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AMD's Triple-Core Phenom X3 Processor Launched
MojoKid writes "AMD officially launched their triple-core processor offering today with the
introduction of the Phenom X3 8750. When AMD first announced plans to introduce tri-core processors
late last year, reaction to the news was mixed. Some felt that AMD was simply planning to pass off partially functional Phenom
X4 quad-core processors as triple-core products, making lemonade from lemons if you will. Others thought it was a good way for AMD to increase bottom line profits, getting more usable die from a wafer and mitigating yield loss. This is an age-old strategy in the semiconductor space and after all, the graphics guys have been selling GPUs with non-functional units for years. This full
performance review and
evaluation of the new AMD Phenom X3 8750 Tri-Core processor shows the CPU
scales well in a number of standard application benchmarks, in addition to
dropping in at a relatively competitive price point."
Ha ha. ;-) Well I drive a car with only 3 pistons (honda insight). That configuration is rare in the States, but pretty common in the European Union (like the VW Lupo or Polo). The advantage of a 3-piston engine is almost-equal power to 4-bangers, but less rotatin mass to achieve better gasoline/diesel efficiency. In other words, it helps the consumer save money.
So for me "driving" a 3-core computer would feel pretty normal.
The government is not your daddy. Its purpose is not to raid middle-class neighbors' wallets and give it to you.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
This is oversimplifying the situation. the Cell is actually an asymmetrical multi processer solution, in that not all of the cores are identical. the Cell architecture consists of one central POWER (PPC?) core, and then 7 (physically 8, one disabled) SPEs. The SPEs are basically a minimal processor able to handle primarily SIMD math, and very limited logic. No branch prediction either.