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AMD Announces Triple-Core Phenom Processors
MojoKid writes "AMD has officially announced their triple-core Phenom multi-core processor offering, suggesting a triple-threat of processors, from dual-cores to triple-cores and native quad-cores coming to market this year. While the term symmetric multi-processing (or SMP) suggests a balanced approach of multiple cores in an even number of engines working together on a single workload, AMD offers that an odd number of processors can slice at that workload just as efficiently. Time will tell how this architecture will scale amongst various multi-threaded applications and real-world usage models. AMD is definitely moving to make use of these quad-cores that don't quite make the cut by testing them fully as triple-cores and realizing some revenue, rather than throwing them away."
Chip makers have been doing this for so long I can't actually remember when it started. Now it's cores, but it used to be cache. The chip doesn't pass QA, gets downclocked or rebranded for less cache and sold to the economy sector. Not earth-shattering news.
Put identity in the browser.
I always thought SMP meant that all the processors are treated equally as far as available resources, and had nothing to do with the number of processing units available.
Intel makes the Core 2 Quads by putting two Core 2 Duos together under the heat spreader. They are separate dies- go buy a Q6600 and pop the IHS off and look at the two separate dies yourself if you need proof. Intel tests the dies before they are mounted on the substrate, so a die with a bad core never makes it into the C2Q. Another fully-functional die is used in its place. The die with one bad core is either sold as a Celeron 4x0 or thrown away as defective. Intel doesn't make a single die with four cores like AMD is doing. Once they do, then they will have to worry about what to do with a quad-core die with one bad core. They can either pitch it, sell it as a 3-core, or disable another core and sell it as a dual.
Just "gittin-r-done," day after day.
No, there's no reason it has to be a power of 2. The reason they usually are is that you have to use log_2(number of cores) addressing lines to identify a CPU, so you may as well use them fully. But there's nothing that stops you from having a smaller number.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
For about $60, I can get a dual-core 64-bit processor at something like 2 ghz. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place, but the cheapest Core 2 Duo I saw was over $100.
Also, you're absolutely right that we should hope AMD doesn't get gobbled up. The current Intel stuff, it seems to me, is a direct result of AMD dominating the price/performance ratios for so long, and even, recently, doing well with performance/watt. So even if you don't end up buying AMD, having them as a constant threat means Intel will be forced to compete.
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
I understood you fine but as I'm sure you're aware if you even so much as suggest the Cell isn't the equivalent-to-8-processors wonder that they mistakenly like to believe then the PS3 defence squad is going to mob you with bullshit, intentional misunderstandings and misdirection.
Cell is fantastic for scientific application but not that brilliant for gaming, as with Bluray, it's in the PS3 because Sony saw the PS3 as a vessel to bring the costs down of hardware they wish to push in other market areas. Unfortunately their arrogance got the better of them in not realising that they don't dominate the market no matter how bad they attempt to screw their customers.
It's actually kinda sad for AMD. In other markets they'd be making money.
After all their stuff:
1) Actually works (and is reliable compared to other computer stuff - RAM, HDD, motherboards, etc)
2) Is cheap
3) Is available in sufficient quantities
4) Performs ok
Only prob is Intel is now significantly ahead of them in many areas.
That's what you get for being in a high tech commodity market where lots of buyers actually go by specs and price and not by covenience or brandname.
If AMD was number two in the orange juice, soda pop or cooking oil market with just 15% share they'd still be making money. And they could sell the same standard juice/soda/oil for years without investing billions in fabs and processes.
AMD has lots of smart people working for them.
It's better to be number 9 in good industry than number 2 in a crappy industry.
Kids, learn from this. That's why smart parents discourage you from trying to earn a living as a movie star or singer, the number #10000 star/singer in the world doesn't make as much as the number #10000 lawyer/doctor.
What do you get when you line up three squares? Right, a rectangle...