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AMD Quadfather – first part of an epic trilogy?

by James Morris on 24 November 2006, 08:35

Tags: AMD (NYSE:AMD)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qaheu

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The Quadfather: Part II



Still, you can't help feeling that Quad FX is a teaser for when AMD releases its true, 'native' quad-core part. Many of the features of this are now quite widely known - four cores, each with their own Level 1 and Level 2 cache but sharing 2MB of L3 between them. This will be based on the new K10 core, which incorporates improved branch prediction and 128-bit SSE, so can execute twice as many floating point instructions per clock cycle as current AMD processors. There will be a 128-bit path to Level 2 cache, too, doubling the speed at which the core can move data and instructions to and from Level 1.

The new core will also inaugurate a split voltage plane, amongst other fine power management controls. Current processors from both AMD and Intel can only vary the voltage and frequency of all cores simultaneously. With K10, the memory controller and HyperTransport links can be at a different voltage to the cores. Aside from being able to drop the core voltage whilst keeping these Northbridge functions at full speed, this will make it easier to overclock memory and processor clocks independently. With the new quad-core processor, AMD will also be able to vary the frequency of all four cores independently, so if just one core is fully utilised whilst the rest remain idle, the others can ramp down.

Although a desktop version of the K10 is still officially on the roadmap for at least Q3 2007, the Opteron spin is due earlier - within the first half of the year. Since Quad FX is based on the Opteron rather than the Socket AM2 derivatives, AMD will be able to move its 4x4 over to 8x4 at the same time. That will make Quad FX the first consumer platform to offer eight cores. So although the initial Quadfather may not win a shootout with Core 2 Quad hands down, its sequel, Quadfather: Part II, could be the one which really makes a wise guy out of Intel again. And there's a third part of the trilogy mooted for the end of 2007, too, with DDR3 and HyperTransport 3.

Until then, we have the first episode to tease your expectations. Keep your eyes closely on our front page for our comprehensive evaluation - it could be here sooner than you think.



HEXUS Forums :: 34 Comments

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The requirement for Vista Ultimate for licensing is hardly a set back though, given the group that this product is going to be aimed at :p

True quad-core for the masses will be able to be licensed under Vista Home, so it won't be an issue really :)
If you can afford 2 FX chips, 2 sets of RAM and 4 graphics cards, I don't think the vista price is going to deter you :P

What we're all wondering though.. does it beat core 2?
:lol: typical, I move from S939 to S775 and then this bast comes out, lol oh well when i switch back to AMD at least my DDR2 can still be used
Infact now I've read that it just looks like AMD are just saying “Yay look what we have” to distract from the fact Intel just kicked them around the playground a bit with Core2 Duo…
I mean, come on its not even Quad core is it, its just dual dual core CPU's which both companies have had around for a while…
chuckskull
If you can afford 2 FX chips, 2 sets of RAM and 4 graphics cards, I don't think the vista price is going to deter you :P

What we're all wondering though.. does it beat core 2?

I assume you mean the processors, they are going to be sold as one package, so thats not really the issue, however i agree, it certainly does look like its going to be expensive.. lol… so then Hexus… your gonna run a competition to win a complete system when it comes out right? (only way im gonna be able to get one, lol)