940 versus 940. That may be the confusing Intel-AMD processor model-number juxtaposing that consumers can look forward to next year.
A Chinese Web site has posted details of Advanced Micro Devices' upcoming Phenom II desktop processors, of which at least two are due to be launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.
The post on HKEPC lists more than a dozen new models due to be launched during the next eight months. AMD is now moving its chips to 45-nanometer process technology from an older 65-nanometer process. Generally, smaller geometries result in faster and more power-efficient processors.
Processors listed include the quad-core Phenom II X4 920 and Phenom II X4 940 due in January, rated at 2.8GHz and 3.0GHz, respectively.
Interestingly (and maybe not coincidentally), AMD's high-end Phenom II X4 920 and 940 model numbers match those of Intel's Core i7-920 (2.66GHz) and i7-940 (2.93GHz).
Both the AMD and Intel models are 45nm quad-core desktop processors with large caches. High-end Phenom II processors come with 8MB of cache memory. Typically, the more cache memory, the better the performance.
Other processors listed include the Phenom II X4 810 and 805, both due in February, rated at 2.6GHz and 2.5GHz, respectively, according to HKEPC. These have 6MB of cache memory.
HKEPC also lists triple-core Phenom II X3 processors and Athlon X4 processors.
The site also posted a table showing new naming scheme for the processors.
AMD will bring out its first generation of 45nm processors just as Intel is beginning commercial shipments of its second-generation 45nm product, the Core i7, which Intel officially introduced on November 17.
Advanced Micro Devices will bring out processors early next year--at the latest--that appear to be much more competitive with Intel offerings, according to a report.
The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based chipmaker has struggled of late competing with a crush of new 45-nanometer desktop processors from Intel. Typically, as geometries get smaller, processors become faster and more power efficient. AMD is currently shipping 65-nanometer processors.
AMD 45-nanometer quad-core die
(Credit: AMD)AMD will meet this challenge with the first desktop processors based on its own 45-nanometer process technology. Initial models are due go into production in the fourth quarter, according to Chinese-language Web Site HKEPC, which lists 10 new AMD processors expected to be released during the next three quarters.
The Web site cites motherboard manufacturers as its source.
Processor code names include Deneb and Propus. Two versions of the former will go into production in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Web site. Deneb processors running from 2.6GHz to 3.0GHz will have a thermal envelope of 125 watts.
Other Deneb processors, with a thermal envelope of 95 watts, are due in the first quarter of 2009. These will have core clock speeds between 2.4GHz and 2.8GHz, according to HKEPC.
All Deneb processors will have prodigious amounts of cache memory to speed performance. Some are listed with 6MB of level-3 cache memory and 2MB of level-2 cache.
Processors dubbed Propus will have smaller amounts of cache memory: typically 2MB of level-2 cache only. The Propus EE processors will have thermal envelopes as low as 45 watts and 2MB level-3 cache memory, according to HKEPC. These will go into production in the first and second quarters, the Web site reported.
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