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AMD shows off Barcelona, R600
Author: Tim SmalleyPublished: 10th May 2007
Image courtesy of TGDaily - A pair of quad-core Barcelona chips were capable of encoding a 720p video in almost-real-time with all 8 cores loaded.
The first system featured a single quad-core CPU, while the second paired two Agena FX quad-core chips together in a 4x4 configuration. Both systems were paired with DDR2-1066 memory and a single R600 graphics card, but unfortunately details of the CPU clocks were not disclosed by AMD.
Rumours have suggested that AMD's native quad-core chips may come clocked as high as 2.9GHz, but that is nothing more than rumour at this moment in time.
We suspect that final clock speeds will not be released until the chips are officially launched in the next few months.
The chip firm demonstrated its new eight-core 4x4 configuration encoding a 720p video in almost-real-time with all eight cores maxed out, according to TG Daily. However, the company declined to comment on which video file formats were being used during the demonstration.
AMD also showed off a fully functional 45nm wafer for the first time at the event. The wafer, which is codenamed Typhoon, features 45nm dies that combine SRAM and logic. AMD's CTO, Phil Hester, told TGDaily that AMD expects to start shipping 45nm processors by the middle of 2008.
It's fair to say that AMD has been going through a tough patch over the past few months, but things appear to be a little more rosy going forwards. Can't wait for Barcelona? Join us in the forums.
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Comments (21)
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That thig must be poweful :D
QFT
Since I just ordered my C2D E6600 this week, it won't affect me much as a direct consumer until sometime in late 2008 at the earliest, but it's always good to see the underdog getting a second wind and putting up a good fight :D
I know what my next system is going to be ;)
I find all the people proclaiming doom and companys going down in smoke to be rather interesting, given AMD was the underdog for most of its history and still grew steadily and its still in a better position today than it has been for a long time (OEM's actually buy there chips now, omg!)
I cant say it effects me too much one way or the other though, barring new processors coming out at 10x the power for 1/10 the cost I wont be looking at a new motherboard/processor till probably late 2008/early 2009, later if I think I can get away with it.
It also doesnt seem to allow 4DIMMS per CPU - like opertons/xeons so what is the benifit of these over a PROPER SMP box?
It's the same principal of their "4x4" FX70 system. Which is stupid because that's 2 CPUs with 2 cores so they should have named it 2x2.
I mean WTF, if you want to go dual cpu, at least get a proper server side setup that lets each cpu address its own memory...
Intel have been offering dual cpus for ages, (dual P2 anyone??!) so how is this AMDs brainchild to try to make them seem amazing? doubling the CPU count.. NOWAI!! makes it go faster!!.. Funny thing would be if the new 45nm Cores beat the 4x4 setup .. that would be darn funny... buy 2 cpus and get worse performance than... 1 CPU!
ooo
Edit: People know that AMDs first 4x4 (2 CPUs, 2 cores) iteration was slower than Intels C2Q (1 CPU, 4 cores). This was a simple fact, that AMDs FX chips were not meant to be used in an traditional SMP configuration. AMD has only showcased the newer 4x4 because it now features 8 cores. Of course you could go out and buy a Dual Xeon with quad core CPUs, but how many average Joes do? Dual CPUs are for servers, workstations and enthusiasts (with too much money?!).