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Two New AMD Mobile Chips Launched
to_kallon writes "Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has unleashed two new mobile microprocessors today. One processor belongs to the company's 64-bit Mobile Athlon64 line while the other one comes from the 32-bit Athlon XP-M product line. According to CNET News: 'Like other Athlon 64 chips, and Intel's Prescott, the new Athlon 64 3400+ will block many security threats automatically in conjunction with Windows XP Service Pack 2. The delayed SP2 is slated to come out in August. The Athlon 64 3400+ will also run a 64-bit version of Windows, due now at the end of the year.It runs at 2.2GHz and comes with 1MB of cache. Gamer-PC maker Alienware will insert the chip in a notebook later in the month. Meanwhile, the Athlon XP-M 2200+ comes from the company's older line of chips. It runs at 1.6GHz and is built around an older processor core and comes with a 512KB cache. Averatec, a small computer manufacturer, has put the chip into a notebook that can convert into a tablet PC, marking the first time AMD's chips have been used in a tablet'."
AMD has also recently released a new multiprocessor motherboard configuration for its low-end processors. Machines based on this technology will specialize in playing 80's MP3's.
They're calling it the Duron-Duron.
There is no mod option "-1: Disagree" for a reason. "Overrated" is not an acceptable substitute. Post something instead.
With all these new advances in processor and video-card technology, when are we going to see some advances towards cheaper, and quieter cooling solutions? These devices keep getting hotter and hotter!
In order to keep my gaming computer cool I have something like 7 or 8 fans in there, and the box sounds like a jet-engine taking off... I've looked into water-cooling but virtually every water-cooling setup costs upwards of $200. Is it really *that* expensive for the equipment? What other alternatives are out there?
And with a notebook... isn't heat going to soon be a real serious issue with laptops?
my sig was dubm so i took it out.
"marking the first time AMD's chips have been used in a tablet"
Prior to this, they were either injected or used in suppository form.
Unknown host pong.
IBM putting one of these 64 bit chips in a highend thinkpad. While I really like the Athlon64 processor, I would not even consider buying anything but a thinkpad for a PC laptop.
This sucks! Fine, I'll say something more worthwhile. Notebook makers should really drop both AMD and Intel processors and pick up Via's stuff. They put out miniscule amounts of heat(~20 watts, I think) and while not as fast can still run at 1.8Ghz. This is what notebooks really need.
It doesn't, it's the other way around - this CPU has a feature (NX bit) that WinXP will be aware of as of SP2.
OR IS IT!?!!?!?!
Don't worry the proc has no idea what OS is running. Its just that it supports a noexec instruction which lets you mark areas of memory as data vs. code, this makes the buffer overflow attact a little harder because the chip won't do instructions in an area that is flagged data(where the array you are exploiting would be). SP2 will give the windows OS the ability to support performing that instruction in some instances and therfore enchance security. I have already heard noises of implementing this in Linux and *BSD. Its complex from a software stand point to make really effective use of as you have to be able to predict the future to some degree but its probably a good security tool noone the less and could be extreemly benificial in many cases.
Get the byte outta here.
The Hammer based chips run cooler than their older AthlonXP brothers. They also add cool-n-quiet for power management. My Athlon 64 laptop (with a DTR chip) rarely gets very warm and the lower power portable Athlon 64 chips are extremely cool (nearly in the G3 - G4 power range which is really impressive for an x86 chip). The P4 based laptops, however, can literally burn you. If you go the Intel route, the Centrino platform is excellent and one of the best chips ever by Intel.
[RIAA] says its concern is artists. That's true, in just the sense that a cattle rancher is concerned about its cattle.
It's not a Windows specific fix. It's NX support (so that data marked as such won't be executed) and Linux can benefit from it as well.
Let's not forget that one can hate his government, but love his country.
Yay! I've always been a fan of AMD's architecture. I definitely to see AMD take more of the laptop market.
That's probably a good thing! AMD architecture NEEDS big fans for how hot they run.
no thanks
Someone please explain the statement about blocking security threats in conjunction with the operating system. My imagination is failing me. New instructions that do....what?
Intel has 'unleashed' new low voltage and 'ultra low voltage' Centrinos and Celerons.
You know you've been IMing too long when you almost say 'lol' out loud to a non-geeky friend...
Notably, Prescott chips with NX support aren't yet shipping.
