Intel has released its first ever server platform based on dual-core processors. The Pentium D is paired with the new E7230 chipset, previously known as Mukilteo, supporting 64-bit OSes, 1.066 MHz FSB, up to 8 GB of DDR2-667 memory, PCI Express interface and Serial ATA RAID. The Pentium D platform is aimed at entry-level servers. Dual-core Itaniums will ship later this year, while dual-core Xeons are not expected before 2006.
Apple has reportedly added two new items to its PowerPC 970 series. The first is a low power 970FX available in three core frequencies: 1.2 GHz, 1.4 GHz and 1.6 GHz. Consumption is said to range between 13 W and 16 W. The other product is a dual core 970MP processor featuring two 1 MB L2 caches and working at clocks varying from 1.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz. These new chips will probably be featured inside the last PowerPC-based Macs.
AMD has begun shipping 64-bit enabled Sempron processors. The initial lineup consists of five models: 2600+, 2800+, 3000+, 3100+ and 3300+. Clock speeds and other specs are identical to those on standard 754-pin Semprons, while prices are around 5% higher. The 64-bit 2600+ sells for USD 74 and the 3300+ is priced at USD 140 in 1,000-unit quantities.
AMD was allowed by a U.S. district court to ask 30 companies to keep documents and emails that might be useful in its antitrust suit against Intel. A handful of them, including Acer, Best Buy, Gateway, Circuit City and Sony have agreed to comply. Toshiba, on the other hand, refused to talk to AMD’s lawyers. Prominent executives, such as Michael Dell and ex-HP Carly Fiorina, were also asked to retain documents, but as of now have yet to give an answer.
AMD has filed an antitrust suit against Intel, in a US federal district court, accusing the latter of forcing major customers into exclusive deals. “The 48-page complaint explains how Intel has unlawfully maintained its monopoly in the x86 microprocessor market by engaging in worldwide coercion of customers from dealing with AMD”, the plaintiff says. AMD cites Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Gateway, NEC, HP, IBM and Supermicro, as well as distributors and retailers, as being forced to keep away from its products.
Intel officially launched a series of Celeron D processors sporting 64-bit capability (EMT64). There are six models available – 326, 331, 336, 341, 346 and 351 – with clocks varying from 2.53 GHz to 3.2 GHz and 533 MHz FSB. The socket 775 chips, produced at 90 nm, are equipped with 256 KB of L2 cache and also support the Execute Disable Bit (EDB). Prices ranges from USD 73 to USD 127 in 1,000-unit quantities.
As expected, AMD launched today its Athlon 64 FX-57, a processor aimed at gamers and publicly promoted for its overclocking capabilities. The first FX product fabbed at 90 nm brings new features such as support for DDR533 memory and SSE3 instructions. The socket 939 FX-57 is clocked at 2.8 GHz and integrates 1 MB of L2 cache. AMD stressed that, despite its willingness to assure safer overclocking, the practice still voids warranty. The FX-57 is priced at USD 1,031.
AMD added a new product to its Turion mobile family. The ML-40 is clocked at 2.2 GHz and integrates 1 MB of L2 cache. Like previous models, it features technologies such as Enhanced Virus Protection (EVP) and energy saving PowerNow! The Turion chips, which try to compete with Intel’s Centrino platform, are slowly gaining momentum. This week, both HP and Acer announced new notebooks based on the family. The ML-40 is priced at USD 525 in 1,000-unit quantities.
Clearspeed will demonstrate during the International Supercomputer Conference (ISC2005), in Heidelberg, Germany, its CSX600 co-processor PCI-X add-in card. It promises to add a floating point performance of 50 Gflops to any PC through two chips integrated in the same board. Performance benefits are limited to floating point operations typical of scientific applications. The CSX600 has 96 Processing Elements (PEs), 128 KB of on-chip scratchpad SRAM, DDR2 DRAM interface and I/O, all interconnected by the ClearConnect on-chip network.
Intel started to ship its anticipated 500 series Pentium 4 processors with 64-bit support. Other than EM64T, the new chips are identical to the older ones, featuring 800 MHz FSB, 1 MB of L2 cache, socket 775 and 90 nm production process. The list consists of the 521 (2.8 GHz), 531 (3 GHz), 541 (3.2 GHz), 551 (3.4 GHz), 561 (3.6 GHz) and 571 (3.8 GHz). Prices in 1,000-unit quantities are, respectively, USD 163, USD 178, USD 218, USD 278, USD 417 and USD 637. Intel also added a 670 model – with 2 MB of L2 – clocked at 3.8 GHz (USD 851).
Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs confirmed today, at the company’s Worldwide Developer Conference, that it will shift its Macintosh line of computers from IBM’s PowerPC to Intel processors. First products will appear in June 2006 and transition should be completed by the end of 2007. Apple previewed a version of its Mac OS X running on an Intel-based Mac during Jobs’ keynote address. The CEO attributed the shift to past problems and limitations on PowerPC’s future performance. A Developer Transition Kit, which will allow developers to prepare versions of their applications running both on PowerPC and Intel chips, is immediatelly available, priced at USD 999.
Transmeta has agreed to sell its Crusoe line of processors to Hong Kong based Culturecom Technology for USD 15 million. The deal also involves the licensing of 130-nanometer Efficeon technology. Production of both chips had already been ceased by Transmeta as the company decided to focus on its newer 90 nm Efficeon. Culturecom will pay royalties over sales of Crusoe and Efficeon products. If approved by American authorities, the transaction is expected to close by December.
AMD has formally launched its dual-core Athlon 64 X2 processors today at Computex. The top of the line is the 4800+, clocked at 2.4 GHz and featuring 1 MB of L2 cache in each core. The family is completed by three other models: 4600+ (2.4 GHz, 2 x 512 KB), 4400+ (2.2 GHz, 2 x 1 MB) and 4200+ (2.2 GHz, 2 x 512 KB). Suggested prices are USD 1,001, USD 803, USD 581 and USD 537, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. The chips are compatible with existing socket 939 motherboards through a BIOS update.
VIA expects to start shipping its new C7 processor based on the Esther core until the end of this quarter. The chip needs 20 W to run at full clock speed (2 GHz), but falls to 0.1 W when idle. Pitched at thin ‘n light notebooks, mobile devices and personal electronics, the 90-nanometer C7 has an 800 MHz FSB, 128 KB of L1 cache and another 128 KB of L2. It also supports SSE2 and SSE3 instructions and a series of new security features as well as NX bit.
Intel has officially introduced its new Pentium D family of mainstream dual-core processors. The first models are the 820 (2.8 GHz), 830 (3 GHz) and 840 (3.2 GHz). The socket 775 chips have 1 MB of L2 cache per core and support 800 MHz FSB. Unlike the Pentium Extreme Edition 840, launched a month ago, they don’t support Hyper-Threading. The new Pentium D chips require i945P, i945G (featuring GMA 950 on-board graphics) or i955X motherboards. The processors are priced at USD 241, USD 316 and USD 530 in 1,000-unit quantities.
