With 45nm Intel® Core™2 Duo processors, you'll experience revolutionary performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy-efficiency second to none. And, you won't have to slow down for virus scan, multiple compute intensive programs, or home video editing—these desktop processors include Intel® HD Boost and are up to 70 percent faster when processing high-definition memories with your HD video camera.
Now the best gets even better with Intel's latest Core 2 Duo processors built using Intel's 45nm technology, using hafnium-infused circuitry to bring you the latest arsenal of performance-rich technologies. These amazing new processors include up to 6 MB of shared L2 cache, up to 1333 MHz front side bus for desktop, and up to 800 MHz front side bus for laptop.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo mobile processors
At the dual-core heart of Intel® Centrino®2 processor technology, the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor family features a faster FSB (up to 1066 MHz), higher clock speeds, and enhanced microarchitecture technologies, helping to maximize Intel®Centrino®2 processor technology's dual-core performance and power savings.• 6 MB of total L2 cache• Up to 1066 MHz front side bus
Intel® Core™2 Duo Desktop Processor, Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor and Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 6x1
For the Intel® Core™2 Duo Desktop Processor E6000? and E4000? sequences, Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor E2000? sequence and Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 6x1? sequence at 65 WDepending on the type of system and the chassis characteristics, new system and component designs may be required to provide adequate cooling for the processor. The goal of this document is to provide an understanding of these thermal characteristics and discuss guidelines for meeting the thermal requirements imposed on single processor systems using the Intel® Core™2 Duo desktop processor E6000/E4000? sequences, Intel® Pentium® Dual Core Processor E2000? sequence, and Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 6x1? Sequence.The concepts given in this document are applicable to any system form factor. Specific examples used will be the Intel enabled reference solution for ATX/uATX systems. See the applicable BTX form factor reference documents to design a thermal solution for that form factor.64-bit computing on Intel architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel® 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel® 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on your hardware and software configurations. Consult with your system vendor for more information.
Intel Starts Shipping Dual-Core Atom Processor
Intel has started shipping the first dual-core Atom processors, which are targeted to laptops or handheld devices with internet access – dubbed MIDs, Mobile Internet Devices. Atom 330 is built on 45 nm manufacturing process, works internally at 1,6 GHz, works externally at 533 MHz, has 1 MB L2 cache and TDP of 8 W. Its MSRP is of USD 40 (in 1000-unit tray quantities).
Intel Core 2 Duo Knocks Down AMD Athlon 64
Intel has regained the performance crown from AMD, after its launch of Core 2 Duo line of processors which are based on Intel’s new Core micro architecture. The processors are expected to ship by 27th July 2006. The performance Core 2 Duo is found to be superior than the AMD’s current line of processors.Intel’s Core 2 Extreme X6800 didn’t lose a single benchmark in our comparison; not a single one. In many cases, the $183 Core 2 Duo E6300 actually outperformed Intel’s previous champ: the Pentium Extreme Edition 965. In one day, Intel has made its entire Pentium D lineup of processors obsolete. Intel’s Core 2 processors offer the sort of next-generation micro-architecture performance leap that we honestly haven’t seen from Intel since the introduction of the P6.Compared to AMD’s Athlon 64 X2 the situation gets a lot more competitive, but AMD still doesn’t stand a chance. The Core 2 Extreme X6800, Core 2 Duo E6700 and E6600 were pretty consistently in the top 3 or 4 spots in each benchmark, with the E6600 offering better performance than AMD’s FX-62 flagship in the vast majority of benchmarks. Another way of looking at it is that Intel’s Core 2 Duo E6600 is effectively a $316 FX-62, which doesn’t sound bad at all.We’re still waiting to get our hands on the E6400 as it may end up being the best bang for your buck, but even the slower E6300 is quite competitive with AMD’s X2 4200+ and X2 3800+. If AMD drops the price on those two parts even more than we’re expecting, then it may be able to hold on to the lower end of the performance mainstream market as the E6300 is not nearly as fast as the E6600.For industry experts, Core 2 Duo beating the Athlon 64 processor family is no surprise: On the one hand, Core 2 Duo is a brand-new state-of-the-art processor, whereas the Athlon 64 X2 has been around for a while. On the other hand, Intel must come out with a superior product to finally beat AMD after two years of Athlon 64 headwinds.Core 2 is an eighth-generation x86 architecture microprocessor to be produced by Intel based on an all-new CPU design called the Intel Core Microarchitecture, which will replace the NetBurst architecture that has powered Intel processors since 2000. Core 2 also will mark the retirement of Intel’s Pentium brand name that has been used from 1993 and the reunion of Intel’s notebook and desktop product lines since Pentium M was released apart from Pentium 4 in 2003.Unlike NetBurst-based processors, such as the Pentium 4 and Pentium D, Core 2 will not stress designs based on extremely high clock speeds but rather improvements on other CPU features, including cache size and number of cores. Intel claims that the power consumption of these processors is to be extremely low compared to the Pentiums before.Intel Core 2 processors will feature EM64T, Virtualization Technology, and Execute Disable Bit. The release will also introduce LaGrande Technology, SSE4, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2).
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core Processor
Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core ProcessorIntel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core Processor(3GHz, 6MB, 1333MHz FSB, LGA775 Socket T - MPN: BX80570E8400)Price Range: $169.99 - $269.66 from 17 SellersDescription: Based on Intel Core microarchitecture, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor family is designed to provide energy-efficient performance so you can do more at once without slowing down.Quick GlanceProcessor Socket: Intel Socket T (LGA775)Processor Class: Intel Core 2 DuoProcessor Type: 2Bus Speed: 1333MHzProcessor Speed: 3000Processor Speed + ClassBus Speed: 1333MHzProcessor Speed: 3 GHzProcessor Class: Intel Core 2 DuoPhysical + Memory Specifications Included Fan Type: ATXL2 Cache Size: 6 MBNumber of Processor Cores: 2Processor Socket: Intel Socket T (LGA775)
Intel® Core™2 Extreme processor QX9770
Intel® Core™2 Extreme processor QX9770Get untouchable desktop performance from Intel's latest Extreme processor. Play games, edit high definition video and easily tackle the most demanding multitasking environments like never before.Intel® Core™2 Extreme processorFor extreme computing. Enjoy revolutionary levels of performance enabling vivid, high-definition experiences and multi-tasking responsiveness from state-of-the-art Intel dual-core and quad-core technologies.Intel® Core™2 Quad processorMultimedia enthusiasts, prepare to enthuse. Bring quad-core performance to your desktop with the Intel® Core™2 Quad processor. It's the ideal engine for highly threaded entertainment applications and highly productive multitasking.Intel® Core™2 Duo processorThe power to perform. With power-optimized enabled dual-core technology and exceptional energy efficiency, the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor excels running the most intense applications.
Intel PROSet Network Adapter Driver Set 11.2
This release includes software and drivers for Intel(R) PRO/100, Intel(R) PRO/1000, and Intel(R) PRO/10GbE adapters and integrated network connections.What's New in This Release==========================- Support for Microsoft Windows Vista*- Support for iSCSI Boot- Support for Microsoft Windows Server* 2003 Service Pack 2- Limited support for PCI Express adapters on Itanium(R)-based systems- Linux and FreeBSD support for the Intel(R) PRO/1000 PT Quad Port LP Server Adapter- Support for the Intel(R) 82562GT 10/100 Network Connection- Improved adaptive interrupt moderationThis CD does not contain software or drivers for Microsoft Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows Me, or IBM OS/2. The most recent software and drivers for these operating systems can be found on the Intel Customer Support website at
Intel Turbo Memory 1.7.0.1029 (8.5.0.1032)
Intel® Turbo Memory improves the general performance of your computer with faster read/write access times and reduced boot-up times. It also increases the power efficiency of the mobile system by moving frequently accessed data over to the flash memory from the hard drive.Driver for Intel® Turbo Memory, a PC component that caches large amounts of frequently used data for faster access by the processor.SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS****************************************************************************1. The system must be 1 of the following systems, and have the correctversion of the Intel(R) Turbo Memory Hardware:- Intel(R) Mobile 965 Express Chipset Family Platforms supportingAHCI Mode- Intel(R) 3 Series Chipset Platforms supporting AHCI or RAID Mode- Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Platforms supporting AHCIor RAID Mode- Intel(R) 4 Series Chipsets Platforms supporting AHCI or RAID Mode2. The system should contain at least the minimum systemmemory required by the operating system. For Microsoft WindowsVista*, the recommendation is at least 1GB of system memory withan absolute minimum of 512MB.3. The system must be running the following operating system:- Microsoft Windows Vista x32 Edition* (RTM, version 6000)- Microsoft Windows Vista x64 Edition* (RTM, version 6000)No other operating systems are supported.4. For Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family Platforms, the systemmust be configured in Enhanced AHCI Mode. Please review motherboardBIOS setup documentation on how to configure these modes.5. For Intel(R) 3 Series Chipset based Platforms, the system BIOSmust be placed into AHCI or RAID mode. Please review motherboard BIOSsetup documentation on how to configure these modes.6. For Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Chipset based Platforms, the system BIOSmust be placed into AHCI or RAID Mode. Please review motherboard BIOSsetup documentation on how to configure these modes.7. For Intel(R) 4 Series Chipset based Platforms, the system BIOS must beplaced into AHCI or RAID Mode. Please review motherboard BIOS setupdocumentation on how to configure these modes.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processors
How to Over Clock / Basic Over Clocking Guide for Core 2 DuoWhat will you need ??1. Hardware setup2. Softwares for the processHardware SetupThis guide will cover mainlly Intel Processors… Basically Intel Core based ones, such as,ProcessorsE2140E2160E4300E4400E4500E6300E6320E6400E6420E6550E6600E6700E6750E6850Q6600Q6700X7900X7800X6800QX6700QX6800QX6850MotherboardsFor any Overclocking one thing is must, ur Hardware supporting Overclocking, mean u have a C2D but one Intel 946 / 965 based board, will mean no OC… as those boards doesnt allow OC…Good Well Ventilated Cabbinet is needed as will generate a lot of heat for sure..so, large cabbi with few FANs so, for OCing high u will need to have cabinet modifications….Better RAM, those Value rams of 667 or 800 is good for Ligh or mid range OC but will need better RAMs for sure…Last of all, the most important, The motherboard…. one ASUS P5B-MX motherboard with 946 chipset will not going to oc the procy better, where as P5B DLx with P965 or P5N-E SLi with Nvidia 650 chipset or XFX 650i or higher ones like P35 Chipset based ones like ASUS P5K series and nForce 680i ones like P5N32-E SLi or XFX 680i, will overclock far more efficiantly than those 946 based or VIA based ones….Before we start, lets learn What exactly is Over Clocking ??What Softwares One would need ???Really dont have much idea about Linux softwares, so i would expect all running Windows will suggest few which u will need in Windows…Lots of Software to monitor the Heat lavel !! As every one says Its easy to Overclock but easier than that to Burn the ProcyInstall and Run it in every startup and then minimize it, will show one info at corner of the screen… Like my bellow Screeny,Core Temp Run it while Stability test under load for Temps monitoringPi Testing to test the stability of the OC…orthos This is for a long time load test of the OC system !!!ASUS PC Prob… Find in in ur ASUS Mobo CDin one dumb sentence, what we do is, we increase the FSB / BUS speed by little mean, which in place (FSB / 4 = BUS) increases the CPU Speed BUS x multiple = CPU Speed… and when u OC high u need to increase the processor vcore (my case Default 1.24) to some stable vcore by one step at a time !!! also at some point u may see ur RAM fails to keep up so, u need to increase their voltage too, chip value rams will not allow more than 2.1v at any point…In my case, default E6600 FSB is 1066 MHz where as BUS speed is (1066/4) 266.5 MHz, so with multile 9 my E6600 runs at 266.5 x 9 = 2398.5 MHz So by trial and error Method I found one Stable at this, as my mobo allow FSB increase so, FSB 1575 / Vcore 1.5v / RAM voltage 2.178v….So, the main idea is increasing the FSB / BUS without givng more vcore till the point where u need to put some vcore… as more vcore will mean more Heat !!!Lets StartSo to start with in ASUS Boards Disable AI Tuning and CIA2 for Giga Byte ones…BIOS SettingsSeting the PCI Expres (PCIe) @ 100MHz / PCI to 33 MHzDisable the Q-Fan control to allow the Processor fan to runn at full speed all the timeDisable any thing which says CPUID MAX to 2Disable C1E if running windows XP (well thats what all ASUS mobo manual says)RAM SettingsWell make sure processor and RAM frequency is unlinked so, i would suggest keep the RAM frequency to default value…Till the point u cant boot or dont get stable OS, u dont need to play with the RAM voltage of Timings, but b ready on higher Overclock u will need to push the RAM voltage up [Razz] i got suggestion that Voltage is fine Till 2.1v !!! nothing up for our value rams…Processor SettingsSome motherboards will allow increase of BUS speed (BUS x multiple) some will alow increase of FSB (FSB/4=BUS Speed)…in any case, increase step by step, dont push a lot at a time rather step by step… till u find one stable max point…Stability TestingWell sure, u should be able to boot in to OS… and personal Suggestion make sure its a clean installation without any Startup object or AVS, as that delayes the time of start nessecary Temp monitoring sofwtares….If u are unable to boot, means some vcore or RAM voltage !!!Run CPU-Z to view ur speeds…for me 1st thing is running PC Wizerd and minimize it to Start bar as that would give a lot of info at once… !!!Running ASUS ProbeRunning Core Tempthey will give info of idle temp…. Make sure, u stay in side the temp limit (explained later on)Now Copy the SUPER PI Process EXE on 2 places, run those together (Dont start calculation, just run those EXE)… now from Tank Manager, Go to Process, right click on each of the Superpi.exe and put one on each core…Now Start calculaiton for 2m pi for both at once… !!!! keep eye on ur Temp limits (Explained Later)… If system passes the test fine, proceed to later on, if ur system restarts, means u will need to push some Vcore and come bacnk again to here, even then its restarts, then some RAM voltage may be (Dont cross that 2.1v) !!!Now when u pass the test next level of Load testLoad TestRun one Instance of orthos and Start testing ur Procy !!! run it for atleast 1 hour keep an eye on the Temps (Core Temp / PC Wizerd) all the time… if u are crossing the denger lavel Stop the test and rebott back to lower the vcore and BUS/FSB too !!!if u pass the test means u have a stable overclock system !!!Temparature settingsAt Any point load temp should not cross 60c, see on idle condition temp may low at 42 ot 45 but onload will push the temp close to 60c…your Dengar Level is 60c, allways stay bellow it….Please noteNo 2 Processo are the same, I mean I have one E6600 which need vcore of 1.5v to run at 3.6 GHz where as its possible that Mr. A’s E6600 can reach 3.8 GHz with just 1.48 or Mr. B’s E6600 cant go byond 3.4 ghx at 1.5v….So no specific info on exact settings, u have to try and try to find best Overclock for ur self…Remember Never let the Temps touch 60c, keep the RAMs at their Default Frequency, lavue ram cant take byond 2.1v voltage…In the end I would say there are tons of better guides out there in OIverclokcing, Google will give better results, so those who already tried it, please post so tricks a tips for higher overlocks…And last of all, Dont forget to post ur Results, with some Temp and load testing apps running at Backgroud… and with ur OC setings info and stepsFor me, on stock it was 2.89 GHz, where as with ThermalRight ultra 120 extreme, FSB 1575 / vcore 1.5 / ram voltage 2.178 (667 MHz)
AMD Phenom II X4 940
Ever since the Intel Core processor family has been launched, AMD has been trying hard to keep abreast of the competition.
