AMD today releases it's new B3 revision Phenom X4 processors. Solved and free's of the nasty TLB issues, the new and new, old CPUs are set to finally give Intel some reasonable competition and offer customers parts with a good performance-price ratio.

Coming in AM2+ form, the Phenon 9050 series CPUs go from 2.2 GHz (Phenom 9550), 2.3 GHz (9650) through 2.4 GHz (9750), and 2.5 GHz (9850 Black Edition) and all feature HyperTransport 3.0, a DDR2-supporting memory controller and 2MB of shared L3 cache. These B3 processors have 95W (9550, 9650, 9750) or 125W (9750 and 9850 BE) TDPs and are set to become widely available in April.

In the 8000 series we now spot the tri-core Phenom as well. The tri-core CPUs includes two Phenom parts that are set for "gamers and digital media enthusiasts" who want a good performance per price ratio and they are basically quad-cores with one busted and disabled core. Codenamed Toliman, the triple-core Phenom 8400 and 8600 are clocked at 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz respectively.

In terms of prices, the Phenom 9550 will be $209, the 9650 $215, the 9750 still $215 while the only B3 and highest-end Black Edition Phenom, the 9850 will cost $235, in 1000-unit tray quantities. The prices of the last three CPUs will go live on April 7 so that's probably the day they will start hitting the stores in sufficient numbers.

We're also expecting to see a 9850 Black Edition as well as the 9950 clocked at 2.6GHz, but these parts aren't listed yet.

AMD expects to launch its triple-core Phenom 8400 and 8600 at CeBIT 2008 along with its low-power quad-core Phenom 9100e, however the quad-core Phenom 9700 and 9900 CPUs, which were originally scheduled to launch at the same time, will be delayed for both launch and showcase to a later time, according to sources at motherboard makers.

Intel Corporation unveiled 16 products today at the International 2008 Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas - including the company’s first 45 nanometer (nm) processors for Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology based laptops.

All of these new chips include the company’s new transistor formula and 45nm manufacturing process that boost a PC’s speed, reduces power requirements, saves on battery life, helps the environment and comes in smaller packages for more fashionable and compact computer designs. With the introduction of the new processors, Intel will be offering a total of 32 desktop, laptop and server processors based on these industry-leading innovations.

The company also highlighted how it will take advantage of its transistor and manufacturing advances to spur a category of small form-factor, low-powered, high-performance devices that deliver broadband Internet access “in your pocket.” The processors are up to 25 percent smaller than previous versions so computer makers can create sleek, new designs for consumers ranging from stylish all-in-one desktop PCs to smaller notebooks.

Among the 16 new products, 12 are designed for new laptops and desktops products and four are for servers. All are now lead-free1 and, starting this year, halogen-free2, making the processors a more eco-friendly.

“The new products we’re announcing today provide consumers and businesses with the benefit of sleeker and higher-performing laptops and more powerful and fashionable PCs that deliver for the most hard-core gamer, high-definition enthusiast and just about every other consumer demand,” said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager, mobile platforms group, Intel. “And later this year, Intel will begin delivering the mobile Internet with much smaller, lighter and powerful Internet-enabled devices that ultimately will fit right into your pocket.”

Intel Adds Mobile Processors to Line-up
Intel is shipping five new mobile processors, enabling breakthrough performance and improved battery life, providing consumers with the ability to be more productive or just enjoy their digital entertainment while on the go. Helping to extend battery life is also a new Intel Core microarchitecture design feature for advanced power management state called Deep Power Down Technology that reduces the power of the processor when it’s not running data or instructions to the laptop.

The processors are the foundation for the company’s popular Intel® Centrino® technology for laptops, and deliver improved content and video capabilities with HD DVD* and Blu-Ray* support with an optional third-party decoder. Centrino-based notebooks also come with the Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset and wireless networking including the optional support for 802.11n networks with Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N.
Intel has also added new video and graphics capabilities with Intel® HD Boost that includes Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions 4 (SSE4) for speeding up workloads including video encoding for high-definition and photo manipulation.
Intel will also use this mobile technology foundation and energy-efficient performance to enable a variety of smaller, cooler and quieter, stylish desktop designs. These computers, including the increasingly popular “all-in-one” category, provide the performance to run a variety of digital media and the latest software simultaneously, as well as enhanced high-definition video and smoother playback using Intel® Clear Video Technology.

