AMD to Intel: This is what quad-core is all about
By George Gardner
AMD unveiled its new processor family, rightfully named Phenom, which is re-defining the term ‘quad-core’ and leaving much explaining for the guys at Intel. If your CPU doesn’t say AMD, it’s not a true quad-core processor.
In a recent demo of technology, AMD was quoted as saying “Intel Duct Tapes while AMD innovates” as an image of two single core Intel processors were duct taped together.
Strong words by AMD, but what justifies such a blunt statement? Take a look at Intel’s quad core processor and how it operates.
You can see, by the above diagram, that Intel’s quad core actually consists of two dual-cores on a single chip. But does this design constitute a true dual-core processor? AMD seems to think not, and with good reason.
In this instance, If cores 1 or 2 needed to communicate with cores 3 or 4, or if each had to access the other core’s L2 cache, data would be sent through the front side bus (FSB), causing a bottleneck.
With the true quad-core design offered by the upcoming AMD Phenom processors, each core will communicate with the others on a single die, rather than through an external front side bus as shown below.
AMD’s Phenom design also boasts a unique shared L3 cache for quicker data access while each core can communicate directly through its Direct Connect Architecture.
“AMD’s quad-core processor rollout will put more computing horsepower at PC users’ fingertips,” observed Nathan Brookwood, research fellow at Insight 64. “Quad-core innovations come at a time when many users are finding that the combination of Microsoft Vista™, multi-threaded applications and DirectX 10 no longer delivers the crisp performance they experienced on last year’s fastest systems running last year’s software.”
With resources like an integrated DDR2 memory controller, HyperTransport™ technology links, and 128-bit Floating Point Units (for improved speed and performance) AMD’s Phenom processors are specifically designed to take advantage of a computer’s resources, allowing maximum performance-per-watt while maintaining a reliable, virtualization-ready and energy efficient machine.
The Phenom processor family was demonstrated in San Francisco as AMD rolled out a machine, codename “FASN8″ for “fascinate,” which included two true quad-core AMD Phenom processors and the new DirectX 10 ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT.
Nero, the creator of the popular disc authoring program Nero Burning ROM, was at the right side of AMD, demonstrating Nero software that was specifically designed with true quad-core in mind.
“As we demonstrated with AMD in San Francisco, Nero is pleased to be on the leading edge, delivering applications that are optimized to take advantage of quad-core processors,” said John Tafoya, GM of Global Alliance at Nero. “The increased performance of AMD’s latest processors, coupled with Nero’s quad-core optimized applications is helping bring about Nero’s vision of a true ‘Liquid Media Revolution.’”
AMD’s open platform approach allow for AMD Phenom processors to be compatible with a wide range of solutions, including AMD’s motherboard and chipset partners ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI and NVIDIA.
“AMD is confident the performance enhancements enabled by true quad-core client technology in computing-intensive environments will allow them to realize new possibilities and find new inspiration,” said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD’s desktop division.
Software developers are already getting excited as they show full support for the true quad-core. Lionhead Studios, maker of the popular games “The Movies” and “Black and White” believe that AMD’s quad-core technology is “another step in delivering the power we are looking for,” said Tim Rance, CTO of Lionhead.
Rance added: “We are eager to push the detail in our simulations ever deeper, make our physics more fine grained, our AI more emotional and our lighting more dynamic. All of this will enable us to deliver the mass-market experiences that our customers are looking for.”
AMD is expecting its true quad-core and dual-core AMD Phenom-based desktop systems to ship in the second half of 2007.
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Read more entries by George Gardner.
Stumble It!
May 14th, 2007
You’ve fallen for the AMD PR line .. oh, wait .. you ARE AMD PR
May 15th, 2007
Said like a true Intel fanboy, I’ve used both companies processors, both are good for what they do.
‘awr’: can you tell me the first company — Intel or AMD — that made the first 1GHz processor?!
May 15th, 2007
All this is completely meaningless – what matter is how does the chip perform. We know Intel performance for 6 months since they launch quad-core – we have no clue about AMD. Their PR just says numbers without any details to what it is compared – nothing measured. Just promises for long time… I suggest to call new chip Phantom :-)
May 15th, 2007
Hey, call me AMD PR if you want, but in my experiences, AMD is a more than sufficient processor for an excellent price.
But who’s bashing Intel? I just presented the facts, and you, awr, came to that conclusion. I certainly did not try to make you feel threatened by AMD’s advantage with quad-core processors.
May 24th, 2007
Intel Vs AMD war can be understood with a simple aspect:
-AMD creates and develops technology.
-Intel uses it’s power to copy and enhance AMD’s work and uses it as Intel results.
See:
-PPro: -A true enhanced copy of AMD 6 series
-Core: -A true enhanced copy of Opteron concepts (increased paralellism, shorter pipelines, …), shown since 7 series
-Multi core: (no explanations needed)
Intel made an incredible mistake with Netburst and RDRAM to desperately answer to AMD Athlon, It seems will happen the same now, with Quad core…
June 20th, 2007
George, I am reading and reading more about Intels Peryn 45 Nm processors, and then even further down the road in 2008 another impressive sounding change in their chips. Can you tell me if AMD will offer an alternative any time soon. Loved the article on the AMD Quad core. Hope it is something special.
Let me know.
November 7th, 2007
Man I can’t believe that AMD’s single core athlon is so bad compared to intels Q6600. Oh wait, they are different products, with different techs, with different specs. Post the numbers from shipping products or get off the PR wagon. It’s fine if AMD is the winner, that’s great. This chatter is useless.
Back to the regularly scheduled program…
November 9th, 2007
So is there any more news on these processors? 2007 is almost over and AMD are trailing in Intels wake! I will be building 2 new systems for with a budget of about £600 ($1,200) for each base unit.
I need to know how far off these porcessors are from being released. If they do not get off their backsides and do something soon I will be looking at Intels awesome offerings.
Anyone shine a light on the release date?
December 11th, 2007
just think, AMD wouldnt be around constantly whining and crying about intel if it wasnt for their first lawsuit against Intel to be able to clone the Pentium 2 as a cheaper choice. For a company that has taken Intel to court over and over constantly crying and whining so they can have INTEL’S technology is rather pathetic. Yes, AMD started making their own technologies, the first being the Thunderbird, but at a price of Intel’s technology. Remember people AMD would not be around if it werent for their constant crying in court rooms as usual when they start to falter off. (like now, and look, back in court with Intel) What else can they make up and plant in people’s minds to get more of Intel’s technology? Hi-K Gate tech next? OMG Get real people do your research and look whats goin on you AMD crybabies
July 16th, 2008
This is the thing. What do you want to do with your computer? How much do you want to pay? How much energy does it take to do it?
AMD processors provide the bang for the buck. Their designs for the chips are excellent, and provide the alternative to Intel.
Intel has the power and the dollars to produce more chips, offer more choices, and incentives for other companies to buy their products.
It’s all about the money and market share.
AMD is a company I’d like to see continue to exist. I don’t want to be stuck using intel when they decide to run AMD to the ground, and then have intel make products that are unreliable. Competition breeds innovation and that is the story. AMD must survive for this reason. I mean, do we want to use crappy products? Remember Cyrix?