AMD sets out quad-core stall

AMD has revealed plans to bring quad-core chips to the market by mid-2007. 

The multi-core processors will be available for servers, workstations and high-end desktops.

AMD will use its 65nm Silicon-on-Insulator process to build the new chips, which reduces current leakage by placing an insulating layer between the silicon and the transistor.

To reduce power consumption, the processors will be able to dynamically vary the frequency at which each core runs depending on the workload.

This capability will also be included in dual-core processors designed for mainstream desktop machines and notebooks.

Mobile chips will be able to dynamically power one or both cores on or off, improving battery life.

A platform for enthusiasts, codenamed 4x4, will also provide a four-core system by combining two dual-core processors.

The 4x4 platform has been designed to accommodate the quad-core chips when they launch, providing eight cores for gaming, digital video and processor-intensive applications.

AMD demonstrated the 65nm products built in its newest Fab 36 facility in Dresden using technology jointly developed with IBM. 

The company plans to move to 45nm technology 18 months after the initial introduction of 65nm products.

See also:

AMD to build $2.5bn factory in Germany

Chipmaker seeks to steal Intel's business  30 May 2006

Dell flips to AMD for high-end servers

Vendor ends exclusive Intel love affair  19 May 2006

Opterons sink over floating point problems

AMD admits to issues with a limited number of chips  02 May 2006

AMD closes in on Intel

Intel in trouble as AMD grows server market share by 25.8 per cent  26 Apr 2006

AMD upgrades Opteron

Faster server processors unveiled ahead of Intel's Developer Forum  06 Mar 2006

AMD uses Sapphire for chip testing

Credence Systems' Sapphire platform selected as test system of record  10 Feb 2006

AMD forum users exposed to WMF worm

Failure to patch put users at risk  31 Jan 2006

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!