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AMD Kuma Dual Core (Phenom X2)

Soldato
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There seems to be little mention of this chip which surprises me.

Is anyone else keen to see what the Kuma 'based on Phenom but not actually a Phenom' dual core can and will do?

It's based on 65nm with the added bonus of large L3 cache and the other K10 architecture enhancements over the K8 current stock of 'dual cores', a number of reports show the 2.3GHz out performing the out going 2.6GHz Brisbane.

In addition mentions of $90 starting point and a 6800 Black Edition for little more is VERY positive.

In addition because these are the 2 better cores enabled on late gen steppings overclocks of 3.3-3.6GHz are claimed - on air.

We all know how well the Phenom performs over 3.2GHz (i.e for the best part equalling Intel) so it bodes very well for the 'Kuma' chip, pushing the L3 past the sweet spot of 3.2-3.3GHz will make it a true enthusiasts component and perfect for gamers.

.... or am I alone on this?
 
I'm interested in these. When are they due out? Will they be using the AM2+ socket or a new one?

Also, just out of interest, what starting price will the new Intel Core i7's be starting at and when will they be out?

Planning for a new system at the moment, so I'm hanging on till these two are out.
 
I'm interested in these. When are they due out? Will they be using the AM2+ socket or a new one?

Also, just out of interest, what starting price will the new Intel Core i7's be starting at and when will they be out?

Planning for a new system at the moment, so I'm hanging on till these two are out.

The fastest and most expensive one, which costs $999, will be branded as the Core i7 Extreme Edition 965. The runner up is the Core i7 940 with a clock speed of 2.93GHz 554$, while the last of the Bloomfield Nehalems to launch this year is the Core i7 920 clocked at 2.66GHz and priced at $284.
 
pushing the L3 past the sweet spot of 3.2-3.3GHz will make it a true enthusiasts component and perfect for gamers.

.... or am I alone on this?

When you can easily get a wolfy which is faster clock for clock to 4 or 4.5ghz then I don't see any point in getting the amd
 
But at those speeds are we seeing any real difference in use (ignoring sythentic benchmarks which mean very little apart from epeen)?

Also how much does it cost?

The chips is the 'Stars' aka the Kuma, a kind of late gen Phenom but not Phenom core, AMD have been pretty cagey about what they've done here and I'm not sure why - hopefully for positive reasons.
 
If they're cheap enough I'd possibly replace the 9600 for one, I don't need a quad core and I imagine these should be capable of some reasonable clocks. :)
 
I think they might brand them as Athlon (not Brisbane).

For a 10-20% performance hyke clock for clock and increasing with overclocks I'd be tempted, especially if they start at £60 or so (it could be less).

It would stretch out my AM2+ platform another year, and even then I'd have further upgrades paths available with the same board thereafter - pretty respectable.
 
If they're cheap enough I'd possibly replace the 9600 for one, I don't need a quad core and I imagine these should be capable of some reasonable clocks. :)

Exactly, quad for me is a waste, I just want a high clocking dual AMD for my board. :)
 
i wonder if this cpu would be a good replacement for my old 125w x2 6000+ ? , i cannot seem to overclock my cpu cause of my memory timings :( (4-4-4-12)
 
Clock for clock it will slap the K8 X2's around with relative ease, this stepping of K10 at 3GHz + is more than capable of matching a similar clocked Intel - loads of evidence on the net to back this up.

In fact if you can get past the 3.2GHz mark then they really come in to their own (because of the L3 cache speed increase) and actually pull ahead in certain benchmarks.

Ultimately though at 3 or so GHz the AMD and Intel quads are very evenly matched, IF and it's a big IF AMD could get the Phenom tech to run at 3.5GHz + then they'd actually start to pull out a small lead but that's asking a lot of the current 65nm architecture.
 
45nm Versions of these should be great clockers, and run very quick clock for clock.

Would be perfect for gamers, just a shame that quad core support will be added on new games before a 45nm version of this will get released :(

Oh well, they still might be good for a retro machine to run old(current) games cheaply and quick :P
 
Would be perfect for gamers, just a shame that quad core support will be added on new games before a 45nm version of this will get released :(

Oh well, they still might be good for a retro machine to run old(current) games cheaply and quick :P

We don't know this, I pretty doubt that we'll see that many games offering worthwhile leaps with a quad core, compared to a higher clocked dual.
Just because a game would support quad core, it does not mean dual core is suddenly obsolete.
 
Clock for clock it will slap the K8 X2's around with relative ease, this stepping of K10 at 3GHz + is more than capable of matching a similar clocked Intel - loads of evidence on the net to back this up.

In fact if you can get past the 3.2GHz mark then they really come in to their own (because of the L3 cache speed increase) and actually pull ahead in certain benchmarks.

Ultimately though at 3 or so GHz the AMD and Intel quads are very evenly matched, IF and it's a big IF AMD could get the Phenom tech to run at 3.5GHz + then they'd actually start to pull out a small lead but that's asking a lot of the current 65nm architecture.

well would be nice to see some competition.. although maybe to little to late with i7 around the corner
 
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