Let's not forget that one can hate his government, but love his country.
You make it sound as if AMD one day went to Microsoft and said "Hey, we've got this really cool feature we are adding to our chips, it'll make your operating system much more secure."
NX is not a 'security fix' it is an added feature, a feature not unlike MMX or SSE. An ability that sits on the chip waiting to be used and is generally only used if it is called (ie software support).
This is nothing new! It amazes me that you think it's so radical to hardware and software supporting the same feature.
BTW: NX support now exists for linux and has for some time. By your logic... does it's presence mean that AMD is fixing linux?
Help Brendan pay off his student loans
The processor comes with a "no exec" op code that an operating system can use to enhance security. OpenBSD or Linux could use this just as readily as XP. As a matter of fact OBSD already does iirc and MS isn't doing anything truely original on this platform (yes, I'm aware other processors and OSes have offered this for years.)
I don't want knowledge. I want certainty. - Law, David Bowie
But it doesn't prevent the overflow, just the injection. This leaves your program free to (behave poorly|crash).
The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
You can get Virus Protection without an AMD processor here.
I just got to say how much I love their notebooks. Easily some of the best made on the market. I purchased one last year, based off the Athlon 1600+ Mobile chip. It ran pretty decently, but like most notebooks... the graphics chip was a little underpowered. They came out with a new version of their 12" notebooks (size and weight was another factor) that contained the 2000+ Mobile CPU and a mobile/integrated version of the S3G DeltaChrome chipset (Unichrome, if I remember correctly)... it may not be the greatest for games, but it plays HalfLife/CS at 30FPS+ at 640x480 and that is good enough for me. UT2004, with everything set to minimum, can still play at around 20fps. So it does have a little bit of muscle in it.
The new Averatec 12" notebooks are the bomb... Pretty decently loaded and skips out on most of the legacy stuff, like parallel/serial/ps2... Gets a pretty respectable 3.5hours average battery life. Even when doing something intensive or playing DVDs (moving parts will help suck up the battery life).
The best thing about their notebooks is that they are sturdy as hell. Very, very well built. the hinges never feel like they're going to come apart, the screen holds taut and stays there. Some of the larger 15" (and especially widescreen models) almost feel like they'll bend and wobble at the corners.
I was impressed with the performance of my 2000+ Mobile (Barton Chipset) based laptop that I've given up on using my desktop, permanently. And it's a watercooled 2600+ with more drives than I care to count. It was very easy to get used to using the Averatec and I'm in love with them.
I'd highly recommend getting them. I'm on my second (gave the first one to me mum) and if they keep it up, I can't see how they'll have any trouble breaking into the tight notebook market even further.
(Sorry for the slightly off topic post, but Averatec was mentioned and I just felt like posting my raves for this company.)
Oh, hey, not that anyone here really needs it... But free 24/7 tech support (toll free #) that actually uses people in the US... not india. That's major kudos in my book. (*Spits on HP*)
The Averatec notebooks are also very reasonably priced. You pay more for quality, of course... but the deal is still quite outstanding. Currently you can get the model I have, 2000+ AMD Athlon Mobile CPU, Delta/UniChrome Video chipset, 12" Screen, built in broadcomm wifi 54g adaptor, touchpad with scrolling areas, 40GB HD, 256MB Ram, CDRW/DVD Drive, 3xUSB2 (each port gets full bandwidth, not three plugs shared across one bus), 1 PCMCIA, 10/100, 56k, VGA Out, sound, etc... For about $850 now.
My only gripe is the sound. It's AC97 Audio, so it's not that great. Just noisy. In my case, since I do professional mixing, I would rather have an mAudio USB 24-Bit sound card anyway. (I mixed two CDs so far on this laptop without a hitch. It's been absolutely wonderful.)
My longest uptime (damn you, Windows) has been 3 weeks, 6 1/2 days. Not bad, considering previous experience with laptops they tend to crash easily due to the heat or whatnot. No problems, heat related here... Just had to friggin reboot for an IE patch. Oh well.
Perhaps you would care to enlighten the more elite vendors out there then. And by your analogy, Intel is the largest retailer, making it worse than AMD.
Dream the day dream.
I'm looking for a low noise (quiet) AMD 64 Notebook. Do you know any? Thanks a lot for your reply!
Keep your eyes to the sky.
