pack of services and software initially consisting of On Demand (streaming), Compress (recorded TV content optmizer), LogMeIn (remote access) and Media Vault (online back-up). LIVE! is supported by a variety of OEMs, system builders and technology providers.
AMD’s Web site seems to confirm that the recently launched Athlon 64 FX-62 (2.8 GHz, 1 MB of L2 per core) and Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.6 GHz, 512 KB) will be available in socket 939 versions. The company’s “Processor Pricing” page lists the parts as “socket AM2 and 939”. If the information is correct, it means that users willing to upgrade to the top of the line chips will not need to change motherboards and memory (to DDR2), besides the CPU. The FX-62 costs USD 1,031, while the X2 5000+ sells for USD 696, both in 1,000-unit quantities.
Intel this week quietly introduced four dual-core Xeon DP processors based on Dempsey architecture: 5050 (3 GHz), 5060 (3.2 GHz), 5063 (3.2 GHz) and 5080 (3.73 GHz). The 65-nm socket 771 chips run on a 1,066 MHz frontside bus, feature 4 MB of cache and dissipates 130 W (except the 95 W 5063). HyperThreading and Virtualization technologies are supported. The new Xeon DP should be eclipsed by the soon to be released Woodcrest chips based on Core architecture.
AMD today launched two high-performance processors to highlight the official release of its AM2 platform. The Athlon 64 FX-62 is clocked at 2.8 GHz, features 1 MB of L2 per core and consumes 125 W, while the Athlon 64 X2 5000+ runs at 2.6 GHz, with 512 KB of L2 and 89 W thermal envelope. AMD also introduced an AM2 Athlon 64 X2 4000+ (2 GHz, 1 MB per core and 65 or 89 W). A bunch of existing chips will likewise be available with the new socket. The AM2 platform brings DDR2 support, virtualization and reduced power consumption. Prices for the FX-62, 5000+ and 4000+ are USD 1,031, USD 696 and USD 328, in 1,000-unit quantities.
After years of rumors, Dell has finally decided to adopt AMD chips, beginning with Opteron multiprocessor servers. The machines are set to hit the market by the end of the year. Dell did not disclose plans to use AMD chips in desktops or notebooks. The timing of the move is somewhat odd since Intel is about to unveil its new Woodcrest processor, based on the Core architecture, which is largely expected to restore competitiveness on the server front.
AMD today launched its first dual-core mobile chips. The socket S1 Turion 64 X2s are available in four versions: TL-50 (1.6 GHz), TL-52 (1.6 GHz), TL-56 (1.89 GHz) and TL-60 (2 GHz). The first one sports 256 KB of L2 cache per core and the others have 512 KB. The new processors are the first AMD ones supporting DDR2 memory (up to 667 MHz). Power consumption goes from 31 W (TL-50 and TL-52) to 35 W (TL-60). The chips are priced at USD 184, USD 220, USD 263 and USD 354, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities.
AMD this week announced, at the Spring Processor Forum, its initial lineup of energy efficient processors based on the AM2 platform. The so-called EE products should arrive this month around the same time of the non-EE ones. Official power consumption range from 35 W, on small form factor chips, to 65 W, but the company said that users could experience levels as low as 14 W “when running typical workloads” on an energy efficient dual-core processor. Prices vary from USD 101 (small form factor Sempron 3000+) to USD 671 (Athlon 64 X2 4800+). The energy efficient chips are expected to cost USD 10 to USD 30 more than their non-EE counterparts.