AMD kept its fingers crossed that the new lineup of Phenom processors would help them grab a larger market share, but the efforts were in vain because of a few glitches in the architecture, and Intel had better performing processors at competitive prices.
This time, AMD is back in action with Phenom II, which is the former Phenom with a couple of tweaks and a leaner design. Now the question is how good Phenom II is and how hard is it going to hit Intel?
Features
Phenom II is built upon the same architecture as that of Phenom, but it’s manufactured using a 45 nm process. Measuring 258 mm2 the die size of Phenom II is 9.5 percent smaller, but yet the transistor count has increased by 68 percent to 758 million.
This increase in the number of transistors has allowed AMD to triple the size of the L3 cache from 2 MB to 6 MB. However, the size of the L1 and L2 cache remains the same. Apart from these, other major improvements are faster L3 cache and more efficient Cool ‘n’ Quiet.While Phenom could only run either at full or half speed, Phenom II can run at four speeds ranging from a minimum of 800 MHz to full speed. In addition to this, AMD has moved away from allowing individual cores to switch independently between different speeds because it caused problems with certain multithreaded applications—runs all its cores at the same frequency, just like the Core i7 except that it cannot completely switch off idle cores.
AMD Launches ATI Radeon HD 4830 for Under $150
AMD has introduced the ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card, raising the performance bar for graphics cards priced at less than $150.
"The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is another example of how AMD's scalable design strategy is paying off," said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, Graphics Products Group, AMD. "With a single chip we have been able to quickly and efficiently bring to market graphics card designs ranging from below $150 through $549 SEP, with leading performance in every segment. The ATI Radeon HD 4830 continues that great trend, providing tremendous value to gamers for less than $150."
"The $100-$150 graphics card price band represents the ‘sweet spot' of the desktop PC graphics market where the consumer gets the most graphics performance per dollar spent," said Dean McCarron, founder and principal, Mercury Research. "This is where the latest graphics technologies reach the mainstream PC audience, and this is the level that most PC games target."
For gamers looking to get even more performance out of their gaming rigs, ATI Radeon HD 4830 cards support ATI CrossFireX technology allowing gamers to combine as many as four cards in one PC.
AMD maintains that the ATI Radeon HD 4830 offers exceptional HD multimedia performance as well. All ATI Radeon HD 4800 series cards allow users to enjoy HD digital content with uncompromising visual fidelity while helping to enhance the definition and clarity of lower resolution visual media. AMD's second generation Unified Video Decoder (UVD 2.0) ensures users experience smooth HD video playback, and sharp, crisp images and vibrant colors through ATI Avivo HD technology. Combined with capabilities like picture-in-picture, and support for the latest HD audio technologies like 7.1 surround sound, the ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card serves up an impressive cinema-quality home entertainment experience.
The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is supported by a dozen add-in-board companies offering custom designs of the products. Partners include ASUS, Club 3D, Diamond multimedia , Force3D, GECUBE, GIGABYTE, HIS (Hightech Information Systems), Jetway, MSI, Palit Multimedia, PowerColor, SAPPHIRE Technology and VisionTek. It is expected to be available immediately.
"The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is another example of how AMD's scalable design strategy is paying off," said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, Graphics Products Group, AMD. "With a single chip we have been able to quickly and efficiently bring to market graphics card designs ranging from below $150 through $549 SEP, with leading performance in every segment. The ATI Radeon HD 4830 continues that great trend, providing tremendous value to gamers for less than $150."
"The $100-$150 graphics card price band represents the ‘sweet spot' of the desktop PC graphics market where the consumer gets the most graphics performance per dollar spent," said Dean McCarron, founder and principal, Mercury Research. "This is where the latest graphics technologies reach the mainstream PC audience, and this is the level that most PC games target."
For gamers looking to get even more performance out of their gaming rigs, ATI Radeon HD 4830 cards support ATI CrossFireX technology allowing gamers to combine as many as four cards in one PC.
AMD maintains that the ATI Radeon HD 4830 offers exceptional HD multimedia performance as well. All ATI Radeon HD 4800 series cards allow users to enjoy HD digital content with uncompromising visual fidelity while helping to enhance the definition and clarity of lower resolution visual media. AMD's second generation Unified Video Decoder (UVD 2.0) ensures users experience smooth HD video playback, and sharp, crisp images and vibrant colors through ATI Avivo HD technology. Combined with capabilities like picture-in-picture, and support for the latest HD audio technologies like 7.1 surround sound, the ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card serves up an impressive cinema-quality home entertainment experience.
The ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card is supported by a dozen add-in-board companies offering custom designs of the products. Partners include ASUS, Club 3D, Diamond multimedia , Force3D, GECUBE, GIGABYTE, HIS (Hightech Information Systems), Jetway, MSI, Palit Multimedia, PowerColor, SAPPHIRE Technology and VisionTek. It is expected to be available immediately.
Dual Core Atom: Intel D945GCLF2 & Atom 330
Last week, when going through the "what's new" list of a local supplier, I found a gem: an inexpensive mini-ITX motherboard with a dual core Atom processor. This little marvel, the Intel D945GCLF2, does not even show up on the Intel web site - other than being noted as announced during IDF. Interested in what it was capable of, I bought one on the spot.
The idea of very low power processors that are "fast enough" for many applications is starting to catch on. It would be fair to say that Asus took the world by fire with their original Eee PC, and followed it up with the highly successful Eee PC 901 - spawning a whole new "netbook" category of sub-notebook computers with enough processing power for Internet access and every day tasks. Mind you, Asus dropped the ball by not hitting its initially announced $199 Eee PC price tag, however there are now very capable netbooks around $300, like some models of the Acer AspireOne.
Asus then followed by releasing the Eee Box, bringing low powered tiny desktops to the public - sure they won't run Crysis, but they will do office apps and internet browsing, for less money, and while only sipping power compared to gaming boxes, and they can save even more money by avoiding the Microsoft Tax, by shipping a friendly Linux distribution pre-installed on the computer.
Low power computers are in fact enough for most people's use, and make excellent second, third or fourth computers in a family home. After all, how much power do you need to run Open Office and FireFox? Not much.
The idea of very low power processors that are "fast enough" for many applications is starting to catch on. It would be fair to say that Asus took the world by fire with their original Eee PC, and followed it up with the highly successful Eee PC 901 - spawning a whole new "netbook" category of sub-notebook computers with enough processing power for Internet access and every day tasks. Mind you, Asus dropped the ball by not hitting its initially announced $199 Eee PC price tag, however there are now very capable netbooks around $300, like some models of the Acer AspireOne.
Asus then followed by releasing the Eee Box, bringing low powered tiny desktops to the public - sure they won't run Crysis, but they will do office apps and internet browsing, for less money, and while only sipping power compared to gaming boxes, and they can save even more money by avoiding the Microsoft Tax, by shipping a friendly Linux distribution pre-installed on the computer.
Low power computers are in fact enough for most people's use, and make excellent second, third or fourth computers in a family home. After all, how much power do you need to run Open Office and FireFox? Not much.
Intel Xeon 7460 Six Cores to Bulldoze Opteron Processors
The upcoming Intel Nehalem CPU has been in the spotlight for months now. In contrast and despite the huge die size and 1.9 billion (!) transistors, the 6-core Xeon 74xx is a wallflower for both the public as Intel's marketing. However, if you've invested in the current Intel platform, the newly launched Intel 74xx series deserves a lot more attention.
The Xeon 74xx, formerly known as Dunnington, is indeed a very interesting upgrade path for the older quad socket platform. All Xeon 74xx use the same mPGA604 socket as previous Xeons and are electrically compatible with the Xeon 73xx series. The Xeon 73xx , also known as Tigerton, was basically the quad-core version of the Xeon 53xx (Clovertown) that launched at the end 2006. The new hex-core Dunnington combines six of the latest 45nm Xeon Penryn cores on a single die. As you may remember from our dual socket 45nm Xeon 54xx review, the 45nm Penryn core is about 10% to 20% faster than its older 65nm brother (Merom). There is more: an enormous 12MB to 16MB L3 cache ensures that those six cores access high latency main memory a lot less. This huge L3 also reduces the amount of "cache syncing" traffic between the CPUs, an important bottleneck for the current Intel server platforms.
2.66GHz, 6 cores, 3x3MB L2, and 16MB L3 cache: a massive new Intel CPU
With at least 10% to 20% better performance per core, two extra cores per CPU package, and an upgrade that only requires a BIOS update, the newest Xeon 7460 should be an attractive proposal if you are short on processing power.
Six Cores?
Dunnington was announced at the past IDFs as "extending the MP leadership". Readers who read our last quad socket report understand that this is a questionable claim. Since AMD introduced the Opteron 8xxx in April 2003, there has never been a moment that Intel was able to lead the dance in the quad socket server market. Sure, the Intel 73xx was able to outperform the AMD chip in some areas (rendering), but the AMD quad-core was still able to keep up with Intel chip in Java, ERP, and database performance. When it comes to HPC, the AMD chip was clearly in the lead.
Dunnington might not be the darling of Intel marketing, but the chip itself is a very aggressive statement: let us "Bulldoze" AMD out of the quad socket market with a truly gigantic chip that only Intel can produce without losing money. Intel is probably - courtesy of the impressive ultra low leakage 45nm high-K process technology - the only one capable of producing large quantities of CPUs containing 1.9 billion transistors, resulting in an enormous die size of 503 mm2. That is almost twice the size of AMD's upcoming 45nm quad-core CPU Shanghai. Even IBM's flagship POWER6 processor (up to 4.7GHz) is only 341 mm2 and only has 790 million transistors.
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The Xeon 74xx, formerly known as Dunnington, is indeed a very interesting upgrade path for the older quad socket platform. All Xeon 74xx use the same mPGA604 socket as previous Xeons and are electrically compatible with the Xeon 73xx series. The Xeon 73xx , also known as Tigerton, was basically the quad-core version of the Xeon 53xx (Clovertown) that launched at the end 2006. The new hex-core Dunnington combines six of the latest 45nm Xeon Penryn cores on a single die. As you may remember from our dual socket 45nm Xeon 54xx review, the 45nm Penryn core is about 10% to 20% faster than its older 65nm brother (Merom). There is more: an enormous 12MB to 16MB L3 cache ensures that those six cores access high latency main memory a lot less. This huge L3 also reduces the amount of "cache syncing" traffic between the CPUs, an important bottleneck for the current Intel server platforms.
