AMD Launches World’s First x86 Triple-Core Processors

AMD today announced the availability of AMD Phenom™ X3 8000 series triple-core processors, providing gamers and digital media enthusiasts  with exceptional performance at mainstream price points. AMD Phenom X3 processors are designed to improve multi-threaded application performance over dual-core processors at the same clock speed. As the world’s only triple-core x86 processor, AMD Phenom X3 processors bring multi-core technology to a broader audience in search of desktop PCs that easily handle today’s digital entertainment workloads.

When paired with the AMD 780 series chipset, AMD Phenom X3 processors can deliver significant enhancements in gaming and high-definition experiences for mainstream PC customers. This AMD desktop solution can provide a full HD experience with support for the latest and most demanding formats, including VC-1, MPEG-2 and H.264 on a mainstream PC. With the AMD Unified Video Decoder (UVD), the solution can process HD playback on the better-suited GPU rather than the CPU so consumers may enjoy a smooth HD viewing experience—less lag, stalling and dropped scenes—in the latest Blu-ray titles.

“In 2007, AMD committed to delivering AMD Phenom triple-core processors in Q1 2008 and today the company makes good on that promise,” said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president, strategic marketing, AMD. “AMD understands that today’s PC applications are best accelerated with a range of multi-core products from quad- to triple- to dual-core processors, and that’s why we now deliver the broadest multi-core desktop lineup in the industry.”

AMD Phenom X3 processor and AMD 780G chipset based desktop PCs offer DirectX 10 game compatibility, so casual gamers can now enjoy enhanced gaming experience such as truly lifelike 3D graphics and dynamic interactivity in the latest game titles. Gamers looking to scale their performance with the addition of a discrete graphics card can accelerate their performance with
ATI Hybrid Graphics Technology. This technology can harness the graphics power of both an ATI discrete graphics card and the motherboard GPU in tandem, delivering in some applications up to 70 percent improvements in 3D performance. In addition, the AMD 780G chipset is the second generation AMD chipset to feature AMD OverDrive™, a simple user interface that brings performance tuning to the masses.

AMD Phenom™ X3 8000 Series Triple-Core Processors

AMD Phenom X3 8400 and AMD Phenom X3 8600 processors can improve performance over dual-core processors on single-threaded applications and can scale with the same applications that scale with quad-core. AMD Phenom triple-core processors can also increase performance for multitasking usage models and multi-threaded applications, aligned with similar benefits available with AMD Phenom X4 quad-core processors.

AMD will be collaborating with ZT Systems to premiere the first system featuring the new AMD Phenom X3 triple-core processor on QVC during the Computer Shop broadcast, which is scheduled to air March 31 at 10 p.m. EDT. “New ZT Affinity desktops featuring the AMD Phenom X3 8400 triple-core processor deliver ‘The Latest Technology for Less,’ empowering a broader range of customers to experience the performance and multi-tasking capability of true multi-core technology,” said Russell Carlisle, VP of Marketing, ZT Systems. “The ZT Affinity 5202Zi is a perfect fit for consumers looking for a stylish, affordable compact PC with the power they need for today’s cutting-edge digital entertainment.”

Availability

Systems powered by AMD Phenom X3 processors 8400 (2.1GHz) and 8600 (2.3GHz) are expected to be initially available from leading OEMs and system builders.

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AMD introduced the ATI Radeon™ E2400, the Latest Graphics Technology to Embedded Systems

AMD introduced the ATI Radeon™ E2400, a high-performance graphic processing unit that delivers the latest 2D, 3D and multimedia graphics performance to the embedded market in a solution that reduces footprint, reduces design complexity, and helps speed time to market.

The benefits of the ATI Radeon E2400 make it ideal for demanding embedded graphics applications such as test and instrumentation, human machine interfaces (such as Kiosks, Point-of-Sale, and Automated Teller Machines), display walls, patient monitoring, casino and arcade gaming, and various multi-display applications. The new graphics technology is backed by a planned five-year availability and long-term support offering reliability for a variety of applications on operating systems featuring Microsoft DirectX® 10 and OpenGL 2.0.

“Embedded designers don’t have to be satisfied with the performance of low-end graphics devices just because their designs are space constrained or require extended availability and support,” said Richard Jaenicke, Director of Embedded Graphics for AMD. “With the input of major original equipment manufacturers and platform developers, we have designed the ATI Radeon E2400 from the start to deliver high graphics performance while meeting the unique requirements of the embedded market.”