More Mobility on Tap: in Your Pocket; Wireless WiMAX
Pushing the power of the full Internet “in your pocket,” Intel’s strategy for using low-power Intel Architecture platforms that drastically reduce CPU and chipset power, and package size continues to gain momentum. Intel plans to ship in the first half of this year its first-generation low-power platform chipset that will help deliver a range of ultra mobile and mobile Internet devices from a growing ecosystem of customers.
Intel also continues to work closely with carriers around the world to deploy mobile WiMAX networks. These networks will help deliver true high-speed mobile Internet experiences to a variety of digital devices starting later this year.

Mainstream Desktop PCs Get 45nm Performance and Efficiency Boost
Building on its November 2007 introduction (the Intel® Core™2 Extreme quad-core processor QX9650), Intel announced three quad core and four dual core 45nm-based processors for mainstream desktop PCs arriving later this month and throughout the first quarter of the year.
The new Intel® Core™ 2 Quad and Intel Core™ 2 Duo processor offerings will speed the transition to Intel’s newest processor line and multicore adoption, and are arriving at a time when digital and high-definition content, including photos, home videos, music, television shows and social networking, continues to grow exponentially.

Consumers will realize more performance at a variety of PC purchase prices as these processors feature a range of clock speeds, large L2 caches, and also come equipped with Intel® HD Boost (SSE4 instructions). These 45nm processors are also a requirement for computer-makers carrying the Intel Core™2 Processor with Viiv™ technology brand, making it easier for consumers to select a great entertainment PC with Intel’s most innovative technologies.
Dual core desktop processor-based PCs using these new processors begin shipping this month; quad core-based systems plan to arrive later this quarter.
The company also introduced four Intel Xeon processors for servers and workstations; they are expected to ship this quarter.

AMD is preparing the launch of its next-generation K10-derivedStars-family single, dual and quad-core processors. The next-generation Stars-family splits into three different brand names – Phenom, Athlon and Sempron. Ringing in the flagship are three Agena FX-based AMD Phenom FX processors. AMD has yet to confirm clock speeds for the three models; however, the latest roadmap reveals ballparks for the processors.

The top-end AMD Phenom FX processor clocks in the 2.4-2.6 GHz speed range. Slotting below the top-end Phenom FX is a 2.2-2.4 GHz model. These two models occupy AMD’s upcoming Socket 1207+ and current Socket 1207 Quad FX platforms. AMD also has a Phenom FX for single-processor customers as well, clocked at 2.4-2.6 GHz.

AMD further differentiates its Phenom FX processors with different Hyper Transport 3.0 clock speeds. The flagship 2.4-2.6 GHz model features a 3.6 GHz HT 3.0 clock speed while the two 2.2-2.4 GHz models have a lower 3.2 GHz HT 3.0 clock. All three models share the same 4x512KB L2 cache and 2MB L3 cache configuration. AMD has yet to determine the TDP of its Phenom FX processors.

Catering towards high-end user are two Socket AM2+ AMD Phenom X4 processors. AMD remains undecided on its model numbers; however, clock speeds on the Agena-based Phenom X4 processors are set. The two AMD Phenom X4 processors clock in at 2.4 GHz and 2.2 GHz. These models share the same 4x512KB L2 cache and 2MB L3 cache configuration as the Phenom FX processors.

HT 3.0 speeds differ on the two models, the 2.4 GHz features a 3.6 GHz HT 3.0 speed while the 2.2 GHz model features a 3.2 GHz HT 3.0 speed. AMD rates the Phenom X4 processors with 89W TDPs. AMD plans to start taking orders for its Phenom FX and Phenom X4 processors in Q3’2007.

AMD’s dual-core Kuma processors will carry the Phenom X2 name and drop into Socket AM2+ and AM2 motherboards. There are three AMD Phenom X2 processors in the pipeline with 2.8 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 2.4 GHz clock speeds. HT 3.0 speeds vary on the AMD Phenom X2 processors. At the top with the AMD Phenom X2 2.8 GHz model. The HT 3.0 bus clocks in at 4.2 GHz – higher than the Phenom FX and Phenom X4 models. The two lower models have 3.8 GHz and 3.6 GHz HT 3.0 clock speeds, respectively.

All three models feature a 2x512KB L2 cache and 2MB L3 cache configuration. The higher end 2.8 GHz has an 89W TDP, similar to the Phenom X4 models, while the 2.6 GHz and 2.4 GHz receive a lower 65W TDP rating. AMD plans to take orders for its Phenom X2 processors beginning in Q4’2007.

If low power is a concern, AMD intends to offer three low power AMD Phenom X2 models. AMD rates these models with 45W TDPs. The low power Phenom X2 clocks in at 2.3 GHz, 2.1 GHz and 1.9 GHz with 3.4 GHz, 3.0 GHz and 2.8 GHz HT 3.0 speeds, respectively.