2.66GHz, 6 cores, 3x3MB L2, and 16MB L3 cache: a massive new Intel CPU
With at least 10% to 20% better performance per core, two extra cores per CPU package, and an upgrade that only requires a BIOS update, the newest Xeon 7460 should be an attractive proposal if you are short on processing power.
Six Cores?
Dunnington was announced at the past IDFs as "extending the MP leadership". Readers who read our last quad socket report understand that this is a questionable claim. Since AMD introduced the Opteron 8xxx in April 2003, there has never been a moment that Intel was able to lead the dance in the quad socket server market. Sure, the Intel 73xx was able to outperform the AMD chip in some areas (rendering), but the AMD quad-core was still able to keep up with Intel chip in Java, ERP, and database performance. When it comes to HPC, the AMD chip was clearly in the lead.
Dunnington might not be the darling of Intel marketing, but the chip itself is a very aggressive statement: let us "Bulldoze" AMD out of the quad socket market with a truly gigantic chip that only Intel can produce without losing money. Intel is probably - courtesy of the impressive ultra low leakage 45nm high-K process technology - the only one capable of producing large quantities of CPUs containing 1.9 billion transistors, resulting in an enormous die size of 503 mm2. That is almost twice the size of AMD's upcoming 45nm quad-core CPU Shanghai. Even IBM's flagship POWER6 processor (up to 4.7GHz) is only 341 mm2 and only has 790 million transistors.
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Intel Core2 Quad Q9300
Intel’s Core 2 Q9300 processor is fabricated using the 45nm Penryn process that we first saw in Benny's review of the Intel Core 2 Quad QX9650, which is a lovely CPU if you don't mind forking out £480. Thankfullly, the Penryn process is also used in more down-to-earth CPUs such as the dual core E8500, which is where things get interesting for most of us.
When we reviewed the E8500 in March 2008 it had a price of £182 but since then we’ve seen a surprising amount of price compression among the Intel dual cores. The 3.16GHz E8500 has dropped to £123, the 3.0GHz E8400 is £110 and the 2.66GHz E8200 is priced at £106. Who the heck would buy a £106 processor when you can get the next speed bump for only £4 more?
This reduction in price for the Wolfdale dual core Penryns leaves the £150+ price bracket open for affordable Yorkfield quad core processors which is where the Core 2 Quad Q9300 comes into the equation. It has a relatively slow clock speed of 2.50GHz which is achieved by a 7.5x multiplier and a 333MHz/1,333MHz front side bus which is matched by a price of £173. Now that’s cheap for a Yorkfield as faster models shoot past £200 and head for £390 with the Q9550 and upwards to £480 for the aforementioned QX9650.
Things aren’t entirely as they might appear, though, as most Yorkfields have 12MB of L2 cache with 6MB for each core while the Q9300 only has 6MB with 3MB per core. The rest of the features are just as you’d expect from a Penryn which is a significant advance from the 65nm Kentsfield including support for the SSE4.1 instruction set. The move to the 45nm process has allowed Intel to reduce the core voltage from a nominal 1.3V to 1.2V, which in turn reduces the TDP from 105W to 95W.
This leads us to wonder how the Q9300 compares with the Core 2 Q6600 which is our absolute favourite processor in the whole of overclockdom. We’ve had our sample of Q6600 for the best part of a year and it’s done sterling service overclocking from its standard speed of 2.4GHz to the dizzy heights of 3.4GHz. Scour the web and the Q6600 crops up time and time again as a champ of a processor and its appeal isn’t hurt one little bit by price cuts that have taken it below £120. Indeed, Intel is taking the fight to the 65nm AMD Phenom by slashing the prices of its own 65nm models and Q6600 is in the thick of that particular battle. Moreover, the Q6600 wipes the floor with Phenom; period.
So, with AMD out of the equation, with the Q9300 we wanted to know how the £117 Q6600 compares to this new £173 chip. For starters, and most obviously, you get an extra 100MHz with Q9300 but that’s certainly not worth an extra £56.
When we reviewed the E8500 in March 2008 it had a price of £182 but since then we’ve seen a surprising amount of price compression among the Intel dual cores. The 3.16GHz E8500 has dropped to £123, the 3.0GHz E8400 is £110 and the 2.66GHz E8200 is priced at £106. Who the heck would buy a £106 processor when you can get the next speed bump for only £4 more?
This reduction in price for the Wolfdale dual core Penryns leaves the £150+ price bracket open for affordable Yorkfield quad core processors which is where the Core 2 Quad Q9300 comes into the equation. It has a relatively slow clock speed of 2.50GHz which is achieved by a 7.5x multiplier and a 333MHz/1,333MHz front side bus which is matched by a price of £173. Now that’s cheap for a Yorkfield as faster models shoot past £200 and head for £390 with the Q9550 and upwards to £480 for the aforementioned QX9650.
Things aren’t entirely as they might appear, though, as most Yorkfields have 12MB of L2 cache with 6MB for each core while the Q9300 only has 6MB with 3MB per core. The rest of the features are just as you’d expect from a Penryn which is a significant advance from the 65nm Kentsfield including support for the SSE4.1 instruction set. The move to the 45nm process has allowed Intel to reduce the core voltage from a nominal 1.3V to 1.2V, which in turn reduces the TDP from 105W to 95W.
This leads us to wonder how the Q9300 compares with the Core 2 Q6600 which is our absolute favourite processor in the whole of overclockdom. We’ve had our sample of Q6600 for the best part of a year and it’s done sterling service overclocking from its standard speed of 2.4GHz to the dizzy heights of 3.4GHz. Scour the web and the Q6600 crops up time and time again as a champ of a processor and its appeal isn’t hurt one little bit by price cuts that have taken it below £120. Indeed, Intel is taking the fight to the 65nm AMD Phenom by slashing the prices of its own 65nm models and Q6600 is in the thick of that particular battle. Moreover, the Q6600 wipes the floor with Phenom; period.So, with AMD out of the equation, with the Q9300 we wanted to know how the £117 Q6600 compares to this new £173 chip. For starters, and most obviously, you get an extra 100MHz with Q9300 but that’s certainly not worth an extra £56.
Intel Postpones Launch of New Menlow Atom Chips until Mid-April
Intel has made quite the splash in both the nettop and netbook markets with its low-power Atom processors, but it will be another month before the chip maker dives into the mobile internet device (MID) end of the electronics pool, says DigiTimes. 
Citing un-named "sources at MID makers," the news and rumor site reports Intel has postponed the launch of its Atom Z550 and Z515 Atom CPU s to mid-April, both of which are intended for MIDs. When it launches, the Atom Z550 will run at2.0GHz, making it the fastest clockspeed Atom to date. It will offer the same 2.4W rated TDP, 512KB of L2 cache, and 533MHz frontside bus. The Z515 will run a tick slower at 1.2GHz. Both chips sport an average power consumption of just .22W.
The Z550 will boast support for Intel's US15W chipset, while the Atom Z515 will support both the US15W and low-power UL11L chipsets. In addition, the Z515 will also feature Intel's new Burst Performance Technology (BPT), which will adjust the core clockspeed based on performance requirements.
Intel To Launch Nehalem Server Processor
The new members of Intel's Xeon family implement the company's next-generation microarchitecture featuring an integrated memory controller. 
Intel (NSDQ: INTC) is scheduled to launch on Monday Nehalem EP, the server version of the chipmaker's next-generation microarchitecture. But while the new features within Nehalem EP coincide with the direction of computing, corporate adoption is likely to be hampered by the economic downturn.
Intel is expected to introduce Nehalem EP processors and highlight the systems of major computer makers, such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and IBM, at its corporate headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif.
Analysts agree that Nehalem EP, with its integrated memory controller for better performance, is poised to deliver more power to meet the increasing demand of virtualization in the data center. In addition, Nehalem-based processors should help with the push toward cloud computing, which typically refers to the running of applications in an Internet server or downloading the software from the Internet each time it's used. Google Apps is an example of business applications delivered via cloud computing. Initially, Nehalem EP processors will primarily be available with four cores. Intel plans to introduce a six-core Nehalem processor and an eight-core design, called Nehalem EX, by the end of the year. But sales of the new Intel products are expected to be slow this year, as companies riding out the economic recession cut IT spending and delay projects. "It's pretty clear that companies are going to be very conservative with the money they spend this year, and that's going to slowdown adoption," John Spooner, analyst for Technology Business Research, told Information Week. Where companies typically replaced old servers every three years, many businesses are likely to stretch out that replacement cycle by an additional year or two, Spooner said. Indeed, worldwide server shipments and revenue fell 11.7% and 15.1%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of last year from the same period a year ago, according to IDC. The downward trend in spending is expected to continue this year. If companies delay purchases of Nehalem EP-based servers this year, then it's unclear how customers will react to the launch next year of Nehalem processors based on Intel's 32-nanometer manufacturing process, which will produce faster, more energy efficient chips than the current batch of 45-nm processors. Companies could skip this year's Nehalem EP systems in favor of those based on the 32-nm variant, code-named Westmere, next year. "In the second half of 2010, when demand for systems in general will return, the combination of Nehalem and Westmere seems more potent on the demand side for really reaping the [performance] benefits," IDC analyst Shane Rau said. However, Intel has options in terms of pricing and adjusting production levels, so Nehalem EP and Westmere could serve different segments of the market.
On the technology side, Nehalem EP's integrated memory controller isn't new to the industry. Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices was the first with an on-chip controller in its 2003 Opteron server processors. While Intel has played down the need for the technology in the past, it's obvious that the demands of computing today have made the need for the higher-performing architecture pivotal.
Other important features within Nehalem are very sophisticated management of multithreading and of the multilevel caches. In addition, the architecture includes more advanced power management technology that computer manufacturers can tap into to reduce a system's energy consumption.
The Nehalem variant, known as Core i7, for high-end desktops and workstations was launched late last year.
Information Week Analytics has published an independent analysis of the challenges around virtualization management
Intel Delays Launch of New Atom CPUs
The two upcoming new members to the Intel Atom family will be held back from release by a couple of weeks.
Just last week we learned that Intel will soon be releasing two new Intel Atom CPU's--the Z550 and the Z515. Now mobile internet device makers have told Digitimes that Intel has postponed the launch of the two new chips until mid-April.
While a delay of just a couple of weeks might not sound like much to consumers, system designers will have to re-juggle their plans to for a new launch date. So far, however, no systems based on the new chips have been announced, as they’re still under wraps at Intel.
Of the two new chips reported to launch soon, one is aimed at the higher-end while the other is for more modest applications. The high-end offering will be the Z550, which will bring the core clock speed to 2.0 GHz. It shall retain the same power characteristics as the 1.86 GHz Z540, thereby giving more performance per watt.
The second new Atom supposedly to be released is the Z515, which is expected to have a TDP of 0.65W to 1.4W, depending on mode, making it a good candidate for MIDs. The chip is to incorporate what is being called Intel Performance Burst Technology, which can put the chip at 800 MHz or 1.2 GHz.
Hopefully the introduction of the new Atom chips will provide a little more variety to the netbook market that’s ruled by the 1.6 GHz model.
Just last week we learned that Intel will soon be releasing two new Intel Atom CPU's--the Z550 and the Z515. Now mobile internet device makers have told Digitimes that Intel has postponed the launch of the two new chips until mid-April.
While a delay of just a couple of weeks might not sound like much to consumers, system designers will have to re-juggle their plans to for a new launch date. So far, however, no systems based on the new chips have been announced, as they’re still under wraps at Intel.
Of the two new chips reported to launch soon, one is aimed at the higher-end while the other is for more modest applications. The high-end offering will be the Z550, which will bring the core clock speed to 2.0 GHz. It shall retain the same power characteristics as the 1.86 GHz Z540, thereby giving more performance per watt.
The second new Atom supposedly to be released is the Z515, which is expected to have a TDP of 0.65W to 1.4W, depending on mode, making it a good candidate for MIDs. The chip is to incorporate what is being called Intel Performance Burst Technology, which can put the chip at 800 MHz or 1.2 GHz.
Hopefully the introduction of the new Atom chips will provide a little more variety to the netbook market that’s ruled by the 1.6 GHz model.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
VoIP Working
If you've never heard of VoIP, get ready to change the way you think about long-distance phone calls. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog telephone signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.
How is this useful? VoIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place free phone calls. The practical upshot of this is that by using some of the free VoIP software that is available to make Internet phone calls, you're bypassing the phone company (and its charges) entirely.
VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely rework the world's phone systems. VoIP providers like have already been around for a while and are growing steadily. Major carriers like are already setting up VoIP calling plans in several markets around the United States, and the FCC is looking seriously at the potential ramifications of VoIP service.