ATI Radeon E2400 offers exceptional performance and flexibility in a compact package size for a wide variety of high quality graphics applications. Built on 65nm process technology, the ATI Radeon E2400 includes AMD’s revolutionary Unified Shader Architecture with support for Microsoft DirectX 10 allowing customers to develop advanced content for many applications. The device package incorporates 128MB of on-chip GDDR3 memory for graphic-intensive applications, eliminating the space, effort, and cost of external memory designs.

For designs that require a low profile solution in space constrained environments, AMD offers the ATI Radeon™ E2400 MXM-II module based on the open standard MXM-II specifications. This compact graphics subsystem provides a documented upgrade path while enabling a plug-in solution for fast time-to-market. ATI Radeon E2400 MXM-II uses the ATI Radeon E2400 core and 256MB GDDR3 memory.

The ATI Radeon E2400 is scheduled to ship this month in production quantities. AMD will showcase the product both at Embedded World 2008 in Hall 9 Stand 9-231, February 26-28, 2008 in Nuremberg, Germany, and at Embedded Systems Conference Silicon Valley in booth 1036, April 14-18, 2008 in San Jose, California.

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AMD opens another R&D Center in India... Looking for more growth

AMD, a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets, yesterday announced the opening of a new silicon design and platform research and development (R&D) facility in Bangalore.

As India’s role and importance in AMD’s global R&D network increases, the number of employees in Bangalore continues to grow, requiring a new facility that will accommodate the current team while also providing room for future growth. Employees will move into the new 52,000 square-foot center upon its completion and continue to focus on development of AMD’s most advanced, next-generation processing solutions.

Dr. Hector Ruiz, AMD’s Chairman and CEO, traveled to Bangalore to inaugurate the newly built center, which is comprised of state-of-the-art office space offering a host of modern amenities to improve the overall work experience.

“Our engineering employees in India play a critical role in AMD’s global design network, and this new R&D center gives them the world-class equipment and resources they need to excel,” said Ruiz. “In AMD’s quest to become the technology partner of choice for the industry, this facility is vital to help us design and deliver industry-leading solutions specifically tailored to the needs of our customers in India, and for all our customers worldwide.”

Mr. Alok Ohrie, Managing Director, AMD India said, “In a short span of six years of presence in India, AMD has posted marketshare gains as well as significant contributions to global R&D efforts. AMD India’s expansion demonstrates the confidence our corporation has in the delivery capabilities of the India R&D teams.”

Engineering staffs in Bangalore are playing the lead role on “Shanghai,” AMD’s first 45nm quad-core microprocessor, and are currently involved in design testing and optimization of the new chip. Prior to their efforts on “Shanghai,” teams were responsible for delivering key intellectual property (IP) for the first Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ microprocessor, previously codenamed “Barcelona.”

AMD will continue operating its first facility in the city, using the existing office space for administration, sales and marketing staffs.

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AMD unveiled World's First Comprehensive, Cutting-Edge PC Platform “Spider”

Rewriting the rules for enthusiast computing, AMD today unveiled its new platform codenamed “Spider”, with the first true quad-core processor supporting scalable graphics for The Ultimate Visual Experience™. The AMD Spider platform combines the introduction of AMD Phenom™ quad-core processors, ATI Radeon™ HD 3800 Series graphics processors with Microsoft DirectX® 10.1 support, AMD 7-Series chipsets with CrossFireX™ and AMD OverDrive™ software. The AMD Spider platform is a major milestone on the path to Accelerated Computing, AMD’s vision for platform-level acceleration through co-processing.

“AMD is the only company committed to delivering The Ultimate Visual Experience across all the screens of your life,” said Dirk Meyer, president and COO, AMD. “The AMD Spider platform embodies our approach to platform-level innovation and delivers a highly-advanced, feature-rich enthusiast computing experience. Our commitment to energy-efficient design and manufacturing excellence drives an unprecedented performance-per-watt at an amazing price point, putting enthusiast-class platforms in reach for more users than ever before.”

AMD’s Spider platform advances enthusiast computing by delivering the most sophisticated multi-GPU enthusiast platform ever with ATI CrossFireX technology. The combination of the energy-efficient 55nm ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series of graphics processors and the increased system bandwidth of PCI Express® Generation 2.0 and HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology, provide optimal processing power for a scalable HD multi-GPU experience. AMD design and manufacturing innovation has enabled the AMD Spider platform to easily scale to three or four graphics processors and deliver a true gaming supercomputer.