Although AMD plans to launch its new Phenom branding for high-end processors, the Athlon 64 X2 name lives on with Rana. There’s one Rana model in the pipeline clocked at 2.2 GHz. The Rana-based Athlon 64 X2 does away with L3 cache and only has 2x512KB of L2 cache, differentiating it from the Kuma-based AMD Phenom X2.

At the bottom of the Stars-family are the Spica Sempron models. Two Spica Sempron models occupy AMD’s value lineup. The new Spica Sempron models clock in at 2.4 GHz and 2.2 GHz with 512KB of L2 cache. As with the dual and quad-core products, the two Spica Sempron models have 3.6 GHz and 3.2 GHz HT 3.0 clocks, respectively. AMD rates the Spica Sempron models with 45W TDPs, as with the low power Phenom X2 models.

AMD plans to take orders for its low power Kuma Phenom X2, Rana Athlon 64 X2 and Spica Sempron models beginning in Q1’2008.

AMD plans to release its K10-derived Stars-family desktop processors later this year. The new Stars-family processors take advantage of AMD’s Socket AM2+, an updated Socket AM2 platform that adds support for the faster Hyper Transport 3.0 bus. AMD’s latest roadmap divulges information on its upcoming Hyper Transport 3.0 compatible chipset family, arriving in Q3’2007.

The new AMD discrete graphics chipset family includes four new chipsets ranging from the entry-level RX740 to the flagship RD790. At the top of the discrete graphics lineup is the RD790, which replaces the current AMD 580X. The RD790 serves double duty in AMD’s chipset lineup, powering AMD’s Quad FX Socket 1207+ and Socket AM2 platforms.

AMD’s flagship packs plenty of PCI Express flexibility with up to four physical PCIe x16 slots. The four slots can electrically operate with four 8-lane slots, one 16-lane and three 8-lane, or two 16-lane slots. There are six additional PCIe lanes for additional expansion. The RD790 is fully PCIe 2.0 compatible. AMD plans to target RD790 towards the $150 plus market.

Taking place of the AMD 480X is the upcoming RD780. The new RD780 supports two physical PCIe x16 slots in dual eight-lane configurations. The two PCIe x16 slots are fully PCIe 2.0 compatible. Slotted below the RD780 is the RX780, which does away with CrossFire multi-GPU support. The RX780 supports a single PCIe 2.0 x16 slot. Both chipsets support AMD’s Hyper Transport 3.0 bus. RD780 will target the $70-100 price points while the RX780 takes on the $50-70 price points.

AMD also intends to offer more value conscious consumers the RX740. This chipset features support for AMD’s Socket AM2+, however, it only supports Hyper Transport 1.0. The RX740 does not support PCIe 2.0 either.RX740 will take on the same $50-70 price points as the RX780.

AMD RD780, RX780 and RX740 can also share the same motherboard design, simplifying the design process. The four new chipsets pair up with AMD’s existing SB600 south bridge, as the SB700 won’t be ready until Q4’2007.

The new chipsets will also feature a Windows-based tweaking utility – AMD System Utility. The AMD System Utility allows users to tweak memory settings, automatically overclock the processor, test system stability and benchmark the processor and memory.

AMD is also preparing its next-generation integrated graphics chipsets for Q1’2008 as well. The new IGP family includes the DirectX 10 compatible RS780 and RS780C. AMD’s upcoming RS780 has all the processing and connectivity goodies. RS780 is the first IGP chipset to feature AMD’s Universal Video Decoder, which debuts with the ATI Radeon HD 2000-family.

UVD provides hardware acceleration for H.264/AVC and VC-1 high-definition video formats up to 40Mbits. Joining the UVD is support for DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort output connectivity. Targeting the value market is the RS780C. RS780C does away with UVD and DisplayPort support. Nevertheless, RS780 and RS780C support PCIe 2.0 and Hyper Transport 3.0.

Slotting below the RS780C is the DirectX 9 compatible RS740. RS740 supports Socket AM2+, but is limited to Hyper Transport 1.0 like the RX740. It is limited to PCIe 1.0 as with the RX740. Nevertheless, RS740 supports DVI and HDMI video outputs. AMD plans to launch RS740 before the RS780 and RS780C in Q4’2007.

In addition to upcoming chipsets, AMD’s roadmap divulges HQV Benchmark scores for its RS780 and RS740 chipsets. AMD’s upcoming RS780 will score a perfect 130 points while the RS740 scores 105 points. The current AMD 690G scores 80 points while Intel’s G965 scores 48 points.

Unlike AMD’s discrete graphics chipsets, the IGP products pair up with the upcoming SB700 south bridge. SB700 delivers six SATA 3.0Gbps ports with RAID 0, 1, 10, 5 support, fourteen USB ports and NAND flash memory option.

