AMD Announces Opteron (Vans hardware Web Site )
Posted on 04/25/2002 11:33:55 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Wednesday, Apr 24 @ 14:39 PDT
SUNNYVALE, CA -- AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced that it has selected "AMD Opteron" as the brand for its 8th-generation enterprise class processor for servers and workstations, formerly code-named "SledgeHammer." The AMD Opteron(tm) processor is based on AMD's 8th-generation processor core, which will represent the landmark introduction of the industry's first x86-64 technology. The AMD Opteron processor is designed to provide investment protection, running existing 32-bit applications with unsurpassed performance, and offering customers a seamless transition to 64-bit technology.
The AMD Opteron processor will also incorporate the breakthrough HyperTransport(tm) technology, which helps to eliminate or reduce system bottlenecks, enable better efficiency, and increase throughput to improve overall system performance. With three HyperTransport interconnects, the AMD Opteron processor will be able to provide up to 19.2 gigabyte/second aggregate bandwidth for server systems, which is up to six times the throughput of the majority of today's server processors. In another key milestone, AMD announced today it is collaborating with Microsoft to incorporate 64-bit support for the future 8th-generation AMD Athlon and AMD Opteron processors into the Windows(R) operating system. AMD Opteron processors are also planned to be supported by 64-bit operating systems from major Linux vendors.
"The origin of the AMD Opteron brand name means, simply, the best. In choosing this name, AMD is conveying that the processor will give users the option to run either 32-bit or 64-bit applications, with optimal performance on both," said Ed Ellett, vice president of marketing for AMD's Computation Products Group.
The AMD Opteron processor is designed to provide flexibility, scalability and performance for demanding enterprise-class applications. It is planned to effectively compete against the Intel Xeon and Itanium processors. Unlike the proprietary and fractured solutions that currently dominate the 64-bit computing market, AMD's 64-bit solution is based on the industry-standard x86 instruction set, on which the vast majority of the world's PCs run. AMD's 64-bit solution is based on a flexible, commodity infrastructure, allowing enterprises to build smart solutions.
Shipments of the AMD Opteron processor are planned to begin in the first half of 2003.
Building on the established brand equity of the AMD Athlon(tm) brand, 8th-generation processors for desktops and notebooks are planned to build upon the AMD Athlon brand name. Shipments of AMD's 8th-generation AMD Athlon processor for desktops are slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2002.
About the AMD Opteron(tm) Processor
The AMD Opteron processor is based on AMD's eighth-generation processor core which is planned to mark the introduction of the industry's first x86-64 technology implementation. This technology is planned to preserve companies' investments in 32-bit applications while allowing a seamless transition to 64-bit computing as those companies require. The AMD Opteron processor is designed to deliver high-performance server and workstation solutions for today's most demanding enterprise applications. The processor is designed to be scalable, reliable and compatible, which can result in lower total cost of ownership. Key AMD Opteron processor innovations include an integrated memory controller, which reduces memory bottlenecks, and HyperTransport(tm) technology, which increases overall performance by removing or reducing I/O bottlenecks, increasing bandwidth and reducing latency.
About HyperTransport(tm) Technology
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, high-performance, point-to-point link for integrated circuits, and is designed to meet the bandwidth needs of tomorrow's computing and communications platforms. HyperTransport technology helps reduce the number of buses while providing a high-performance link for PCs, workstations, and servers, as well as numerous embedded applications and highly scalable multiprocessing systems. It is designed to allow chips inside of PCs, networking and communications devices to communicate with each other up to 48 times faster than with some existing bus technologies.
About AMD's x86-64 Technology
AMD's straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86 instruction set, one of the industry's most proven and widely supported technologies. AMD's x86-64 technology is designed to support applications that address large amounts of physical and virtual memory, such as high performance servers, database management systems, and CAD tools. AMD's x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into the current computing and support environment, and is designed to enable enterprises to deploy high performance 64-bit capable systems that build upon the billions of dollars already invested in 32-bit software
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They didnt taste as good as those cooked over coals, but I didn't add any flavoring wood chips for more smoke.
After a few days, his no-name whizmo 'Orb'-style CPU fan went out, and the Athlon fried in 0.008 seconds and took the motherboard and GeForce4 MX4600 video adapter along with it.
Total damage: $750. More than twice as much as the cost difference between a cooler running and better performing Intel Northwood-cored P4 2.4Ghz processor that has a thermal shutdown feature.
Athlons benchmark very VERY well, and the price can't be beat.
However, you get what you pay for, and in my pal's case it was 'misery'.
I think these new 64 bit processors are to be built with a .13 micron process so perhaps they will run cooler.
Id file a law suit against the Orb mfger and settle out of court for 5000 dollars.
Im serious.
They have for a while, just not very many realized it.
I refuse to have so many fans in my rig that it sounds like a Harrier jumpjet on takeoff. That's for AMD people, God bless 'em.
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