AMD Rolls Out New Dual-Core Processors for Embedded Device Market

Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices has just announced the expansion of its processor portfolio with the introduction of two new, dual-core chips designed for the ASB1 BGA embedded client platform. Featuring a low TDP of just 18W, the new Turion Neo X2 model L625 and Athlon Neo X2 model L325 have been designed to provide PC-like performance in a smaller, lower-power package, like the embedded-friendly ball grid array (BGA) package.

“We are committed to helping simplify the development cycle for our embedded customers with a platform that readily addresses the shifting needs of their markets,” said Buddy Broeker, director, Embedded Computing Solutions Division, AMD. “Systems such as digital signage, point of sale, and thin clients require PC-class performance and a rich graphics experience. Our ASB1 BGA platform is a ready-to-go, one-stop solution for these markets and at the same time offers the flexibility of multiple CPU and chipset choices.”

The ASB1 BGA embedded client platform has been designed for single board computing and thin client systems, as well as for self-service kiosks, point of sale machines and digital signage. The newly introduced processors from AMD have been featured with a TDP of 18W and are rated at clock speeds of 1.6GHz for the Turion Neo X2 L625 and 1.5GHz for the Athlon Neo X2 L325. In addition, these two models are designed to be compatible the chip maker's 780E and M690E chipsets, providing for a complete x86-based solution.

“The rapid adoption of x86 processors in embedded designs, which is a trend that AMD helped spur in the high-end space, has largely been driven by the need to simplify designs and get them on the market more quickly,” said Eric Heikkila, director, Embedded Hardware and Systems analyst, VDC Research Group. “From the hardware perspective, AMD’s comprehensive platform approach offers mainstream performance, very low power consumption, and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the development process.”

According to the chip maker, its embedded products are offered with industry-standard 5-year component longevity.

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AMD Finally Rolls Out the 3.4GHz Phenom II X4 965 BE

Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices, the world's second largest vendor of computer processors, has announced today the launch of its latest desktop computer processor, part of the company's growing line of Phenom II CPUs. The highly anticipated Phenom II X4 965 is part of the chip maker's Black Edition series of high-performance processors, meaning that it has been designed as a choice for computer enthusiasts and gamers, providing them with an increased clock speed and the same features as the company's previous flagship model, the Phenom II X4 955.

The launch of the new CPU has been expected for some time now, as the model has been leaked on the Internet on several occasions, making an appearance in various AMD product roadmaps or other sources. As far as technical specifications go, the new CPU isn't very far from its previously released counterpart, the aforementioned Phenom II X4 955. However, users will be able to take advantage of an increased clock speed, factory-set at an impressive 3.4GHz, a 45nm-based quad-core architecture, 8MB of cache and a 2GHz HT Link.

As it's part of AMD's line of Black Edition processors, the new chip has been designed for computer enthusiasts, meaning that it can provide support for some overclocking, taking the CPU's core speed to increased frequencies. In addition, thanks to the more efficient 45nm manufacturing process, the new processor can deliver an impressive performance boost over the company's previous generation of high-end Phenom chips, but with lower power requirements.

AMD's latest Black Edition processor is compatible with both socket AM2+ and AM3 motherboards, providing users with a choice for an affordable upgrade of their AMD-based desktop system. As far as prices go, the new processor is expected to hit the retail channel for US$245.

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Six-Core 'Thuban' Desktop Processors Confirmed for 2010

Early this month, Advanced Micro Devices, the world's second largest vendor of computer processors and Intel's biggest rival, was rumored to be planning the expansion of its Phenom II lineup with the introduction of a new six-core processor that would be based on the chip maker's 'Istanbul' server chip. On that note, the company recently confirmed these plans, saying that said chip, which is currently codenamed 'Thuban', would be part of its enthusiast desktop lineup, due out sometime next year.

Thuban is expected to provide enthusiasts with a significant performance boost over the company's current generation of processors, featuring a quad-core architecture. However, the specific details on said processor are rather scarce, at this time. The chip is expected to provide compatibility with socket AM3/AM2+ platforms, boasting an integrated dual-channel DDR3 1333MHz memory controller. It's likely that it will be part of AMD's current Phenom II branding, but will be designed on the company's current Istanbul chips for servers.

“I can confirm that AMD is planning on introducing a six-core processor for our enthusiast desktop lineup next year. It will be a ‘Stars’ core supporting DDR3,” said Damon Muzny, a spokesman for AMD, according to a recent news-article on xbitlabs.

If the new Thuban processor is based on the Istanbul chips, AMD is likely to provide consumers with new processors that will boast a 45nm SOI fabrication process and integrate 3MB of L2 cache (512KB per core) with 6MB of L3 cache. Processor speed could be lower than the chip maker's current line of quad-core chips, which is the case in the company's current lineup of Opteron server processors.

Although there's no detailed time frame for the arrival of AMD's first six-core processors, the company is likely to compete with Intel in the new category, especially since the latter is said to be planning the introduction of a new series of six-core CPUs, codenamed Gulftown and part of the company's Core i9 family. Intel's new high-end chips are slated for arrival sometime in the second quarter of 2010, providing desktop PC users with new performance levels.

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Intel’s new Gulftown i7-980X CPU reviews well

Intel cut loose some benchmarking samples of their new, top of the line CPU, the i7-980X Extreme Edition. This is not a CPU intended for the causal use, but rather aim directly at the gaming market. MSRP for the CPU all by itself is a jaw-dropping $999, and rumors are already circulating that the OEMs are already looking at coming out with systems that utilize the new processors.

The reviews are looking good too. There’s just one little problem. There’s no software out there that can really take advantage of the new processor threading yet. See, the i7-980X supports up to 6 cores, which means it’s a multi-threading monster, but if the software doesn’t support it, you end up spending a grand on future proofing. Not a terrible idea, I mean it’s not like it’s worthless, but don’t expect the your brand new smoking CPU to be all it can be until the software can take advantage of it.

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Intel develops new chip to improve cloud computing

Intel, the computer chip manufacturing company, recently announced the development of the Xeon 5600 chip that it hopes will make cloud computing faster and more secure for organizations looking for a reliable option as they move into cloud computing. The company reports that the 5600 is 60 percent faster than the 5500 that it released in March 2009.

The company expects to develop more hardware aimed at improving cloud computing over the next five years, but it believes that the 5600 will remain a viable option for less sensitive cloud computing systems even as companies release newer technologies in the future.

"The Intel Xeon Processor 5600 series will be the backbone of mainstream computing environments," Kirk Skaugen, vice president of the Intel Architechture Group, told Outsourcery.com.

"Improvements in performance, server virtualization and power consumption will foster productivity and efficiency for a broad range of applications ranging from data transactions to workstations performing medical imaging and digital prototyping," he continued.

Technology market research firm Gartner believes that at least 20 percent of companies will be entirely in the cloud by 2012, while a majority of businesses will have a substantial portion of their IT in the cloud.

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