“Falcon Northwest is particularly impressed with the quad ATI CrossFireX potential of the new AMD Spider platform,” said Kelt Reeves, president of Falcon Northwest. “Running four graphics boards in one system has been a dream of gamers, but could be a nightmare for a system builder to get all those graphics cards proper airflow. The cohesive nature of the Spider platform design allows the AMD 7-Series chipset, high-performing AMD Phenom quad-core processor, and the already cool and quiet ATI Radeon HD 3800 graphics cards to all be placed for maximum airflow and cooling. AMD has made massive multi-GPU performance easy to build, and affordable.”

HD Technology Leadership

AMD is delivering the only platform that boasts major next-generation, industry-standard technologies to provide unparalleled bandwidth and balance in the delivery of next-generation HD content. With HyperTransport 3.0 technology, AMD Phenom processors have more system bandwidth than ever before with up to 14.4 GB/second of high bandwidth I/O. When combined with the additional bandwidth of AMD PCI Express 2.0 chipsets and graphics processors, the AMD Spider platform enjoys maximum bandwidth to support smooth 1080P video playback, enhanced multi-GPU and high-speed disk and network interfaces. With the only true quad-core processor and infrastructure flexibility with AM2+ socket, AMD processors are designed to be compatible with future 65nm and 45nm AMD Phenom processors to deliver key performance gains.

Video enthusiasts can enjoy best-in-class HD entertainment on AMD Spider platforms with the addition of the powerful visual processing capabilities of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series. Striking image quality and power-efficient playback are made possible through the ATI Avivo™ HD video engine and the Unified Video Decoder (UVD). The addition of UVD ensures exceptional platform efficiency and image quality in HD-DVD and Blu-ray decoding for both H.264 and VC-1 specifications. Big screen gaming and entertainment is also made easy with enhanced HDMI connectivity with integrated HDCP and audio for HDMI video.

Scalable Platform Performance

AMD’s Spider platform offers a new class of enthusiast platform scalability, with multiple upgrade options to increase performance and boost compatibility with configurations that can deliver an estimated two teraflops* of desktop processing power by harnessing four graphics processors. The multi-core design of AMD Phenom quad-core processors, based on Direct Connect Architecture, features an integrated memory controller designed to support memory speeds up to DDR2 1066**, 128-bit floating point units and AMD’s Balanced Smart Cache for rapid access to memory, with a shared L3 cache for leading-edge performance on multi-threaded software.

The AMD 7-Series chipsets introduce the world to the latest ATI CrossFireX technology, a new class of scalable multi-GPU performance, supporting three or four ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series graphics processors for unparalleled upgradeability and DirectX 10.1 performance with the industry’s only tri- and quad-GPU solution for Microsoft Windows Vista®. AMD 7-Series chipsets support up to four graphics processors and 42 PCI Express lanes, enabling maximum performance and upgradeability for gamers and PC enthusiasts. AMD 7-Series chipsets can deliver the ultimate in personalized enthusiast platform performance with AMD OverDrive*** software, the industry’s most powerful and intuitive Windows operating system-based performance tuning utility. Through a simple Windows operating system-based interface, AMD OverDrive software can satisfy the needs of a wide range of performance-oriented users from enthusiast overclockers to mainstream gamers.*** In addition, AMD AutoXpress™ settings can increase your system performance when combined with enthusiast memory modules, ATI Radeon graphics, as well as AMD Phenom quad-core processors.

“AMD has a long history of delivering compelling hardware innovations so that consumers and enthusiasts can enjoy new experiences and take full advantage of the capabilities that our products including Windows Vista deliver,” said John Schappert, corporate vice president of LIVE Software and Services at Microsoft. “The AMD Spider platform adds a new dimension to AMD’s excellence in driving platform robustness and scalability, designed to deliver the utmost in upgradeability and performance with the new tri- and quad-GPU solution for Windows Vista.”

Energy Efficiency

High-performing, energy-efficient AMD Spider platforms provide industry leading platform performance-per-watt, combining energy-efficient AMD Phenom quad-core processors for an improved computing experience, low power 65nm enthusiast AMD 7-Series chipsets, and low-power, high-performance 55nm ATI Radeon HD 3800 graphics. The AMD Spider platform also includes an unprecedented list of computing technology firsts and focus on power consumption, including: ATI PowerPlay™, Cool’n’Quiet™ 2.0 technology, Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, HyperTransport 3.0 technology and PCI Express 2.0.