Above all else, VoIP is basically a clever "reinvention of the wheel." In this article, we'll explore the principles behind VoIP, its applications and the potential of this emerging technology, which will more than likely one day replace the phone systems
The interesting thing about VoIP is that there is not just one way to place a call. There are three different "flavors" of VoIP service in common use today:
- ATA -- The simplest and most common way is through the use of a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). The ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA is an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT&T CallVantage are bundling ATAs free with their service. You simply crack the ATA out of the box, plug the cable from your phone that would normally go in the wall socket into the ATA, and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it's a very straightforward setup.
- IP Phones -- These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 enthernet connector. IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call. wi-fi phones allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any wi-fi hot phones.
- Computer-to-computer -- This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don't even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, microphone,speakers, asound-card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable orDSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.
If you're interested in trying VoIP, then you should check out some of the free VoIP software available on the Internet. You should be able to download and set it up in about three to five minutes. Get a friend to download the software, too, and you can start tinkering with VoIP to get a feel for how it works.
Using VOIP
Chances are good you're already making VoIP calls any time you place a long-distance call. Phone companies use VoIP to streamline their networks. By routing thousands of phone calls through a circuit switch and into an IP gateway, they can seriously reduce the bandwidth they're using for the long haul. Once the call is received by a gateway on the other side of the call, it's decompressed, reassembled and routed to a local circuit switch.
Although it will take some time, you can be sure that eventually all of the current circuit-switched networks will be replaced with packet switching network(more on packet switching and circuit switching later). IP telephony just makes sense, in terms of both economics and infrastructure requirements. More and more businesses are installing VoIP systems, and the technology will continue to grow in popularity as it makes its way into our homes. Perhaps the biggest draws to VoIP for the home users that are making the switch are price and flexibility.
 VoIP phone users can make calls from anywhere there's a broadband connection. |
With VoIP, you can make a call from anywhere you have broadband connectivity. Since the IP phones or ATAs broadcast their info over the Internet, they can be administered by the provider anywhere there's a connection. So business travelers can take their phones or ATAs with them on trips and always have access to their home phone. Another alternative is the softphone. A softphone is client software that loads the VoIP service onto your desktop or laptop. The Vonage softphone has an interface on your screen that looks like a traditional telephone. As long as you have a headset/microphone, you can place calls from your laptop anywhere in the broadband-connected world.
Most VoIP companies are offering minute-rate plans structured like cell phones bills for as little as $30 per month. On the higher end, some offer unlimited plans for $79. With the elimination of unregulated charges and the suite of free features that are included with these plans, it can be quite a savings.
Most VoIP companies provide the features that normal phone companies charge extra for when they are added to your service plan. VoIP includes:
- caller ID
- Call waiting
- Call transfer
- Repeat dial
- Return call
- Three-way calling
- Forward the call to a particular number
- Send the call directly to voice mail
- Give the caller a busy signal
- Play a "not-in-service" message
- Send the caller to a funny rejection hotline
Now that we've looked at VoIP in a general sense, let's look more closely at the components that make the system work. To understand how VoIP really works and why it's an improvement over the traditional phone system, it helps to first understand how a traditional phone system works.
Intel to work on 22nm 8-core processor
In the 'Tick, Tock' model, Tock means a new CPU architecture every two years followed by the Tick which means die-shrinkWhile the world is still talking about Intel's shift from 45nm to 32nm, Intel has gone one step ahead and added a 22nm 8-core processor micro-architecture to their design roadmap.At the Intel Developer Forums, Intel talked about their 'Tick, Tock' model of chip development, transition from 45nm to 32nm and also briefed about the 22nm chip design plans. This update comes in the wake of Intel's talks with regional R&D engineers, who shared the project status for next 5 years. A French site called CanardPlus managed to grab the slide from Intel Developer Forum.In the 'Tick, Tock' model, Tock means a new CPU architecture every two years followed by the Tick which means die-shrink. Intel has announced the 45nm Nehalem's successor called Westmere (previously Nehalem-c) on 32nm die-shrink due for release in 2009. Westmere's special feature is the 8-core CPU design where each core will have its own 512 KB L2 cache, and general divided 16 MB cache at the third level.During 2011-12, Intel plans to release 'Ivy Bridge' as the first 22nm chip in 2011, and then follow it up with the 22nm micro-architecture, code named Haswell, that will carry 8-cores in 2012. The Ivy Bridge will be released after 'Sandy Bridge' (previously named Gesher) from the 32nm micro-architecture in 2010.Source: Techtree.com
Intel unveils first Made-in-India chip
The world’s largest chipmaker, Intel, on Tuesday unveiled its latest microprocessor for servers, designed entirely by its Bangalore team and developed in a record two years. The Intel R&D centre in Bangalore designed the Xeon 7400 series processor and it marked the first time that work on the 45 nanometre technology was taken up by the company outside its US home base. The six-core microprocessor is based on Intel’s x86 architecture.A 300-member team from Bangalore undertook the work with support from units in the US and Costa Rica, Intel India president Praveen Vishakantaiah said.Intel’s Bangalore R&D operations, which started a decade ago, have grown to become one of the largest centres outside the US. Besides the six-core microprocessor, the India R&D team has made important contributions to the teraflop and quad-core Xeon processor.Mr Vishakantaiah described it as a validation of the Bangalore operations and termed the country as a strategic destination as Intel India continues its focus on high-end technology development. The company said that upgradation costs in moving to the new server chips would be limited as the existing technology platform would support its new microprocessor. R Ravichandran, South Asia sales director Intel said the new processor would allow a10-fold reduction in power consumption while substantially increasing performance.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processors
Intel Corporation has extended its lead in the high-end server segment, setting new standards in virtualization performance with the launch of seven 45 nanometer (nm)-manufactured Intel Xeon Processor 7400 Series products. With up to six processing cores per chip and 16MB of shared cache memory, applications built for virtualized environments and data demanding workloads, such as databases, business intelligence, enterprise resource planning and server consolidation, experience dramatic performance increases of almost 50 percent in some cases.Platforms based on these processors can scale up to 16 processor "sockets" to deliver servers with up to 96 processing cores inside, offering tremendous scalability, ample computing threads, extensive memory resources and uncompromising reliability for enterprise data centers."The arrival of these processors extends Intel's lead in the high-end server segment," said Tom Kilroy, Intel vice president and general manager of the Digital Enterprise Group. "This new processor series helps IT manage increasingly complex enterprise server environments, providing a great opportunity to boost the scalable performance of multi-threaded applications within a stable platform infrastructure. With new features such as additional cores, large shared caches and advanced virtualization technologies, the Xeon 7400 series delivers record-breaking performance that will lead enterprises into the next wave of virtualization deployments."Several Performance RecordsThe Intel Xeon processor 7400 series has already set new four-socket and eight-socket world records on key industry benchmarks for virtualization, database, enterprise resource planning and e-commerce. IBM, following the record-setting 1.2 million tpmC result on its eight-socket System x* 3950 M2 platform, delivers an all-time high result for four-socket servers on System x* 3850 M2 server with a score of 684,508 tpmC on the TPC*-C benchmark, which measures database performance in an online transaction processing environment.An HP ProLiant DL580 G5 server on the SAP-SD benchmark that measures a server's sales and distribution capability on SAP software set a world record with a score of 5155 SD-Users. On the SPECint*_rate2006 benchmark, which measures a system's integer throughput performance, a Fujitsu-Siemens PRIMERGY* RX600 S4 server set a record with a score of 291. Several other records were also set on other key enterprise-related benchmarks.Virtualization Platform of ChoiceBased on Intel's 45nm high-k process technology and reinvented transistors that use a Hafnium-based, high-k metal gate formula, the new Xeon 7400 series delivers exceptional performance improvements with lower power consumption. This delivers almost 50 percent better performance in some cases, and up to 10 percent reduction in platform power, and has resulted in a world record VMmark (a virtualization benchmark) score for four-socket, 24 processing core servers at 18.49 on a Dell PowerEdge R900 platform using VMware ESX server v3.5.0.*These virtualization performance increases, and advanced virtualization capabilities such as Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) FlexMigration make Xeon 7400 series-based servers ideal platforms for customers to standardize their virtual infrastructures. FlexMigration enables VM migration from previous-, present- and future-generation Core microarchitecture-based platforms. This ensures investment protection for administrators seeking to establish pools of virtualized systems and using those pools to facilitate failover, disaster recovery, load balancing and optimizing server maintenance and downtime.Product Details, CustomersThese products offer frequencies up to 2.66 GHz and power levels down to 50 watts, including the first 6-core, x86 compatible 65-watt version which translates to just under 11 watts per processor core, with platforms available in rack, tower and highly dense blade form factors.The Xeon 7400 processor series is compatible with Intel's existing Xeon 7300 series platforms and the Intel 7300 chipset with memory capacity up to 256GB, allowing IT departments to quickly deploy the new processor into a stable platform infrastructure.Starting today, servers based on the Intel Xeon 7400 processor series are expected to be announced by more than 50 system manufacturers around the world, including four-socket rack servers from Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hitachi, HP, IBM, NEC, Sun, Supermicro and Unisys; four-socket blade servers from Egenera, HP, Sun and NEC; and servers that scale up to 16-sockets from IBM, NEC and Unisys.Many software vendors are also supporting Intel Xeon 7400 based platforms with innovative solutions enabling virtualization and scalable performance for the high-end enterprise, including Citrix, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, SAP and VMware.Pricing for the Xeon 7000 Sequence processors in quantities of 1,000 ranges from $856 to $2,729. For more details on the Intel Xeon 7400 processor series.
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor BX80570E8400
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor BX80570E8400Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is the new brand name for our next-generation energy-efficient performance desktop and mobile processors. Formerly known by their codenames Conroe and Merom, the Intel® Core™2 processors for desktop and mobile computers are based on the Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, Intel's new industry-leading foundation for all mobile, desktop and server platforms moving forward.
CES 2007 Best of Innovations HonoreeThe world's best microprocessor, Intel Core 2 Duo microprocessor. Innovations Design and Engineering Awards honor outstanding consumer electronics design and engineering.
Click Banner to view Intel Core 2 Duo Technology flash demo
By offering a single brand name for our mainstream desktop and laptop dual-core processors, Intel's branding strategy makes it simple for consumers and businesses to choose a powerful and energy efficient processor – and makes it easier for developers to "write once, run everywhere."
Monday, February 9, 2009
Intel® 945GT Express Chipset
The Intel® 945GT Express Chipset, combined with the Intel® Core™ Duo processor, delivers innovative features and new benefits for both home and business at low power consumption. These features provide enhanced manageability, security and responsiveness to meet evolving business needs.
The Intel 945GT Express Chipset offers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as PCI Express*, Serial ATA*, and Hi-Speed USB* 2.0, and the enhanced Gen 3.5 integrated graphics controller.
The Intel 945GT Express Chipset offers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as PCI Express*, Serial ATA*, and Hi-Speed USB* 2.0, and the enhanced Gen 3.5 integrated graphics controller.
Intel® 945P Express Chipset
Platforms based on the Intel® 945P Express Chipset, combined with the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, deliver innovative features and new benefits for both home and business.
The Intel 945P Express Chipset delivers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as dual-channel DDR2 memory, 1066/800 MHz system bus, PCI Express* x16 graphics port and PCI Express x1 I/O ports, next generation Serial ATA and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity. In addition, the Intel 945P Express Chipset includes support for Intel® Active Management Technology, the next generation of remote client network management for business.
Intel® 945P Express Chipset
Platforms based on the Intel® 945P Express Chipset, combined with the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, deliver innovative features and new benefits for both home and business.
The Intel 945P Express Chipset delivers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as dual-channel DDR2 memory, 1066/800 MHz system bus, PCI Express* x16 graphics port and PCI Express x1 I/O ports, next generation Serial ATA and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity. In addition, the Intel 945P Express Chipset includes support for Intel® Active Management Technology, the next generation of remote client network management for business.
Intel® 946PL/GZ Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® 946 Express Chipset family, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor or Intel® Pentium® D processor, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for everyday computing. Exciting improvements bring new capabilities to everyday value conscious users.
The Intel 946 Express Chipset family continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user.With advancements in graphics (available only on Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset), responsiveness and data protection, the Intel 946 Express Chipset family allows your PC to be the center of everyday computing and communication.
The Intel 946 Express Chipset family continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user.With advancements in graphics (available only on Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset), responsiveness and data protection, the Intel 946 Express Chipset family allows your PC to be the center of everyday computing and communication.
Intel® 945G Express Chipset
Platforms based on the Intel® 945G Express Chipset, combined with the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, deliver innovative features and new benefits for both home and business.
The Intel® 945G Express Chipset delivers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as dual-channel DDR2 memory, 1066/800 MHz system bus, PCI Express* x16 graphics port and PCI Express* x1 I/O ports, Serial ATA 3.0 Gbps and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity. This chipset includes the Intel® GMA 950 graphics core which provides responsive graphics performance and stunning video playback. In addition, the Intel® 945G Express Chipset includes support for Intel® Active Management Technology◊, the next generation of remote client network management.