Intel today advanced its enthusiast-level quad-core processor family with the introduction of the Intel® Core?E2 Extreme processor QX6800. Here are some of the key messages from the press releases :

· QX6800 is produced on Intel’s industry-leading 65 nanometer process, key to enabling the large 8 megabyte cache. A 1066 MHz system bus is supported and the processor is available now at a cost of $1,199.
· Running at 2.93 GHz—the fastest clock speed yet reached with the Intel® Core?E microarchitecture for the quad-core desktop--this addition to Intel’s innovative processor family sets new standards for desktop PC performance
· Some of the most exciting titles of the year such as Crytek’s Crysis*, Gas Powered Games?ESupreme Commander*, and Flagship’s Hellgate London* have undergone substantial joint engineering efforts with Intel to use more than two processing threads to their advantage

We also heard that boxed QX6800 will be available to Channel Systems Integrators and over 35 of them will be selling systems based on this processor. We can expect even greater overclocked speeds from this part over the predecessor. Although Intel is launching this processor with thermal specs based on liquid cooling but air cooling is still possible as long as it meets the thermal specifications defined by Intel.

Before AMD is able to launch its quad-core processors, Intel will aggressively cut prices of quad-core desktop processors. Intel and AMD’s price wars are not just affecting desktop products, however. The price wars continue with server and workstation products as well. Intel’s latest roadmap reveals two new Xeon processors and aggressive quad-core price cuts in Q3’07.

The Intel Xeon X5300-series receives a speed bump to 3.0 GHz in the form of the new quad-core Xeon DP X5365. It will operate on a 1333 MHz front-side-bus with 8MB of L2 cache like the other products in the quad-core Xeon DP lineup. The new quad-core Xeon DP X5365 will launch at the price of $1,172 per processor in 1,000 unit quantities.

Intel expects to cut prices of existing quad-core Xeon DP processors in July 2007 as well. The previous flagship quad-core Xeon DP X5355 drops down to $744 from its current $1172 price in July. The other two 1333 MHz front-side-bus endowed Xeon DP E5355 and E5335 will cost $455 and $316 per processor, in 1,000 unit quantities after the July 2007 price cuts. Intel’s two quad-core Xeon DP processors with 1066 MHz front-side buses, models E5320 and E5310, will drop to $256 and $209, respectively.

 Further expanding its quad-core processor family line-up, Intel Corporation today announced two energy-efficient 50-watt server processors that represent a 35- to nearly 60-percent decrease in power from Intel’s existing 80- and 120-watt quad-core server products. As companies increasingly focus on reducing electricity bills and cooling costs associated with their computing needs, these new processors, requiring just 12.5 watts of power for each of the four cores or processing engines, deliver similar performance yet set a new standard in energy efficiency. Intel has introduced 11 server, workstation and desktop PC quad-core processors since November.

Servers based on the new low-power, quad-core processors are designed for dense Internet datacenters, blade servers and industries such as financial services where the scale and density of servers are highly sensitive to power, real estate and cooling costs. The potential for cost savings by replacing aging infrastructure with Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors and deploying virtualization technology can be as much as $6,000 per year over the lifetime of each server based on Intel’s own evaluations.

In addition, these new processors represent a nearly ten-fold improvement in power consumption per core in just 1 ½ years.  The company attributes this collective success to the merits of its breakthrough Intel Core microarchitecture and aggressive design execution. “Intel has really responded to the industry’s call to deliver unprecedented breakthroughs for data center energy efficiency,” said Kirk Skaugen, vice president of Intel’s Digital Enterprise Group and general manager of the Server Platform Group. “IT managers can get outstanding quad-core Intel Xeon server performance today and at no premium to dual-core products. We are thrilled to drive further records in lower power consumption and we won’t stop here. Our engineers and architects are passionate about delivering even more power-saving innovations down the road.”

Intel is introducing two low-voltage processors: the Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor L5320 and L5310. The new 50-watt quad-core processors operate at 1.86 GHz and 1.60 GHz, respectively, feature a unique 8 megabytes (MB) of on die cache for faster memory data communication and run on dedicated 1066 MHz front side buses. In 1,000 unit quantities the L5320 is priced at $519 and the L5310 at $455. These processors can be coupled with Intel’s existing “Bensley” server platform and have been designed to be “drop-in” compatible with the existing Dual-Core and Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor families.

Servers based on these new processors are expected to be available worldwide over the next few months from Acer, Dell, Digital Henge, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, HCL, IBM, Lenovo, Rackable Systems, Samsung, Verari, Wipro and other companies.