In a new initiative to measure real-world processor power consumption, AMD surveyed consumer and commercial users to understand precise usage patterns. AMD measured power consumption for these usage patterns and has found that AMD Phenom processors with Cool’n’Quiet 2.0 technology rated at 95W TDP can consume an average power of 32W for consumers and 29W for commercial users.**** For more information on the power consumption of AMD processors and platforms visit www.amd.com/coolnquiet.

Enhanced features include AMD CoolCore™ technology, support for split power plane motherboard designs and the ability to set independent core frequencies. The AMD 7-Series chipsets are designed using 65nm process technology, a first for chipsets. With a TDP of approximately 10-12 watts, the 7-Series chipset offers world-class energy efficiency, allowing users to focus resources on processing performance. With a flawless transition to 55nm process technology, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series can deliver more than two times the performance-per-watt over the previous generation of AMD graphics products. In addition, ATI PowerPlay for the desktop allows for automatic power state adjustments for increased GPU efficiency when under moderate load or idle. All of these features contribute to better power optimization by enabling more efficient performance, lower power consumption, and quiet operation.

“In today's PC market there is escalating consumer demand for multi-core performance and enriching HD media experiences,” said Toni Duboise, senior analyst with Current Analysis West. “Platforms with enhanced performance features and improvements in performance-per-watt and energy efficiency, such as AMD's Spider platform, are a big benefit to customers.”

Availability and pricing

AMD Phenom processors 9600 (2.3GHz) and 9500 (2.2GHz) are now available for $283 and $251 respectively in 1,000-unit pricing. The ATI Radeon HD 3850 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory begins at US $179 MSRP and the ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB GDDR4 memory from US $219 MSRP, available from AMD’s selected graphics products partners. For processor pricing details, please visit www.amd.com/pricing. For press collateral pertaining to AMD Spider and its components including product specifications and availability, videos, images and partner support, please visit www.amd.com/spider/presskit.

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AMD Introduces Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processor (World’s Most Advanced x86 Processor)

AMD today introduced the Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processor, the world’s most advanced x86 processor ever designed and manufactured and the first native x86 quad-core microprocessor. Designed from inception for the most demanding datacenters, Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based servers from global OEMs and system builders can deliver breakthrough capabilities to customers in a time of dramatically escalating performance-per-watt emphasis.

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors with AMD’s revolutionary Direct Connect Architecture introduce innovations that go beyond four x86 processing cores on a single die of silicon. Critical considerations for today’s most challenging business requirements inspired Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor innovations: energy efficiency with a 50 percent increase in integer and floating-point performance,1 enhanced virtualization performance, and investment protection via a customer-centric approach enabling non-disruptive transitions from dual- to quad-core within the same power and thermal envelopes to help keep infrastructure costs down.

“Today marks one of the great milestones in microprocessor achievement as AMD again raises expectations for industry-standard computing,” said Hector Ruiz, chairman and chief executive officer, AMD. “We’ve worked closely with our customers and partners to design a new generation of processing solutions embodied by today’s Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor – a four-way winner in performance, energy efficiency, virtualization and investment protection. Early customer response has been extremely positive.”

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based systems from global OEM and system-builder partners begin shipping this month and are expected to increase in number through the remainder of the year. AMD Phenom™ processor solutions, which will leverage many of the same benefits of this innovative, next-generation architecture, are expected to be available for the desktop market in December. Due in part to the industry’s most stable x86 server platform, more than 50 socket compatible Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-ready system choices are on the market today from tier one OEMs, all of whom are publicly supporting today’s introduction.

“Today more customers choose ProLiant for their AMD processor-based server blades than any other vendor by a factor of more than 2 to 1. HP offers customers a broad portfolio built on innovative designs to address customer needs in the areas of power, virtualization and cost,” said Paul Miller, vice president, marketing, enterprise storage and servers, HP. “With today’s launch of Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors, we can help customers bring new levels of efficiency to their infrastructure as we broaden our AMD Opteron processor-based family of servers.”

“Sun is thrilled about the introduction of Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors. Incorporating Sun’s innovative design principles that enable stunning scalability and industry-leading performance-per-watt, our upcoming Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based servers and workstations will only accelerate the momentum Sun is experiencing in its x64 business,” said John Fowler, executive vice president of Sun Microsystems’ Systems Group. “With so much pent-up demand for the scalability of native quad-core processing, Sun believes there will be rapid, widespread adoption of Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based systems. We applaud AMD for yet another technological breakthrough, and are excited to continue to grow our alliance.”