Updated Intel® Graphics WDDM drivers supporting the Intel® 945G Express Chipset are included in the Windows Vista* February CTP build (build 5308). These drivers are only compatible with this build and should not be used with other versions of Windows Vista*.
The Intel® 945G Express Chipset delivers outstanding system performance through high-bandwidth interfaces such as dual-channel DDR2 memory, 1066/800 MHz system bus, PCI Express* x16 graphics port and PCI Express* x1 I/O ports, Serial ATA 3.0 Gbps and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity. This chipset includes the Intel® GMA 950 graphics core which provides responsive graphics performance and stunning video playback. In addition, the Intel® 945G Express Chipset includes support for Intel® Active Management Technology◊, the next generation of remote client network management.
Updated Intel® Graphics WDDM drivers supporting the Intel® 945G Express Chipset are included in the Windows Vista* February CTP build (build 5308). These drivers are only compatible with this build and should not be used with other versions of Windows Vista*.
Intel® 946PL/GZ Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® 946 Express Chipset family, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor or Intel® Pentium® D processor, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for everyday computing. Exciting improvements bring new capabilities to everyday value conscious users.
The Intel 946 Express Chipset family continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user.With advancements in graphics (available only on Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset), responsiveness and data protection, the Intel 946 Express Chipset family allows your PC to be the center of everyday computing and communication.
The Intel 946 Express Chipset family continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user.With advancements in graphics (available only on Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset), responsiveness and data protection, the Intel 946 Express Chipset family allows your PC to be the center of everyday computing and communication.
Intel® P965 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® P965 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo or Intel® Pentium® D processor, deliver incredible performance and innovative capabilities for digital home consumers.
With advancements in memory performance, responsiveness, power efficiency and data protection, the Intel® P965 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communication, and entertainment.
Faster System Performance
The Intel® P965 Express Chipset incorporates Intel® Fast Memory Access, an updated Memory Controller Hub (MCH) backbone architecture that significantly increases overall system performance through the optimization of available bandwidth and reduction of memory access latency. This updated MCH with Intel® Fast Memory Access also includes wider internal data buses that support dual-channel DDR2 memory technology at 800 MHz (up to 12.8 GB/s of peak memory bandwidth) for greater platform performance and memory flexibility.
With advancements in memory performance, responsiveness, power efficiency and data protection, the Intel® P965 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communication, and entertainment.
Faster System Performance
The Intel® P965 Express Chipset incorporates Intel® Fast Memory Access, an updated Memory Controller Hub (MCH) backbone architecture that significantly increases overall system performance through the optimization of available bandwidth and reduction of memory access latency. This updated MCH with Intel® Fast Memory Access also includes wider internal data buses that support dual-channel DDR2 memory technology at 800 MHz (up to 12.8 GB/s of peak memory bandwidth) for greater platform performance and memory flexibility.
Intel® G965 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the
Intel® G965 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor or Intel® Pentium® D processor, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for digital home consumers. Exciting improvements expand digital home capabilities, while enabling lower power and quieter systems.
Platforms based on the Intel® G965 Express chipset, when configured with memory devices of adequate amount and speed, meet all current requirements for the Windows Vista* Premium OS system logo.
The Intel® G965 Express Chipset continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user. With advancements in graphics, video, responsiveness and data protection, the Intel G965 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communication, and entertainment.
Intel® G965 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor or Intel® Pentium® D processor, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for digital home consumers. Exciting improvements expand digital home capabilities, while enabling lower power and quieter systems.
Platforms based on the Intel® G965 Express chipset, when configured with memory devices of adequate amount and speed, meet all current requirements for the Windows Vista* Premium OS system logo.
The Intel® G965 Express Chipset continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user. With advancements in graphics, video, responsiveness and data protection, the Intel G965 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communication, and entertainment.
Intel® Q965 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® Q965 or Q963 Express Chipsets, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor with Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)◊ or Intel® Pentium® D processor 900Δ sequence with Intel® VT deliver innovative capabilities and usages for both Small and Medium/Large businesses.
The Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets continue the Intel chipset legacy and extend it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the office computing environment. With advancements in manageability, graphics, stability, data protection and, optimizations to support the most advanced business operating systems, the Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets are designed to help businesses better manage costs, provide a safer computing environment and deploy more responsive PCs. The Intel® Q965 Express Chipset supports Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology1.
The Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets continue the Intel chipset legacy and extend it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the office computing environment. With advancements in manageability, graphics, stability, data protection and, optimizations to support the most advanced business operating systems, the Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets are designed to help businesses better manage costs, provide a safer computing environment and deploy more responsive PCs. The Intel® Q965 Express Chipset supports Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology1.
Intel® Q965 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® Q965 or Q963 Express Chipsets, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor with Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)◊ or Intel® Pentium® D processor 900Δ sequence with Intel® VT deliver innovative capabilities and usages for both Small and Medium/Large businesses.
The Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets continue the Intel chipset legacy and extend it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the office computing environment. With advancements in manageability, graphics, stability, data protection and, optimizations to support the most advanced business operating systems, the Intel Q965 and Q963 Express Chipsets are designed to help businesses better manage costs, provide a safer computing environment and deploy more responsive PCs. The Intel® Q965 Express Chipset supports Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology1.
Intel® G31 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms with the Intel® G31 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™ Duo or the Intel® Core™ Quad processor, deliver new technologies and innovating capabilities for consumers.
The Intel® G31 Express Chipset supports Intel's upcoming 45nm processors, enabling a scalable platform for value conscious consumers. With a 1333MHz system bus, DDR2 memory technology and support for Windows Vista* Premium, the Intel G31 Express chipset enables scalability and performance for everyday computing.
Intel® G33 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® G33 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor or Intel® Core™2 Quad processor, deliver new technologies and innovating capabilities for digital home consumers.
A faster 1333 MHz system bus, DDR3 memory technology and Intel® Fast Memory Access (Intel® FMA) deliver increased system performance for today's user needs. Lower power consumption and Intel® Quiet System Technology (Intel® QST) enable quieter systems and innovative form factors. The combination of complementary technologies provides platform scalability. Innovative I/O technologies speed up application load times, provide data protection, and improve overall system responsiveness. The Intel G33 Express Chipset enables a balanced digital home platform within your home computing environment.
The new Intel G33 Express Chipset supports Intel's upcoming 45nm processors. It combines performance with greater energy efficiency. The Intel G33 Express Chipset enables enhanced 3D and high-definition video technologies for a better end-user experience.
A faster 1333 MHz system bus, DDR3 memory technology and Intel® Fast Memory Access (Intel® FMA) deliver increased system performance for today's user needs. Lower power consumption and Intel® Quiet System Technology (Intel® QST) enable quieter systems and innovative form factors. The combination of complementary technologies provides platform scalability. Innovative I/O technologies speed up application load times, provide data protection, and improve overall system responsiveness. The Intel G33 Express Chipset enables a balanced digital home platform within your home computing environment.
The new Intel G33 Express Chipset supports Intel's upcoming 45nm processors. It combines performance with greater energy efficiency. The Intel G33 Express Chipset enables enhanced 3D and high-definition video technologies for a better end-user experience.
Intel® P31 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms with the Intel® P31 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo or the Intel® Core™2 Quad processor, deliver new technologies and innovating capabilities for consumers.
The Intel® P31 Express Chipset supports Intel's upcoming 45nm processors, enabling a scalable discrete platform for value conscious consumers. With a 1333 MHz system bus and DDR2 memory technology, the Intel® P31 Express chipset enables a scalable discrete platform for value conscious consumers.
Intel® P35 Express Chipset
The Intel® P35 Express Chipset continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the enthusiast home user.
The Intel P35 Express Chipset supports new technologies such as 1333 MHz System Bus speed, next-generation 45nm dual- and quad-core processors, and DDR3 memory to deliver increased system bandwidth and improved performance. With built-in design headroom, Intel® Fast Memory Access (Intel® FMA) and Intel® Turbo Memory, platforms based on the Intel P35 Express Chipset enable best-of-class performance and offer the best value for performance desktop computing.
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel P35 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo or Intel® Core™2 Quad processor, deliver new technologies and innovative capabilities for enthusiasts and digital home consumers.
The Intel P35 Express Chipset supports new technologies such as 1333 MHz System Bus speed, next-generation 45nm dual- and quad-core processors, and DDR3 memory to deliver increased system bandwidth and improved performance. With built-in design headroom, Intel® Fast Memory Access (Intel® FMA) and Intel® Turbo Memory, platforms based on the Intel P35 Express Chipset enable best-of-class performance and offer the best value for performance desktop computing.
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel P35 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo or Intel® Core™2 Quad processor, deliver new technologies and innovative capabilities for enthusiasts and digital home consumers.
Intel® Q35 and Q33 Express Chipsets
The Intel® Q35 and Q33 Express Chipsets continue the Intel chipset legacy and extend it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed for small and medium businesses.
The Intel Q35 and Q33 Express Chipsets will deliver support for Intel's upcoming 45nm processors. Intel is also bringing higher performance in combination with greater energy efficiency and supplying critical building blocks for continued Energy Star* support. The Intel Q35 Express Chipset is continuously advancing capabilities of the Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology by providing leading security and manageability.
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel Q35 and Q33 Express Chipsets, combined with either the Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Core 2 Quad processor, and with support for next-generation 45nm Intel® Core™2 processor family, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for digital home consumers and new levels of 3D and media performance while enabling lower power and quieter systems.
The Intel Q35 and Q33 Express Chipsets will deliver support for Intel's upcoming 45nm processors. Intel is also bringing higher performance in combination with greater energy efficiency and supplying critical building blocks for continued Energy Star* support. The Intel Q35 Express Chipset is continuously advancing capabilities of the Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology by providing leading security and manageability.
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel Q35 and Q33 Express Chipsets, combined with either the Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Core 2 Quad processor, and with support for next-generation 45nm Intel® Core™2 processor family, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for digital home consumers and new levels of 3D and media performance while enabling lower power and quieter systems.
Intel® G35 Express Chipset
The Intel® G35 Express Chipset continues the Intel® chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the enthusiast home user.
The Intel G35 Express Chipset continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user. With advancements in graphics, video, and system responsiveness, the Intel G35 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communication, and entertainment.
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel G35 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Core 2 Quad processor, and with support for next-generation 45nm Intel® Core™2 processor family, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for digital home consumers and new levels of 3D and media performance while enabling lower power and quieter systems.
The Intel G35 Express Chipset continues the Intel chipset legacy and extends it to new levels with purpose-built capabilities designed specifically to address the key needs of the home user. With advancements in graphics, video, and system responsiveness, the Intel G35 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communication, and entertainment.
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel G35 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Core 2 Quad processor, and with support for next-generation 45nm Intel® Core™2 processor family, deliver innovative capabilities and usages for digital home consumers and new levels of 3D and media performance while enabling lower power and quieter systems.
Intel® G41 Express Chipset
The Intel® G41 Express Chipset, when combined with the Intel® Core™2 processor family, delivers new technologies and innovative capabilities for digital home consumers. With major advancements in video, graphics, responsiveness and scalability, the Intel® G41 Express Chipset enables scalability and performance for everyday computing.
The Intel® G41 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 (Intel® GMA X4500), includes built-in support for smooth high-definition video playback without the need for add-in video cards or decoders. Intel® GMA X4500 comes with Intel® Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the visual experience.
In addition to video, the Intel® G41 Express Chipset delivers optimized 3D graphics performance and support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0 and OpenGL* 2.0, These graphics enhancements deliver the performance and compatibility you need for entertaining, everyday gameplay for the most popular game titles. The Intel® G41 Express Chipset includes support for the latest PC operating systems, including Windows Vista*.
The Intel® G41 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 (Intel® GMA X4500), includes built-in support for smooth high-definition video playback without the need for add-in video cards or decoders. Intel® GMA X4500 comes with Intel® Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the visual experience.
In addition to video, the Intel® G41 Express Chipset delivers optimized 3D graphics performance and support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0 and OpenGL* 2.0, These graphics enhancements deliver the performance and compatibility you need for entertaining, everyday gameplay for the most popular game titles. The Intel® G41 Express Chipset includes support for the latest PC operating systems, including Windows Vista*.
Intel® G43 Express Chipset
The Intel® G43 Express Chipset, when combined with the Intel® Core™2 processor family, delivers new technologies and innovative capabilities for digital home consumers. With major advancements in video, graphics, responsiveness and scalability, the Intel G43 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communications, and entertainment.
The Intel G43 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 (Intel® GMA X4500), includes built-in support for smooth high definition video playback without the need for add-in video cards or decoders. Intel GMA X4500 comes with Intel® Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the visual experience.
