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AMD releases six-core Opteron processor -

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AMD today announced the availability of the world's first six-core server processor, with Direct Connect Architecture, code-named "Istanbul". AMD claims these new processors will deliver up to 34% more performance per watt, and will be available beginning this month from leading OEMs including Cray, Dell, HP, IBM and Sun Microsystems. HE, SE and EE versions of the new processor are planned for the second half of 2009.
Additional feature of the new six-core processor include:

* HyperTransport Technology Assist, which reduces cache probe traffic between processors, which can result in faster queries and increased performance for database, virtualization, and compute intensive applications.
* HyperTransport 3.0 Technology, increases interconnect rate from 2GT/s to 4.8GT/s. * Integrated DDR2 DRAM Memory Controller, incorporates Memory RAS for increased fault tolerance to reduce system downtime and increase system reliability.
* Independent Dynamic Core Technology, allows each core to vary its frequency, based on the specific needs of the application. This allows for more precise power management to reduce energy consumption.
* AMD CoolCore Technology, evaluates which parts of the system are needed to support currently running applications and can cut power to unused transistor areas to reduce power consumption and lower heat generation.
* AMD Smart Fetch Technology, allows inactive cores to write contents of their L1 and L2 caches to the shared L3 cache and allow the inactive cores to enter a "halt" state and draw less power, reducing CPU power consumption.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDdvZkBo4JE

Source
 
Unfortunately, it still gets butchered in the majority of applications I've seen benchmarked by the new Xeons based on the Socket 1366 platform...

A nice 'drop-in' upgrade for AMD shops, though.
 
Interesting, shows a nice performance increase and a nice move forward in technology. Overkill for desktop cpus though at the moment.

Nice one AMD :D

For comparrison's sake though I'd like to see that six core AMD up against an Intel Xeon.
 
Thanks for that, I'm unsure what Folding at Home is doing in a server comparison but I'll let that pass. Some interesting comments too. In the end it looks like horses for courses, though I'll give you Intel's larger number of optimum tracks they look to lose out, at times at least, on tco.

Another review for comparison:
http://it.anandtech.com/IT/showdoc.aspx?i=3571

All good stuff :)
 
Folding@work? :-)

And agreed with spud, not enough uses 2 yet, never mind 3,4 or 6, unless you're specifically part of those industries.

For companies already running AM2/3 (whatever) this could be a very cost effective upgrade. The Xeon's may be faster, but for the price of upgrading?
 
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