“Dell and AMD share a commitment to delivering industry-leading performance, performance-per-watt, and the most energy-efficient product designs to help our customers focus on driving their business forward,” said Brad Anderson, senior vice president, Dell Product Group. “Dell’s ability to seamlessly deliver the benefits of AMD’s Dual Dynamic Power Management technology means our customers can get more today and for future growth in the AMD processor-powered Dell PowerEdge 2970 and Energy Smart 2970.”

“IBM was the first global OEM to support AMD Opteron processors in 2003. Today our relationship is delivering powerful and energy-efficient business performance computing solutions” said James Gargan, vice president, Brand Management System x & BladeCenter, IBM. “Our x86 systems feature IBM’s X-Architecture innovation, such as Xcelerated Memory Technology, to help optimize Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor capabilities for peak system performance. We look forward to bringing new products to market with AMD later this year to help strengthen IBM’s position as the world’s top server vendor2.”

Systems based on Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are also being announced today by a host of other manufacturers, including Appro, Egenera, Gateway, Rackable Systems, Supermicro and Verari.

Additionally, AMD is providing the channel with a tremendous opportunity to be able to offer their customers Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based solutions very soon after launch. AMD Validated Server Program platforms are available today through distribution, empowering channel partners with the opportunity to be early to market with solutions.

AMD introduces Average CPU Power (ACP)

AMD also today introduced the Average CPU Power (ACP) metric, which represents processor power usage, including cores, integrated memory controller, and HyperTransport™ technology links, while running a suite of typical and relevant commercially useful high utilization workloads to be more indicative of the power consumption that end-users can expect. ACP is a useful metric for data center operators when estimating power budgets to size their datacenters. AMD will continue to provide thermal design power (TDP) specifications to platform designers in AMD power and thermal datasheets.

AMD is introducing Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors today at the 55- and 75-watt ACP. For system designers, AMD will continue to state its TDP specifications.

New Standard in Energy Efficiency

As datacenters in the U.S. face the potential of doubling their energy consumption by 20113, new Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors introduce the world’s most energy-efficient x86 architecture, bolstered by a variety of new power-saving technologies, including:

• AMD CoolCore™ Technology, for reducing energy consumption by turning off unused parts of the processor;
• Independent Dynamic Core Technology, an enhancement to AMD PowerNow!™ technology, allowing each core to vary its clock frequency depending on the specific performance requirement of the applications it is supporting; and
• Dual Dynamic Power Management (DDPM), which provides an independent power supply to the cores and to the memory controller, allowing the cores and memory controllers to operate on different voltages, determined by usage. DDPM is available in most Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based platforms being introduced today.
  

“Microsoft and AMD are working together to drive innovation, performance and energy efficiency across the datacenters and development environments,” said Bill Laing, general manager of Windows Server Division at Microsoft Corp. “With 64-bit multi-core technology, Direct Connect Architecture and built-in virtualization, AMD Opteron processors continue to provide Microsoft Windows customers with an innovative platform. Looking ahead, we believe Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 running with Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors will provide a compelling development and deployment platform to drive customers’ dynamic IT environments.”

Optimal Virtualization Performance

Datacenters depend on virtualization software as an essential tool to consolidate server workloads, operate more securely, and enable disaster recovery. Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors with Direct Connect Architecture excel in virtualized environments because of the integrated memory controller4 for reduced memory latency, and Rapid Virtualization Indexing, a new AMD innovation in AMD Virtualization™ technology designed to reduce the overhead associated with software virtualization. Rapid Virtualization Indexing takes functionality that was previously performed in software and greatly accelerates it by performing those functions within the CPU to help enable near-real time application performance.

Investment Protection

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors maintain compatibility with the socket and thermal envelopes of Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors to enable a seamless customer upgrade path. AMD’s common core strategy empowers customers to scale with one AMD architecture to reduce platform management complexity and increase datacenter uptime and productivity.

Outstanding Performance

Continuing the legacy of the AMD Opteron processor family, Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors introduce several new ground-breaking technologies enabling impressive results across a suite of benchmarks. Within comparable thermal bands, Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors outperform the competition on several industry-standard benchmarks including: SPECfp®_rate2006, SPEC®int_2006, SPECompM®2001Base, STREAM, Fluent and LS-DYNA. For more details on the performance of Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors, please visit http://www.amd.com/opteronperformance.

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