In addition to video, the Intel G43 Express Chipset delivers optimized 3D graphics performance and support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0 and OpenGL* 2.0. These graphics enhancements deliver the performance and compatibility you need for entertaining everyday gameplay for the most popular game titles. The Intel G43 Express Chipset includes support for the latest PC operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista.
The Intel G43 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 (Intel® GMA X4500), includes built-in support for smooth high definition video playback without the need for add-in video cards or decoders. Intel GMA X4500 comes with Intel® Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the visual experience.
In addition to video, the Intel G43 Express Chipset delivers optimized 3D graphics performance and support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0 and OpenGL* 2.0. These graphics enhancements deliver the performance and compatibility you need for entertaining everyday gameplay for the most popular game titles. The Intel G43 Express Chipset includes support for the latest PC operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista.
Intel® G45 Express Chipset
The Intel® G45 Express Chipset, when combined with the Intel® Core™2 processor family, delivers new technologies and innovative capabilities for digital home consumers. With major advancements in video, graphics, responsiveness and scalability, the Intel® G45 Express Chipset allows your PC to be the center of home computing, communications, and entertainment.
The Intel® G45 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (Intel® GMA X4500HD), includes built-in support for full 1080p high-definition video playback, including Blu-ray* disc movies. This powerful video engine provides users with a rich, new media experience to deliver smooth HD playback without the need for add-in video cards or decoders. Intel® GMA X4500HD comes with Intel® Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the visual experience.
In addition to video, the Intel® G45 Express Chipset delivers optimized 3D graphics performance and support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0 and OpenGL* 2.0. These graphics enhancements deliver the performance and compatibility you need for entertaining, everyday gameplay for the most popular game titles. The Intel® G45 Express Chipset includes support for the latest PC operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista*.
The Intel® G45 Express Chipset, with the next-generation Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (Intel® GMA X4500HD), includes built-in support for full 1080p high-definition video playback, including Blu-ray* disc movies. This powerful video engine provides users with a rich, new media experience to deliver smooth HD playback without the need for add-in video cards or decoders. Intel® GMA X4500HD comes with Intel® Clear Video Technology, a combination of video processing hardware and software technologies designed to enhance the visual experience.
In addition to video, the Intel® G45 Express Chipset delivers optimized 3D graphics performance and support for Microsoft DirectX* 10, Shader Model* 4.0 and OpenGL* 2.0. These graphics enhancements deliver the performance and compatibility you need for entertaining, everyday gameplay for the most popular game titles. The Intel® G45 Express Chipset includes support for the latest PC operating systems, including Microsoft Windows Vista*.
Intel® P43 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® P43 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Quad processor or Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, deliver performance features to mainstream platforms. The Intel P43 Express Chipset supports the latest 45nm Intel® Core™2 processor family at 1333MHz FSB, dual-channel DDR3, and PCI Express* 2.0 graphics.
The Intel® P43 Express Chipset continues to push innovation with capabilities designed to deliver quality, performance and headroom for mainstream PC platforms. The Intel P43 Express Chipset achieves this performance by supporting the latest Intel 45nm dual and quad core processors, enabling increased system bandwidth by supporting industry leading technologies, such as 1333MHz System Bus speed, PCI Express 2.0 graphics, Intel® Fast Memory Access and Intel® Turbo Memory.
The Intel® P43 Express Chipset continues to push innovation with capabilities designed to deliver quality, performance and headroom for mainstream PC platforms. The Intel P43 Express Chipset achieves this performance by supporting the latest Intel 45nm dual and quad core processors, enabling increased system bandwidth by supporting industry leading technologies, such as 1333MHz System Bus speed, PCI Express 2.0 graphics, Intel® Fast Memory Access and Intel® Turbo Memory.
Intel® P45 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® P45 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Quad processor or Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, drive performance and state-of-the-art technology to mainstream and performance platforms. The Intel® P45 Express Chipset supports the latest 45nm Intel® Core™2 processor family at 1333MHz FSB, dual-channel DDR3, Intel® Extreme Memory Profiles (Intel® XMP), dual PCI Express* 2.0 graphics and Intel® Extreme Tuning.
Intel® Q43 Express Chipset
The Intel® Q43 Express Chipset, when combined with the Intel® Core™2 processor family, delivers innovative capabilities and energy-efficient performance for business platforms.
Delivering industry-leading advancements in both security and manageability, the Intel Q43 Express Chipset provides standard manageability to meet basic management needs for business users.
By providing a small power footprint, the Intel Q43 Express Chipset allows designs to meet or exceed international power standards. The Intel Q43 Express Chipset includes standard manageability and an Intel® Trusted Platform Module.
Intel® Q45 Express Chipset
The Intel® Q45 Express Chipset, when combined with the Intel® Core™2 processor family, delivers innovative capabilities and energy-efficient performance for business platforms.
Delivering industry-leading advancements in both security and manageability, this chipset is designed to support Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology.
The new technologies featured in the Intel Q45 Express chipset are an Intel® Trusted Platform Module (Intel® TPM) and enhancements to Intel® Active Management Technology release 5.0 which include: Remote Alerts, secured access in Microsoft* NAP* environments, Access Monitor, Fast Call for Help, and Remote Scheduled Maintenance.
Delivering industry-leading advancements in both security and manageability, this chipset is designed to support Intel® Core™2 processor with vPro™ technology.
The new technologies featured in the Intel Q45 Express chipset are an Intel® Trusted Platform Module (Intel® TPM) and enhancements to Intel® Active Management Technology release 5.0 which include: Remote Alerts, secured access in Microsoft* NAP* environments, Access Monitor, Fast Call for Help, and Remote Scheduled Maintenance.
Intel® 955X Express Chipset
Platforms based on the Intel® 955X Express Chipset and Intel® Pentium® processor Extreme Edition deliver incredible digital entertainment experiences and meet the most demanding business applications of today and tomorrow.
The Intel 955X Express Chipset enables Intel's highest performance platforms, with support for the new Intel dual-core processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology◊, adding intelligence to help manage and prioritize four software threads simultaneously for the first time on desktop PCs. Additionally, this chipset supports key performance-optimized capabilities such as Intel® Memory Pipeline Technology (Intel® MPT), up to 8 GB memory addressability to help enable 64-bit computing, and ECC memory support.
Intel® 975X Express Chipset
Platforms based on the Intel® 975X Express Chipset and Intel® Pentium® processor Extreme Edition deliver incredible high performance for gaming, multimedia entertainment and demanding business applications of today and tomorrow.
The Intel 975X Express Chipset enables Intel's highest desktop performance platforms, with support for the latest Intel dual-core processors, adding intelligence to help manage and prioritize multiple (quad) threads received from the processor.
In addition to multiple thread support, the Intel 975X Express Chipset enables key performance-optimized capabilities such as support for multiple 2x8 graphics cards, Intel® Memory Pipeline Technology (Intel® MPT), 8GB memory addressability to enable 64-bit computing, and ECC memory support.
The Intel 975X Express Chipset enables Intel's highest desktop performance platforms, with support for the latest Intel dual-core processors, adding intelligence to help manage and prioritize multiple (quad) threads received from the processor.
In addition to multiple thread support, the Intel 975X Express Chipset enables key performance-optimized capabilities such as support for multiple 2x8 graphics cards, Intel® Memory Pipeline Technology (Intel® MPT), 8GB memory addressability to enable 64-bit computing, and ECC memory support.
Intel® X38 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® X38 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo, Intel® Core™2 Quad or Intel® Core™2 Extreme processors establish a new standard for performance. Designed with headroom and engineering passion, the Intel X38 Express Chipset supports new dual-channel DDR3 memory technology, next generation dualX16 PCI Express 2.0 and Intel® Extreme Tuning to unleash exceptional performance in today's gaming applications
With the growing imbalance between CPU and memory performance, it is critical to optimize the memory controller design to obtain the maximum possible performance from the memory subsystem. The redesigned Intel X38 Express Chipset Memory Controller Hub (MCH) architecture significantly increases overall system performance through the optimization of available bandwidth with the new 1333 MHz system bus and reduction of memory access latency with Intel® Fast Memory Access. These technology breakthroughs result in optimized system architecture with built-in intelligence, greatly improving system memory performance. The updated MCH also includes support for Intel 45nm next-generation Intel Core 2 processor family and wider internal data buses that support dual-channel DDR3 memory technology at 1333 MHz.
With the growing imbalance between CPU and memory performance, it is critical to optimize the memory controller design to obtain the maximum possible performance from the memory subsystem. The redesigned Intel X38 Express Chipset Memory Controller Hub (MCH) architecture significantly increases overall system performance through the optimization of available bandwidth with the new 1333 MHz system bus and reduction of memory access latency with Intel® Fast Memory Access. These technology breakthroughs result in optimized system architecture with built-in intelligence, greatly improving system memory performance. The updated MCH also includes support for Intel 45nm next-generation Intel Core 2 processor family and wider internal data buses that support dual-channel DDR3 memory technology at 1333 MHz.
Intel® X48 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® X48 Express Chipset, combined with either the Intel® Core™2 Duo, Intel® Core™2 Quad or Intel® Core™2 Extreme processors establish a new standard for performance. Designed to push the limits, the Intel® X48 Express Chipset supports the new Intel® QX9770 Core™2 Extreme processor with 1600 FSB, dual-channel XMP 1600 MHz DDR3 memory, next generation dual X16 PCI Express 2.0 and Intel® Extreme Tuning to extract the maximum platform performance.
With the growing imbalance between CPU and memory performance, it is critical to optimize the memory controller design to obtain the maximum possible performance from the memory subsystem. The redesigned Intel X48 Express Chipset Memory Controller Hub (MCH) architecture significantly increases overall system performance through the optimization of available bandwidth with the new 1600 MHz system bus and reduction of memory access latency with Intel® Fast Memory Access. These technology breakthroughs result in optimized system architecture with built-in intelligence, greatly improving system memory performance. The updated MCH also includes support for Intel 45nm next-generation Intel Core 2 processor family and wider internal data buses that support dual-channel DDR3 memory technology at 1600 MHz.
Intel® X58 Express Chipset
Desktop PC platforms based on the Intel® X58 Express Chipset, combined with the Intel® Core™ i7 processor family, drive breakthrough performance and state-of-the-art technology to performance and mainstream platforms.
The Intel X58 Express Chipset supports the latest 45nm Intel Core i7 processor family at 6.4 GT/s and 4.8 GT/s speeds via the Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (Intel® QPI). Additionally, this chipset delivers dual x16 or quad x8 PCI Express* 2.0 graphics card support, and support for Intel® High Performance Solid State Drives on ICH10 and ICH10R consumer SKUs.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Embedded systems
In February 2002, AMD acquired Alchemy Semiconductor and continued its line of processor in MIPS architecture processors, targets the hand-held and Portable media player markets. On 13 June 2006, AMD officially announced that the Alchemy processor line was transferred to Raza Microelectronics Inc.[20]
In August 2003, AMD also purchased the Geode business which was originally the Cyrix MediaGX from National Semiconductor to augment its existing line of embedded x86 processor products. During the second quarter of 2004, it launched new low-power Geode NX processors based on the K7 Thoroughbred architecture with speeds of fanless processors 667 MHz and 1 GHz, and 1.4 GHz processor with fan, of TDP 25 W. This technology is used in a variety of embedded systems (Casino slot machines and customer kiosks for instance), several UMPC designs in Asia markets, as well as the OLPC XO-1 computer, an inexpensive laptop computer intended to be distributed to children in developing countries around the world.
For the past couple of years AMD has been introducing 64-bit processors into its embedded product line starting with the AMD Opteron processor. Leveraging the high throughput enabled through HyperTransport and the Direct Connect Architecture these server class processors have been targeted at high end telecom and storage applications. In 2006 AMD added the AMD Athlon, AMD Turion and Mobile AMD Sempron processors to its embedded product line. Leveraging the same 64-bit instruction set and Direct Connect Architecture as the AMD Opteron but at lower power levels and in smaller footprint packages[citation needed], these processors were well suited to a variety of traditional embedded applications. Throughout 2007 and into 2008 AMD has continued to add both single-core Mobile AMD Sempron and AMD Athlon processors and dual-core AMD Athlon X2 and AMD Turion processors to its embedded product line and now offers embedded 64-bit solutions starting with 8W TDP Mobile AMD Sempron and AMD Athlon processors for fan-less designs up to multi-processor systems leveraging multi-core AMD Opteron processors all supporting longer than standard availability.
In April 2007, AMD announced the release of the M690T integrated graphics chipset for embedded designs. This enabled AMD to offer complete processor and chipset solutions targeted at embedded applications requiring high performance 3D and video such as emerging digital signage, kiosk and Point of Sale applications. The M690T was followed by the M690E specifically for embedded applications which removed the TV output, which required Macrovision licensing for OEMs, and enabled native support for dual TMDS outputs, enabling dual independent DVI interfaces.
