AMD Releases 12 Core CPU (sort of)

[MR.B]

I say sort of because it's two 6 core CPU's on one die (it's a Opteron for the server market btw).

It's roughly equal to a 980X/Xeon X5670 for mutilthreaded performance even though it has twice the cores, because of the lower clock speed, and lower performance per-core compared to 980X/X5670.

Review @ Anandtech

Bit sad that AMD have to have twice as many cores to even compete, but it's actually 20% cheaper than the 6 core Xeon to buy.

 

[MR.B]

All in all such solutions are the only way AMD can stay close to Intel until the new architecture is out in 2011.

If Intel wanted though, they could just do what AMD have and stick two 6 core Xeons on one die. Which would crush AMD's 12 core. It's certainly possible as the Xeon X5670 (980X for Desktop) has a smaller die and lower power consumption than the Opteron 6 core chips on AMD's 12 core die, because of the 32nm process they're manufactured on. A 12 core Xeon would also have 24 threads because of HT.

Hopefully AMD's bulldozer in 2011 will actually compete. But at the same time Intel will also have a new achitecture by then (Sandy Bridge).

 

[MR.B]

But you are forgetting ofcourse one key factor -cost to the consumer. Ofcourse intel can stick as many processors as they want on one die but they will charge you inappropriately for it whereas AMD have a product that will perform the same but for 20% less money

These are not really for typical consumers though plus it's worth paying extra for a smaller and cooler product, that will also perform a lot better in things that are not well multithreaded because of the higher clocks and better performance of the architechture. It will also use less power, and considering you ofter get 2 - 4 socket server boards the power needs quickly add up in a server farm.
Anyway like i said, theres nothing stopping Intel from releasing a 12 core and lowering the price of there 6 core Xeon. But cant see it happening anytime soon, they're under not enough pressure.