More 45nm AMD desktop CPUs coming soon
AMD IS LIKELY to shift production of desktop CPUs to 45nm process technology by the third quarter of 2009 and launch several new CPUs, say sources in the know.
The littler chipper, which spun off its manufacturing arm into GlobalFoundries a few months back, wants to move its dual-core Phenom II X2 500 (Callisto), Athlon II X2 200, quad-core Athlon II X4 600 and triple-core Athlon II X3 400 (Rana) series to cost-saving 45nm within months.
The firm is already using a 45nm process on its quad-core Phenom II X4 800 and 900 series (Deneb) as well as on its triple-core Phenom II X3 700 series (Heka).
Jon Carvill, Head of Communications at GlobalFoundries told the INQ, "All new wafer starts in Dresden are now on 45nm process technology," but he declined to give any further specific details.
John Taylor, a spokesman for AMD was also tight lipped about the chipmaker's specific plans, but told the INQ his firm was "looking forward to introducing platforms with new 45nm processors later this year."
It's widely believed GloFo is already ramping 45nm production for all or most of AMD's new desktop and mobile parts for the second half of this year, so the Taiwanese whisperers may have gotten that one right.
Also doing the rounds in motherboard maker gossip columns is the fact AMD will launch a plethora of new processors between now and Q309, including no less than 10 low-power CPUs thought to include the Phenom II X4 905e, Phenom II X3 705e and Athlon II X4 605e.
The dual-core Phenom II X2 550 and 545 are thought to be about to make an appearance by the end of Q209, with the quad-core Phenom II X4 945 (95W), 8xx (95W), triple-core Phenom II X3 7xx (95W), quad-core Athlon II X4 630/620, triple-core Athlon II X3 435/ 425 and dual-core Athlon II X2 250/245/240 hot on their heels in the early third quarter.
If correct, this would mean most of AMD's upcoming offerings will launch just before Intel's planned release of its three quad-core Lynnfield CPUs in the third quarter.
Should make for interesting competition. µ
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It's great that AMD is offering new 3 and 4 core CPUs all based on the 45nm process. However, why bother still making new dual core CPUs? What is their purpose?
These days everyone seems to be getting quad cores except people buying laptops. I've been putting in quad cores left and right in my household machines.
Heck, I even have 2 HTPC builds both using Phenom X4 CPUs.
What good is a high-GHz dual core when a slower quad core CPU can do more math per second?
Why not a new north bridge instead?
Yields and binning and power consumption you knobs!
@ Yazovets
You are absolutely right!
Why would I spend less than $100 on a dual core processor for my Mum's internet/email box, when I can spend $250 on a quad core?
I also have a low power internet/email/office tasks box that I use instead of my power guzzling gaming system for office work. When building it, I thought about using a 45w dual core and integrated graphics, but ended up going with a 120w quad core and dual HD4870x2 in Crossfire instead.
Boy, am I glad I did! OpenOffice is so quick, and Firefox has never been snappier!
http://www.xbitlabs.com/misc/picture/?src=/images/cpu/phenom-athlon-ii-x2/oc-550.png&1=1
http://www.xbitlabs.com/misc/picture/?src=/images/cpu/phenom-athlon-ii-x2/oc-250.png&1=1
http://xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/phenom-athlon-ii-x2.html
Thats why theyre making dual cores.
Why are they still making dual-cores? Really everyone? Maybe because, like Intel, who still makes single core solutions for lower end systems in some markets, AMD will continue to offer cheaper CPU solutions. Not everyone is a fanatic and wants to run a server, or the latest FPS in maxed out settings. That's great if YOU want to install quad-core computers in your household, but first off you'd be surprised that you probably aren't even utilizing them to their full extent, and second off, not everyone does need even dual-core CPUs still.