In August 2003, AMD also purchased the Geode business which was originally the Cyrix MediaGX from National Semiconductor to augment its existing line of embedded x86 processor products. During the second quarter of 2004, it launched new low-power Geode NX processors based on the K7 Thoroughbred architecture with speeds of fanless processors 667 MHz and 1 GHz, and 1.4 GHz processor with fan, of TDP 25 W. This technology is used in a variety of embedded systems (Casino slot machines and customer kiosks for instance), several UMPC designs in Asia markets, as well as the OLPC XO-1 computer, an inexpensive laptop computer intended to be distributed to children in developing countries around the world.
For the past couple of years AMD has been introducing 64-bit processors into its embedded product line starting with the AMD Opteron processor. Leveraging the high throughput enabled through HyperTransport and the Direct Connect Architecture these server class processors have been targeted at high end telecom and storage applications. In 2006 AMD added the AMD Athlon, AMD Turion and Mobile AMD Sempron processors to its embedded product line. Leveraging the same 64-bit instruction set and Direct Connect Architecture as the AMD Opteron but at lower power levels and in smaller footprint packages[citation needed], these processors were well suited to a variety of traditional embedded applications. Throughout 2007 and into 2008 AMD has continued to add both single-core Mobile AMD Sempron and AMD Athlon processors and dual-core AMD Athlon X2 and AMD Turion processors to its embedded product line and now offers embedded 64-bit solutions starting with 8W TDP Mobile AMD Sempron and AMD Athlon processors for fan-less designs up to multi-processor systems leveraging multi-core AMD Opteron processors all supporting longer than standard availability.
In April 2007, AMD announced the release of the M690T integrated graphics chipset for embedded designs. This enabled AMD to offer complete processor and chipset solutions targeted at embedded applications requiring high performance 3D and video such as emerging digital signage, kiosk and Point of Sale applications. The M690T was followed by the M690E specifically for embedded applications which removed the TV output, which required Macrovision licensing for OEMs, and enabled native support for dual TMDS outputs, enabling dual independent DVI interfaces.
Commercial platform
The first AMD server/workstation platform after ATI acquisition is scheduled to be released on 2009 timeframe. Codenamed Piranha, the server platform consists of AMD 870S/890S + SB700S server chipsets, supporting Socket G3 processors starting from 45 nm processors codenamed Montreal, with the implementation of G3MX memory buffering technology.
AMD's virtualization extension to the 64-bit x86 architecture is named AMD Virtualization, also known by the abbreviation AMD-V, and is sometimes referred to by the code name "Pacifica". AMD processors using Socket AM2, Socket S1, and Socket F include AMD Virtualization support. AMD Virtualization is also supported by release two (8200, 2200 and 1200 series) of the Opteron processors. The third generation (8300 and 2300 series) of Opteron processors will see an update in virtualization technology, specifically the Rapid Virtualization Indexing (also known by the development name Nested Page Tables), alongside the Tagged TLB and Device Exclusion Vector (DEV).
AMD also promotes the "AMD I/O Virtualization Technology" (also known as IOMMU) for I/O virtualization.[14] The AMD IOMMU specification has been updated to version 1.2.[15] The specification describes the use of a HyperTransport architecture.
AMD's commercial initiatives include the following:
• AMD Trinity, provides support for virtualization, security and management. Key features include AMD-V technology, codenamed Presidio trusted computing platform technology, I/O Virtualization and Open Management Partition.[16]
• AMD Raiden, future clients similar to the Jack PC[17] to be connected through network to a blade server for central management, to reduce client form factor sizes with AMD Trinity features.
• Torrenza, coprocessors support through interconnects such as HyperTransport as PCI Express (though more focus was at HyperTransport enabled coprocessors), also opening processor socket architecture to other manufacturers, Sun and IBM are among the supporting consortium, with rumoured POWER7 processors would be socket-compatible to future Opteron processors. The move made rival Intel responded with the open of Front Side Bus (FSB) architecture as well as Geneseo,[18] a collaboration project with IBM for coprocessors connected through PCI Express. Note that AMD positioned Torrenza for commercial segment, whilst Intel positioned Geneseo for all segments including consumer desktop segments[citation needed].
• Various certified systems programs and platforms: AMD Commercial Stable Image Platform (CSIP), together with AMD Validated Server program, AMD True Server Solutions, AMD Thermally Tested Barebones Platforms and AMD Validated Server Program, providing certified systems for business from AMD.
Desktop platforms
Starting in 2007, AMD, following Intel, began using codenames for its desktop platforms. The platforms, unlike Intel's approach, will refresh every year, putting focus on platform specialization. The platform includes components as AMD processors, chipsets, ATI graphics and other features, but continued to the open platform approach, and welcome components from other vendors such as VIA, SiS, and Nvidia, as well as wireless product vendors.
Updates to the platform includes the implemtation of IOMMU I/O Virtualization with 45 nm generation of processors, and the AMD 800 chipset series in 2009.[19]
AMD's virtualization extension to the 64-bit x86 architecture is named AMD Virtualization, also known by the abbreviation AMD-V, and is sometimes referred to by the code name "Pacifica". AMD processors using Socket AM2, Socket S1, and Socket F include AMD Virtualization support. AMD Virtualization is also supported by release two (8200, 2200 and 1200 series) of the Opteron processors. The third generation (8300 and 2300 series) of Opteron processors will see an update in virtualization technology, specifically the Rapid Virtualization Indexing (also known by the development name Nested Page Tables), alongside the Tagged TLB and Device Exclusion Vector (DEV).
AMD also promotes the "AMD I/O Virtualization Technology" (also known as IOMMU) for I/O virtualization.[14] The AMD IOMMU specification has been updated to version 1.2.[15] The specification describes the use of a HyperTransport architecture.
AMD's commercial initiatives include the following:
• AMD Trinity, provides support for virtualization, security and management. Key features include AMD-V technology, codenamed Presidio trusted computing platform technology, I/O Virtualization and Open Management Partition.[16]
• AMD Raiden, future clients similar to the Jack PC[17] to be connected through network to a blade server for central management, to reduce client form factor sizes with AMD Trinity features.
• Torrenza, coprocessors support through interconnects such as HyperTransport as PCI Express (though more focus was at HyperTransport enabled coprocessors), also opening processor socket architecture to other manufacturers, Sun and IBM are among the supporting consortium, with rumoured POWER7 processors would be socket-compatible to future Opteron processors. The move made rival Intel responded with the open of Front Side Bus (FSB) architecture as well as Geneseo,[18] a collaboration project with IBM for coprocessors connected through PCI Express. Note that AMD positioned Torrenza for commercial segment, whilst Intel positioned Geneseo for all segments including consumer desktop segments[citation needed].
• Various certified systems programs and platforms: AMD Commercial Stable Image Platform (CSIP), together with AMD Validated Server program, AMD True Server Solutions, AMD Thermally Tested Barebones Platforms and AMD Validated Server Program, providing certified systems for business from AMD.
Desktop platforms
Starting in 2007, AMD, following Intel, began using codenames for its desktop platforms. The platforms, unlike Intel's approach, will refresh every year, putting focus on platform specialization. The platform includes components as AMD processors, chipsets, ATI graphics and other features, but continued to the open platform approach, and welcome components from other vendors such as VIA, SiS, and Nvidia, as well as wireless product vendors.
Updates to the platform includes the implemtation of IOMMU I/O Virtualization with 45 nm generation of processors, and the AMD 800 chipset series in 2009.[19]
Other platforms and technologies
AMD chipsets
Before the launch of Athlon 64 processors in 2003, AMD designed chipsets for their processors spanning the K6 and K7 processor generations. The chipsets include the AMD-640, AMD-751 and the AMD-761 chipsets. The situation changed in 2003 with the release of Athlon 64 processors, and AMD chose not to further design its own chipsets for its desktop processors while opening the desktop platform to allow other firms to design chipsets. This is the "Open Platform Initiative". The initiative was proven to be a success, with many firms such as Nvidia, ATI, VIA and SiS developing their own chipset for Athlon 64 processors and later Athlon 64 X2 and Athlon 64 FX processors, including the Quad FX platform chipset from Nvidia.
The initiative went further with the release of Opteron server processors as AMD stopped the design of server chipsets in 2004 after releasing the AMD-8111 chipset, and again opened the server platform for firms to develop chipsets for Opteron processors. As of today, Nvidia and Broadcom are the sole designing firms of server chipsets for Opteron processors.
As the company completed the acquisition of ATI Technologies in 2006, the firm gained the ATI design team for chipsets which previously designed the Radeon Xpress 200 and the Radeon Xpress 3200 chipsets. AMD then renamed the chipsets for AMD processors under AMD branding (for instance, the CrossFire Xpress 3200 chipset was renamed as AMD 580X CrossFire chipset). In February 2007, AMD announced the first AMD-branded chipset since 2004 with the release of the AMD 690G chipset (previously under the development codename RS690), targeted at mainstream IGP computing. It was the industry's first to implement a HDMI 1.2 port on motherboards, shipping for more than a million units. While ATI had aimed at releasing an Intel IGP chipset, the plan was scrapped and the inventories of Radeon Xpress 1250 (codenamed RS600, sold under ATI brand) was sold to two OEMs, Abit and AsRock. Although AMD states the firm will still produce Intel chipsets, Intel had not granted the license of 1333 MHz FSB to ATI. Considering the rivalry between AMD and Intel, AMD is less likely to release more Intel chipset designs in the foreseeable future.
On November 15, 2007, AMD has announced a new chipset series portfolio, the AMD 7-Series chipsets, covering from enthusiast multi-graphics segment to value IGP segment, to replace the AMD 480/570/580 chipsets and AMD 690 series chipsets. Marking AMD's first enthusiast multi-graphics chipset. Discrete graphics chipsets were launched on November 15, 2007 as part of the codenamed Spider desktop platform, and IGP chipsets were launched at a later time in Spring 2008 as part of the codenamed Cartwheel platform.
AMD will also return to the server chipsets market with the next-generation AMD 800S series server chipsets, scheduled to be released in 2009 timeframe.
AMD Live!
AMD LIVE! is a platform marketing initiative focusing the consumer electronics segment, with a recently announced Active TV initiative for streaming Internet videos from web video services such as YouTube, into AMD Live! PC as well as connected digital TVs, together with a scheme for an ecosystem of certified peripherals for the ease of customers to identify peripherals for AMD Live! systems for digital home experience, called "AMD Live! Ready".[12]
AMD Quad FX platform
The AMD Quad FX platform, being an extreme enthusiast platform, allows two processors to connect through HyperTransport, which is a similar setup to dual-processor (2P) servers, excluding the use of buffered memory/registered memory DIMM modules, and a server motherboard, the current setup includes two Athlon 64 FX FX-70 series processors and a special motherboard. AMD pushed the platform for the surging demands for what AMD calls "megatasking" for true enthusiasts,[13] the ability to do more tasks on one single system. The platform refreshes with the introduction of Phenom FX processors and the next-generation RD790 chipset, codenamed "FASN8".
Before the launch of Athlon 64 processors in 2003, AMD designed chipsets for their processors spanning the K6 and K7 processor generations. The chipsets include the AMD-640, AMD-751 and the AMD-761 chipsets. The situation changed in 2003 with the release of Athlon 64 processors, and AMD chose not to further design its own chipsets for its desktop processors while opening the desktop platform to allow other firms to design chipsets. This is the "Open Platform Initiative". The initiative was proven to be a success, with many firms such as Nvidia, ATI, VIA and SiS developing their own chipset for Athlon 64 processors and later Athlon 64 X2 and Athlon 64 FX processors, including the Quad FX platform chipset from Nvidia.
The initiative went further with the release of Opteron server processors as AMD stopped the design of server chipsets in 2004 after releasing the AMD-8111 chipset, and again opened the server platform for firms to develop chipsets for Opteron processors. As of today, Nvidia and Broadcom are the sole designing firms of server chipsets for Opteron processors.
As the company completed the acquisition of ATI Technologies in 2006, the firm gained the ATI design team for chipsets which previously designed the Radeon Xpress 200 and the Radeon Xpress 3200 chipsets. AMD then renamed the chipsets for AMD processors under AMD branding (for instance, the CrossFire Xpress 3200 chipset was renamed as AMD 580X CrossFire chipset). In February 2007, AMD announced the first AMD-branded chipset since 2004 with the release of the AMD 690G chipset (previously under the development codename RS690), targeted at mainstream IGP computing. It was the industry's first to implement a HDMI 1.2 port on motherboards, shipping for more than a million units. While ATI had aimed at releasing an Intel IGP chipset, the plan was scrapped and the inventories of Radeon Xpress 1250 (codenamed RS600, sold under ATI brand) was sold to two OEMs, Abit and AsRock. Although AMD states the firm will still produce Intel chipsets, Intel had not granted the license of 1333 MHz FSB to ATI. Considering the rivalry between AMD and Intel, AMD is less likely to release more Intel chipset designs in the foreseeable future.
