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AMD to scrap new Kuma microprocessor

Fresh from the rumour mill
Wed Jun 11 2008, 18:36

APPARENTLY AMD INTENDS to scrap its plan to release Kuma, its new dual-core Phenom microprocessor which is based on the firm’s brand new K10 micro-architecture on 45nm technology.

According to Chinese language site HKEPC, the company told its Taiwanese motherboard maker partners that it would be canceling its Kuma microprocessor, as well as its Phenom FX - 9x and Phenom FX - 8x, dubbed Agena FX.

Whispers on the blogosphere suggest the move could be the firm's way of keeping development costs lower faced with increasing uncertainty about whether or not the chips would be able to turn a profit for the company.

Other rumours reckon AMD was having trouble increasing the clock speeds of the new dual core K10 offerings, which led the firm to cancel the release, which was due for the end of this year.

It was widely believed that Kuma would have bettered AMD’s flailing competitive chances against major competitors like Intel, but it now seems the company will have to fall back on its antiquated K8 micro-architecture powered AMD Athlon 64 X2 chips, released way back in 2005.

This leaves AMD in a bit of tight spot, as the company will now have to attempt to do well enough by flogging its not-quite-as-good-as-Intel’s high end models instead.

When the INQ contacted AMD’s PR for a confirmation, we were told that the firm "don't comment on rumour or speculation". But apparently it will keep us posted. Who wants to join us in holding our breath? µ

L’Inq
Translated version of HKEPC

See Also
AMD K10 gets a name: Phenom

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Comments
Go back to K7

why k8? why not go back to K7.
Very disappointing.

Was there a requirement for K10 ? or was it for a simple quad or a winning X2 ? 

First, Dual cores should actually be on their AM2 & not AM2+. It would be a simple goal for AMD - to do a "K8+" arch, with a Large (6 MB) L3 for Dual Cores (may be on 45 nm).

Cores need not loop around the motherboard to work together. It has to be a shared cache on the die.

Having processor Lines based on "failed cores of Phenoms" is at best a recycling strategy and is not going to gain any market share. 

posted by : mojo, 12 June 2008 Complain about this comment
No way...

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20080611173140_AMD_Denies_Cancellation_of_New_Generation_Dual_Core_Chips.html

So ?

posted by : RS, 12 June 2008 Complain about this comment
Possible Good News?

Could be that they could make tri cores so cheap using the K10s that they consider it not worth it to make dual cores and just go straight to tri cores.

Which would put them on a better footing.

posted by : Dieter Chan, 12 June 2008 Complain about this comment
AMD-nied

AMD denied the report: http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9966067-1.html

posted by : pixie, 12 June 2008 Complain about this comment
Latest SPY News

Heres same story at Intel, going Pentium 5000: heres true meaning In both cases, as I p r e duct taped:
If this where theINQ I'd label comment:HARD CORELOSERS.
Or somewhat false computer shops that trade only in 945/6 & XP. although well aware of Vista, NOT being sold, they would be 800:1 contrat lcd 19" shops, today any heavy discounter DEMAND Shopper gives up 945 NOW Yet culls XP crowd & seeks CHEAP Reliable SOLUTIONS.Starter Ultimate.
Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART VON DRASHEK M.D.Basic floor demand is all around block from case load buyers for simplicity.
Also I looked at 120 hz in field & it really sucked. its got same flipper lack of defination as any interpolated set.

posted by : FULL_DAKOTIAN-PROFITEER, 12 June 2008 Complain about this comment
K8>K10 as X2

Why wouldn't AMD do this?

K8 dual core clocks much higher than the K10s right now and costs much less to make with higher yields.
Benchmarks have shown that the K10 is only slightly faster than K10 core-to-core and clock-to-clock.
AMD should continue with the K8 after they transition fully to K10, perhaps spinning manufacture off to Chartered.

posted by : Incredulus Odi, 12 June 2008 Complain about this comment
Not surprising at all...

...K10 cores have a few more transistors than K8 cores, and the 2 MB L3-cache add a huge bunch of transistors as well. Kuma would have been much bigger and more power hungry than Brisbane, at the same time benchmarks have shown that K10 technology is only about 20% faster per clock, so Kuma would need 2.6+ GHz only to compete with Intels C2D E4600/E4700, while being much more expensive to make and much more power hungry. A 3.0+ GHz Brisbane is simply a more efficient solution.

posted by : reaperrr, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
wtf?

That makes no sense what so ever.

Why would a processor company cancel a chip line that is naturally easier to make?

What a crock!

posted by : Nick, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
To scrap or not to crap

Seems like AMD is not only scrapping products but also human resource...

Alberto Machi has gotten the boot lately and been replaced by an Italian gentleman...

It's gonna be a long hot summer and some guys will be on permanent leave soon...

posted by : JeezesLouize, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
Errors in article..

As you can read HKEPC,they are not absing Kuma on 45nm process.It's just a 65nm version that is not going to be released!

45nm Shanghai will come out and will be in 2/3/4 core version and as well FX.

So this part is wrong:
"APPARENTLY AMD INTENDS to scrap its plan to release Kuma, its new dual-core Phenom microprocessor which is based on the firm’s brand new K10 micro-architecture on -----[45nm ]---technology."

posted by : inf, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
Confusion

Digitimes is reporting that they are scraping their 65nm Kuma processors but 45nm is still coming out. I am not sure who is right on this rumor.

posted by : Nehtor, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
Rescue Please?

Somebody, ANYBODY please buy AMD and give them the cash to invest. They are drowning here, IBM?...Via? ...anybody?

posted by : Altair, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
If true

that would be truly pathetic.

posted by : X. Ruiz, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
I Think You've Got It wrong

I read the HKEPC article as that the dual cores were being scrapped, not the whole range of CPUs. 

There's not much point in the dual cores when tri and quad cores are better and not much more expensive.

posted by : Random, 11 June 2008 Complain about this comment
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