AMD Announces Three Core Chips !

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is reportedly introducing triple-core Phenom processors to its much decorated chips portfolio. The three-core chips will essentially be quad-core Phenom processors -- with one core disabled, according to AMD.
In a way, the company is looking to make concrete use of four-cores that don't quite make the cut instead of relegating them to scrap. While a balanced approach towards multiple cores is common practice, AMD has it that even an odd number of chips can make light work out of a single workload. Part of AMD's roadmap update, the company indicated that it's 'Toliman' triple-core chip would be out in 2008; the 'Heka' triple-core chip in 2009; and a Gen-Next 'Regor' dual-core chip -- also in 2009. Meanwhile, the timing of AMD's announcement is precariously close to the ongoing Intel Developer Forum, yet consumers are likely to see the move more as addition of yet another mid-range chip to somewhat blur the dividing lines between a high end Phenom and a low end single-core Athlon.

AMD Intros Quad-Core Processor !

AMD has introduced its first Quad-Core Opteron processor, which promises a 50% increase in performance, energy efficiency, virtualization, and investment protection. Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are claimed to be the world s most energy-efficient x86 architecture, which include power-saving technologies such as:
- CoolCore Technology, which reduces energy consumption by turning off unused parts of the processor; - Independent Dynamic Core Technology, an enhancement to AMD PowerNow! Technology, which allows each core to vary its clock frequency depending on the system load and performance requirement; and - Dual Dynamic Power Management (DDPM), which independently supplies power to the cores and the memory controller, allowing them to operate on different voltages, determined by usage. DDPM is available in most Quad-Core AMD Opteron processor-based platforms being introduced. The new Opteron processors feature Direct Connect Architecture that, in presence of the integrated memory controller, enables reduced memory latency, and Rapid Virtualization Indexing. Rapid Virtualization Indexing takes functionality that was previously performed in software. It greatly accelerates it by performing those functions within the CPU to help enable near-real time application performance. The processors also maintain compatibility with the socket and thermal envelopes of second-generation AMD Opteron processors to enable a seamless upgrade. Meanwhile, AMD claims that Opetron processors outperform the competition on several industry-standard benchmarks (within comparable thermal bands) like SPECfp_rate2006, SPECint_2006, SPECompM2001Base, STREAM, Fluent, and LS-DYNA. Along with the new processors, AMD has also introduced a new metric - Average CPU Power (ACP), which represents processor power usage, including cores, integrated memory controller, and HyperTransport technology links, while running a suite of typical, high-utilization workloads to be more indicative of the power consumption that end-users can expect. These processors are 55- and 75-watt on the ACP metric. The company also promises to state the processors Thermal Design Power (TDP) specifications as well. The systems based on Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors from global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and system-builder partners have already started shipping. Besides, some manufacturers, including Appro, Egenera, Gateway, Rackable Systems, Supermicro, and Verari have announced their Quad-Core range at the launch. In addition, AMD Phenom processor solutions, which would leverage many of the same benefits of this innovative, next-generation architecture, should be available for the desktop market in December this year.

ASUS Silent Knight CPU Cooler !

Asus has announced an upgrade to their monster cooler, the Silent Knight. The new one is called, ASUS Silent Knight II. It packs six copper tubes and 100% copper fins to chill the CPU.

A PWM function controls the fan speed to give optimal cooling. The LED still remains killer blue resembling rocket science. No word on the price and availability yet.

Intel India Introduces Quad Core Processors !

Intel India has unveiled the industry's first quad-core processors specifically designed for multi-processor (MP) servers. Intel claims the 6 new Quad-Core Xeon 7300 series processors can deliver more than twice the performance, and more than three times the performance per watt over their dual-core predecessors.
The company says the new processors will help complete it's transition to energy-efficient Core microarchitecture in less than 15 months. And that the new energy-efficient platform, together with enhanced virtualization capabilities will benefit customers in the ultimate analysis. The energy-efficient 7300 series includes frequencies up to 2.93GHz at 130 watts, several 80-watt processors and a 50-watt version optimized for four socket blades and high-density rack form factors with a frequency of 1.86GHz. The Intel 7300 chipset with Data Traffic Optimizations provides a balanced platform design with several new technologies that enhance data movement between processors, memory and I/O connections. "With the Xeon 7300 series, Intel is delivering new levels of performance and performance per watt, and driving the Intel Core microarchitecture into such innovative systems as four-socket, 16-core blades that use less energy than our older models," said R Ravichandran, director of sales, Intel South Asia. According to Intel, the 7300 series and the 7300 chipset offer up to four times the memory capacity of it's previous MP platforms, thus enabling very large consolidation ratios that can reduce space, power, and operation costs. With the introduction of the Xeon 7300, users will be able to pool all of their Intel Core microarchitecture based server resources, whether they are single-, dual- or multi-processor based, into a dynamic virtual server infrastructure that allows live virtual machine migration. Intel claims Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processor 7300 Series-based servers demonstrate outstanding virtualization capability by delivering up to 167 percent performance improvement compared to previous generation Intel processors. Servers based on Xeon 7300 series processors are expected to be announced by more than 50 system manufacturers, including HCL, Wipro, Dell, Egenera, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens, Hitachi, HP, IBM, NEC, Sun, Supermicro, and Unisys. Many software vendors such as BEA, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, and Vmware are also supporting Xeon 7300 based platforms. Additionally, the Solaris operating system and thousands of applications that operate on it can immediately take advantage of Intel Xeon 7300-based platforms. Pricing of the new quad-core processors depends on the speeds, features, and amounts ordered, and ranges between Rs 34,830 and Rs 93,618 for 1,000-unit quantities.