On November 15, 2007, AMD has announced a new chipset series portfolio, the AMD 7-Series chipsets, covering from enthusiast multi-graphics segment to value IGP segment, to replace the AMD 480/570/580 chipsets and AMD 690 series chipsets. Marking AMD's first enthusiast multi-graphics chipset. Discrete graphics chipsets were launched on November 15, 2007 as part of the codenamed Spider desktop platform, and IGP chipsets were launched at a later time in Spring 2008 as part of the codenamed Cartwheel platform.
AMD will also return to the server chipsets market with the next-generation AMD 800S series server chipsets, scheduled to be released in 2009 timeframe.
AMD Live!
AMD LIVE! is a platform marketing initiative focusing the consumer electronics segment, with a recently announced Active TV initiative for streaming Internet videos from web video services such as YouTube, into AMD Live! PC as well as connected digital TVs, together with a scheme for an ecosystem of certified peripherals for the ease of customers to identify peripherals for AMD Live! systems for digital home experience, called "AMD Live! Ready".[12]
AMD Quad FX platform
The AMD Quad FX platform, being an extreme enthusiast platform, allows two processors to connect through HyperTransport, which is a similar setup to dual-processor (2P) servers, excluding the use of buffered memory/registered memory DIMM modules, and a server motherboard, the current setup includes two Athlon 64 FX FX-70 series processors and a special motherboard. AMD pushed the platform for the surging demands for what AMD calls "megatasking" for true enthusiasts,[13] the ability to do more tasks on one single system. The platform refreshes with the introduction of Phenom FX processors and the next-generation RD790 chipset, codenamed "FASN8".
Processor market history
IBM PC and the x86 architecture
In February 1982, AMD signed a contract with Intel, becoming a licensed second-source manufacturer of 8086 and 8088 processors. IBM wanted to use the Intel 8088 in its IBM PC, but IBM's policy at the time was to require at least two sources for its chips. AMD later produced the Am286 under the same arrangement, but Intel canceled the agreement in 1986 and refused to convey technical details of the i386 part. AMD challenged Intel's decision to cancel the agreement and won in arbitration, but Intel disputed this decision. A long legal dispute followed, ending in 1994 when the Supreme Court of California sided with AMD. Subsequent legal disputes centered on whether AMD had legal rights to use derivatives of Intel's microcode. In the face of uncertainty, AMD was forced to develop "clean room" versions of Intel code.
In 1991, AMD released the Am386, its clone of the Intel 386 processor. It took less than a year for the company to sell a million units. Later, the Am486 was used by a number of large original equipment manufacturers, including Compaq, and proved popular. Another Am486-based product, the Am5x86, continued AMD's success as a low-price alternative. However, as product cycles shortened in the PC industry, the process of reverse engineering Intel's products became an ever less viable strategy for AMD.
K5, K6 and Athlon
AMD's first completely in-house x86 processor was the K5 which was launched in 1996.[4] The "K" was a reference to "Kryptonite", which from comic book lore, was the only substance that could harm Superman, with a clear reference to Intel, which dominated in the market at the time, as "Superman".[5]
In 1996, AMD purchased NexGen specifically for the rights to their Nx series of x86-compatible processors. AMD gave the NexGen design team their own building, left them alone, and gave them time and money to rework the Nx686. The result was the K6 processor, introduced in 1997.
The K7 was AMD's seventh generation x86 processor, making its debut on June 23, 1999, under the brand name Athlon. On October 9, 2001 the Athlon XP was released, followed by the Athlon XP with 512KB L2 Cache on February 10, 2003.[6]
Athlon 64, Opteron and Phenom
The K8 was a major revision of the K7 architecture, with the most notable features being the addition of a 64-bit extension to the x86 instruction set (officially called AMD64), the incorporation of an on-chip memory controller, and the implementation of an extremely high performance point-to-point interconnect called HyperTransport, as part of the Direct Connect Architecture. The technology was initially launched as the Opteron server-oriented processor.[7] Shortly thereafter it was incorporated into a product for desktop PCs, branded Athlon 64.[8]
AMD released the first dual core Opteron, an x86-based server CPU, on April 21, 2005.[9] The first desktop-based dual core processor family — the Athlon 64 X2 — came a month later.[10] In early May 2007, AMD had abandoned the string "64" in its dual-core desktop product branding, becoming Athlon X2, downplaying the significance of 64-bit computing in its processors while upcoming updates involves some of the improvements to the microarchitecture, and a shift of target market from mainstream desktop systems to value dual-core desktop systems. AMD has also started to release dual-core Sempron processors in early 2008 exclusively in China, branded as Sempron 2000 series, with lower HyperTransport speed and smaller L2 cache, thus the firm completes its dual-core product portfolio for each market segment.
The latest AMD microprocessor architecture, known as K10, became the successor to the K8 microarchitecture. The first processors released on this architecture were introduced on September 10, 2007 consisting of nine quad-core Third Generation Opteron processors. This was followed by the Phenom processor for desktop. K10 processors will come in dual, triple-core,[11] and quad-core versions with all cores on one single die.
Fusion
After the merger between AMD and ATI, an initiative codenamed Fusion was announced that merges a CPU and GPU on one chip, including a minimum 16 lane PCI Express link to accommodate external PCI Express peripherals, thereby eliminating the requirement of a northbridge chip completely from the motherboard. AMD will move to a modular design methodology named "M-SPACE", where two new processor cores, codenamed "Bulldozer" and "Bobcat" will be released in the 2009 timeframe.
While very little preliminary information exists even in AMD's Technology Analyst Day 2007, both cores are to be built from the ground up. The Bulldozer core focused on 10 watt to 100 watt products, with optimizations for performance-per-watt ratios and HPC applications and includes newly announced SSE5 instructions, while the Bobcat core will focus on 1 watt to 10 watt products, given that the core is a simplified x86 core to reduce power draw. Both of the cores will be able to incorporate full DirectX compatible GPU core(s) under the Fusion label, or as standalone products as a general purpose CPU.
In February 1982, AMD signed a contract with Intel, becoming a licensed second-source manufacturer of 8086 and 8088 processors. IBM wanted to use the Intel 8088 in its IBM PC, but IBM's policy at the time was to require at least two sources for its chips. AMD later produced the Am286 under the same arrangement, but Intel canceled the agreement in 1986 and refused to convey technical details of the i386 part. AMD challenged Intel's decision to cancel the agreement and won in arbitration, but Intel disputed this decision. A long legal dispute followed, ending in 1994 when the Supreme Court of California sided with AMD. Subsequent legal disputes centered on whether AMD had legal rights to use derivatives of Intel's microcode. In the face of uncertainty, AMD was forced to develop "clean room" versions of Intel code.
In 1991, AMD released the Am386, its clone of the Intel 386 processor. It took less than a year for the company to sell a million units. Later, the Am486 was used by a number of large original equipment manufacturers, including Compaq, and proved popular. Another Am486-based product, the Am5x86, continued AMD's success as a low-price alternative. However, as product cycles shortened in the PC industry, the process of reverse engineering Intel's products became an ever less viable strategy for AMD.
K5, K6 and Athlon
AMD's first completely in-house x86 processor was the K5 which was launched in 1996.[4] The "K" was a reference to "Kryptonite", which from comic book lore, was the only substance that could harm Superman, with a clear reference to Intel, which dominated in the market at the time, as "Superman".[5]
In 1996, AMD purchased NexGen specifically for the rights to their Nx series of x86-compatible processors. AMD gave the NexGen design team their own building, left them alone, and gave them time and money to rework the Nx686. The result was the K6 processor, introduced in 1997.
The K7 was AMD's seventh generation x86 processor, making its debut on June 23, 1999, under the brand name Athlon. On October 9, 2001 the Athlon XP was released, followed by the Athlon XP with 512KB L2 Cache on February 10, 2003.[6]
Athlon 64, Opteron and Phenom
The K8 was a major revision of the K7 architecture, with the most notable features being the addition of a 64-bit extension to the x86 instruction set (officially called AMD64), the incorporation of an on-chip memory controller, and the implementation of an extremely high performance point-to-point interconnect called HyperTransport, as part of the Direct Connect Architecture. The technology was initially launched as the Opteron server-oriented processor.[7] Shortly thereafter it was incorporated into a product for desktop PCs, branded Athlon 64.[8]
AMD released the first dual core Opteron, an x86-based server CPU, on April 21, 2005.[9] The first desktop-based dual core processor family — the Athlon 64 X2 — came a month later.[10] In early May 2007, AMD had abandoned the string "64" in its dual-core desktop product branding, becoming Athlon X2, downplaying the significance of 64-bit computing in its processors while upcoming updates involves some of the improvements to the microarchitecture, and a shift of target market from mainstream desktop systems to value dual-core desktop systems. AMD has also started to release dual-core Sempron processors in early 2008 exclusively in China, branded as Sempron 2000 series, with lower HyperTransport speed and smaller L2 cache, thus the firm completes its dual-core product portfolio for each market segment.
The latest AMD microprocessor architecture, known as K10, became the successor to the K8 microarchitecture. The first processors released on this architecture were introduced on September 10, 2007 consisting of nine quad-core Third Generation Opteron processors. This was followed by the Phenom processor for desktop. K10 processors will come in dual, triple-core,[11] and quad-core versions with all cores on one single die.
Fusion
After the merger between AMD and ATI, an initiative codenamed Fusion was announced that merges a CPU and GPU on one chip, including a minimum 16 lane PCI Express link to accommodate external PCI Express peripherals, thereby eliminating the requirement of a northbridge chip completely from the motherboard. AMD will move to a modular design methodology named "M-SPACE", where two new processor cores, codenamed "Bulldozer" and "Bobcat" will be released in the 2009 timeframe.
While very little preliminary information exists even in AMD's Technology Analyst Day 2007, both cores are to be built from the ground up. The Bulldozer core focused on 10 watt to 100 watt products, with optimizations for performance-per-watt ratios and HPC applications and includes newly announced SSE5 instructions, while the Bobcat core will focus on 1 watt to 10 watt products, given that the core is a simplified x86 core to reduce power draw. Both of the cores will be able to incorporate full DirectX compatible GPU core(s) under the Fusion label, or as standalone products as a general purpose CPU.
Corporate history
Advanced Micro Devices was founded on May 1, 1969, by a group of former executives from Fairchild Semiconductor, including Jerry Sanders, III, Ed Turney, John Carey, Sven Simonsen, Jack Gifford and three members from Gifford's team, Frank Botte, Jim Giles, and Larry Stenger. The company began as a producer of logic chips, then entered the RAM chip business in 1975. That same year, it introduced a reverse-engineered clone of the Intel 8080 microprocessor. During this period, AMD also designed and produced a series of bit-slice processor elements (Am2900, Am29116, Am293xx) which were used in various minicomputer designs.
During this time, AMD attempted to embrace the perceived shift towards RISC with their own AMD 29K processor, and they attempted to diversify into graphics and audio devices as well as EPROM memory. It had some success in the mid-80s with the AMD7910 and AMD7911 "World Chip" FSK modem, one of the first multistandard devices that covered both Bell and CCITT tones at up to 1200 baud half duplex or 300/300 full duplex. While the AMD 29K survived as an embedded processor and AMD spinoff Spansion continues to make industry leading flash memory, AMD was not as successful with its other endeavors. AMD decided to switch gears and concentrate solely on Intel-compatible microprocessors and flash memory. This put them in direct competition with Intel for x86 compatible processors and their flash memory secondary markets.
It has been reported in December 2006 that AMD along with its main rival in the graphics industry nVidia, received subpoenas from the Justice Department regarding possible antitrust violations in the graphics card industry, including the act of fixing prices.[2]
AMD announced a merger with ATI Technologies on July 24, 2006. AMD paid $4.3 billion in cash and 58 million shares of its stock for a total of US$5.4 billion. The merger completed on October 25, 2006[3] and ATI is now part of AMD.
During this time, AMD attempted to embrace the perceived shift towards RISC with their own AMD 29K processor, and they attempted to diversify into graphics and audio devices as well as EPROM memory. It had some success in the mid-80s with the AMD7910 and AMD7911 "World Chip" FSK modem, one of the first multistandard devices that covered both Bell and CCITT tones at up to 1200 baud half duplex or 300/300 full duplex. While the AMD 29K survived as an embedded processor and AMD spinoff Spansion continues to make industry leading flash memory, AMD was not as successful with its other endeavors. AMD decided to switch gears and concentrate solely on Intel-compatible microprocessors and flash memory. This put them in direct competition with Intel for x86 compatible processors and their flash memory secondary markets.
It has been reported in December 2006 that AMD along with its main rival in the graphics industry nVidia, received subpoenas from the Justice Department regarding possible antitrust violations in the graphics card industry, including the act of fixing prices.[2]
AMD announced a merger with ATI Technologies on July 24, 2006. AMD paid $4.3 billion in cash and 58 million shares of its stock for a total of US$5.4 billion. The merger completed on October 25, 2006[3] and ATI is now part of AMD.
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