I'm getting ready to build a new PC and I've decided on the Athlon64 (it was such a difficult decision... not.). It looks like the mobile chips are basically identical to their desktop brethren except that they don't put out as much heat nor do they have integrated heat spreaders. I really like the fact that they put out less power, perform identically (I think), and only cost a few dollars more.
Does anyone know if you can take a mobile A64 and just plop it in a desktop motherboard (for regular A64s) and have it just work? Or does the BIOS have to be aware of the fact that it's a mobile proc? Will the heatsinks designed for the desktop versions work with a mobile version? Does an A64 really require a 400W+ power supply as many sites suggest?
And it's exciting to think that we may get 64-bit laptops soon!
Best Buy can have you arrested
We already *have* 64-bit laptops, plenty of them. There's already ones with Mobile 2800+ up through 3200+, and DTR (DeskTop Replacement) 2800+ through 3400+. And the only difference between the Mobile and DTR is that the former is 62W, while the latter is 80-something... not an insigificant difference, to be sure, but the only difference it'll actually make is that your desktop replacement notebook will have slightly less horrible battery life and be a bit less scalding. Not anything you could actually call mobile ("portable" is the correct term). (For reference, Intel's fastest Pentium M (Centrino) processor is 21W, and there's ultra-low voltage versions under 10W which are used in ultra-mobile thingies. AMD also has a "line" of 35W Mobile A64s (2700-2800+) which could also be used in something other than a desktop masquerading as a notebook.)
Work is punishment for failing to procrastinate effectively.
For motherboard, check silentpcreview.com (esp. the forums).
For the PSU, there you'll have also a impressive list of "what can run on a 300W PSU". FYI, my dual Athlon 2600 is between 100 and 170W (not overclocked). So far for the 500+W PSU myth.
#include "coucou.h"
They are theoretically compatible, but it depends on whether the motherboard in question supports them. The Asus K8N-E Deluxe looks like it does a good job of that, though information is scarce as it's pretty new. As for heatsinks, they aren't inherently compatible, but the Thermalright SLK-948U is one that is.
And a true mobile will work just as well as a DTR, and have even better thermals (in the case of the 35W mobile 2700+/2800+, magnitudes better).
Work is punishment for failing to procrastinate effectively.
I think the reason for a 500W PS is that companies rate PS differently. One company's 500W supply might be able to peak at 500W, but only output 250-300 cleanly. I'd guess it's a lot like stereo amps where boom boxes list peak wattage (on a sunny day in ND with no wind) while a company like NAD rates its applifier's wattage based on how much power it can pump without exceeding a certain deviation from the input signal. So a 65W NAD amp might be considerably louder than a 300W Walmart special.
Degaussing scares the bad magnetism out of the monitor and fills it with good karma.
against Intel now in the laptop market as well. AMD has steadily been gaining against Intel is the desktop market, but I really think that the laptop market is the place to be(in terms of cash of course) Also nice that they are attacking at both ends, the performance end and the budget end.
With the advent of wi-fi, I see a lot more people ditching desktops all together and using a laptop as their only machine. Why not? Laptops easily have enough power to check email, browse, use an office suit all at the same time. And you can take them anywhere. And with a low end laptop only a few hundred more than a lowend desktop, there really isn't the financial motivation to get a desktop anymore.
Desktops aren't dying, but the real growth(at least in terms of the mature world economies) will probably be in laptops in the coming years.
Proud AMD User
I put a Mobile Athlon 64 3200+ (62W) in my ASUS K8V Deluxe motherboard, replacing a standard 3200+ desktop chip. It works exactly as you'd expect. Getting a heatsink to fit was tricky since the notebook chips are "lidless" (no aluminum lid protecting the core), but Zalman's CNPS7000A-AlCu (don't use the all-copper version, it's twice the weight) fit. Alpha's didn't. Just be real careful not to overtighten the screws. Supposedly the lidless CPUs can be cooled better but that lid was put there for a reason.
That said, you can undervolt most of the Athlon 64's quite a bit. I've used ClockGen under WinXP to undervolt the DTR 3200+ in my notebook to 1.3V @ 2GHz, down from the standard 1.5V. Perfectly stable. See here, and check silentpcreview.com (which got me started on all this).
Anyone know how to manually set core voltage levels under 64-bit Linux? Then verify that I didn't push things too far?