Much (digital) ink has run on the subject of dual-core Phenom derivatives. Rumor sites initially expected such chips to launch quad-core Phenoms last year, but we later heard that AMD had shelved the concept until the 45nm switch. Then, 65nm dual-core Phenom listings somehow made their way onto a price search engine in Europe, and unofficial benchmarks of a 2.2GHz model surfaced. We still haven't heard a peep from AMD on the subject, though.
Expreview now claims to have the latest scoop. The Chinese site says AMD may have given up on the 2.3GHz chip we heard about last month, but the chipmaker's October roadmap includes two new dual-core Phenom derivatives. Branded Athlon X2 7550 and Athlon X2 7750, the two CPUs have respective clock speeds of 2.5GHz and 2.7GHz, which they each pair with 3MB of total cache—likely 512KB of the L2 variety per core and 2MB of shared L3 cache per chip.The roadmap reportedly pegs the arrival of these CPUs in the first quarter of next year. However, Expreview says AMD will manufacture them using 65nm process technology, and both models will have 95W thermal envelopes. This claim sounds a tad implausible, although AMD has made some strange moves in the past.
Expreview now claims to have the latest scoop. The Chinese site says AMD may have given up on the 2.3GHz chip we heard about last month, but the chipmaker's October roadmap includes two new dual-core Phenom derivatives. Branded Athlon X2 7550 and Athlon X2 7750, the two CPUs have respective clock speeds of 2.5GHz and 2.7GHz, which they each pair with 3MB of total cache—likely 512KB of the L2 variety per core and 2MB of shared L3 cache per chip.The roadmap reportedly pegs the arrival of these CPUs in the first quarter of next year. However, Expreview says AMD will manufacture them using 65nm process technology, and both models will have 95W thermal envelopes. This claim sounds a tad implausible, although AMD has made some strange moves in the past.
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For the AMD faithful not quite ready to step up to quad-core processing, AMD this week will start adding to its triple-core lineup. The new processors are based on AMD's Toliman core.* Phenom X3 8750 (2.5GHz, 95W)
* Phenom X3 8550 (2.2GHz, 95W)
* Phenom X3 8450e (2.1GHz, 65W)Note the 'e' designation in the last processor, which will represent AMD's new lower wattage CPUs. The X3 8450e will be the first 65W tri-core out of the gates, followed by the Phenom X3 8250e (1.9GHz, 65W).
Astute readers might also notice that the Phenom X3 8750 is incorrectly clocked at 2.5GHz instead of 2.4GHz. That's not a typo, and according to TomsHardware, AMD plans to bump up the clockspeed by 100MHz. Not only that, but THW says the flagship tri-core CPU will sport an unlocked multiplier. Oddly enough, the site also reports AMD will release a Phenom X3 8850 clocked at 2.5GHz this October, with an unlocked version to follow in December. Go figure.
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The folks at AMD keep, er, chipping away at Intel's lead in the CPU market by finding new ways to price and package their quad-core Phenom processors so they offer compelling value propositions. Their latest move on that front comes today with the introduction of several new Phenom models, including the energy-efficient Phenom X4 9350e and 9150e. The lower-case "e" at the end of their model numbers denotes energy efficiency, and in this case, that translates into a 65W maximum power draw rating, or TDP, for both products. The X4 9350e runs at 2GHz, and the 9150e clocks in at 1.8GHz.AMD points out that Intel doesn't yet offer any quad-core processors for under 200 bucks, and even the 45nm Core 2 Quad 9300 has a TDP rating of 95W. That puts the new Phenoms into a category all their own—a category that may appeal to builders of home theater PCs and the like, especially in conjunction with the 780G chipset. AMD has been shipping a Phenom X4 9100e to PC makers for a while now, but these CPUs will be selling to end users, as well.Also new today is a slightly faster flagship, the Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition, which finally reaches the 2.6GHz core clock frequency AMD forecast last November when it seeded reviewers with 2.6GHz review samples. Of course, early Phenoms saw their share of delays for multiple reasons, including the infamous TLB erratum. Happily, all of the Phenom models introduced today are based on B3-revision silicon, which is free and clear of the TLB problem. Like prior Black Editions, the X4 9950 has an overclocking-friendly unlocked multiplier.
Prices have dropped almost across the board, with the triple-core Phenom X3 now reaching as low as $125. The energy-efficient parts command a bit of a premium over their 95W counterparts, of course, but the 9150e still lists for just $175.
The Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition takes a very different path to its destination, seeking higher frequencies at the cost of a 140W TDP rating—15W above the previous top Phenom. This processor will require fairly beefy cooling, and like some 125W Phenoms, it won't be compatible with lower-end Socket AM2/AM2+ motherboards. AMD recommends enthusiast-class boards like the MSI K9A2 Platinum and the Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe for this one.
If that additional 15W puts you off, you may be pleased to learn that AMD will be keeping the Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition around as an unlocked model for the time being; it will transition to a conventional, locked model at some point, but not until later this year. We have an asterisk next to the $205 price for the 9850 Black Edition in the table above because that price won't officially take effect until July 7th. Once it does, the 9850 Black Edition should continue to be one of the best deals in the Phenom lineup.
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AMD has recently adjusted its triple-core CPU model numbers and launch dates, according to sources at motherboard makers.
AMD will launch two B2 stepping triple-core CPUs, Phenom 8600 and 8400 in March of next year, while in the second quarter, the company will launch three more models, Phenom 8700, 8650 and 8450.The Phenom 8400 and 8600 will feature core frequencies of 2.1GHz and 2.3GHz, respectively, while the Phenom 8700 will clock at 2.4GHz. Phenom 8650 and 8450 will be based on B3 stepping cores, and will have frequencies of 2.3GHz and 2.1GHz, respectively. All five CPUs will have a 95W TDP.
The high price/performance ratio of the triple-core CPUs could force Intel to cut prices of its quad-core products which could cause higher-end models to cut into sales of lower-end CPUs, noted the sources. However, AMD could also face the same problem, they added.
AMD declined to comment on unannounced products, but noted that the triple-core CPUs provide consumers with more choices and will extend the markets acceptance of multi-core technology.
From digitimes.
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