AMD Preparing for Nov. '4x4' Launch

[Slimy]

The Taiwanese electronics industry daily DigiTimes is citing motherboard manufacturers there as saying they're gearing up now for production of new models that will support three new AMD premium processors.

The new FX-70, -72, and -74 models, DigiTimes was told, will effectively launch AMD's new premium platform, currently code-named '4x4.' Motherboards supporting this platform will be unique because they'll feature two CPU sockets, not just one, with each Socket 1207 designed to support dual-core CPUs.

This is a connector design generally used for Opterons rather than Athlons, so manufacturers are warning this could drive the price of premium systems up even further.

But the very introduction could drive current FX-series processor prices, such as those for the FX-62 and FX-60, down, enabling AMD to argue they're more price competitive than comparable Intel models. A mid-November launch for '4x4' would be right in time with Intel's anticipated introduction of its first consumer-grade quad-core processor, the Core 2 Extreme QX6700.

AMD will have a difficult, though not impossible, case to make for its architectural strategy. A key design decision several years ago regarding its so-called crossbar connection enabled the company to adopt dual-processor/dual-core architecture today without having to radically change its fabrication processes.

Meanwhile, Intel is readying four cores on one die, and not with 90 nm lithography like AMD, but with 65 nm, reportedly with lower power consumption. Come November, AMD may have to prove its mettle with both high performance and compelling value.

AMD declined to comment on the report.

Source

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

it's so hard to decide.. i just read intels new 80-core processor in 5 years, and they already have a prototype. i thought for sure, my next computer will be an intel, 4 core, but 2 dual-core processors are better then 1 with 4 cores. but 1 processor is cheaper then 2 :/

i guess something new will be out in 2 years that will cost even more, and be twice as good :)

[TruckWEB]

AMD 4x4 means a motherboard with dual socket for 2 DualCore CPU??

A motherboard like that is likely to cost more than a single socket board? And with Intel pushing out QuadCore into 1 CPU.... What is to gain with AMD 4x4 ??

Another thing... 4x4 means : 4 core by 4 what?? Quad SLI? How much a PC like that is going to cost?

[tony-inpo]

Damn thats going to be fast! Waiting to see what happens before upgrading I think

[Leddy]

If AMD 4x4 is two dualcore CPUs, and Intel's Quadro is 4 cores in 1 CPU, how is AMD 4x4 better, as some people contend?

4x4 isn't quad core, it's two CPUs linked by HyperTransport!

[Coolme]

AMD may have passed this round, but after 4x4 they better come up with something new... fast.

[Flash]

What ever happened to reverse htt?

[L3thal Veteran]

AMD may have passed this round, but after 4x4 they better come up with something new... fast.

Agreed. They are trying to make up time with these pointless technologies while they are coming up with...nothing at this point.

[NienorGT]

If AMD 4x4 is two dualcore CPUs, and Intel's Quadro is 4 cores in 1 CPU, how is AMD 4x4 better, as some people contend?

4x4 isn't quad core, it's two CPUs linked by HyperTransport!

Core 2 Quad = 2 Core 2 Duo on same chip. It's not a full Quadcore itself. By this way, the two dual cores die are linked by the FSB...

The most bigest reason why Intel still winner, the Core 2 Quadro should work on all high-end Core 2 Duo compatible board and even some mid-range i965P chipset. AMD will use overcosly dual Socket F (1207 Pins) boards. So at the end of the story, AMD is back at the era of the Sockets 754 and 940 when Flagship CPU and servers CPU was togeter and the rest on another socket. This is stupid, how do you think will feel all people that had buy the best mobos like DFI LanParty UT NF590-SLI-M2R or ASUS Crosshair when they will learn that thier top level mobo can't support higher than the FX 64?

This mean that the AM2 will NEVER beat the Core2Extreme X6800 :p

[Leddy]

The most bigest reason why Intel still winner, the Core 2 Quadro should work on all high-end Core 2 Duo compatible board and even some mid-range i965P chipset. AMD will use overcosly dual Socket F (1207 Pins) boards. So at the end of the story, AMD is back at the era of the Sockets 754 and 940 when Flagship CPU and servers CPU was togeter and the rest on another socket. This is stupid, how do you think will feel all people that had buy the best mobos like DFI LanParty UT NF590-SLI-M2R or ASUS Crosshair when they will learn that thier top level mobo can't support higher than the FX 64?

This mean that the AM2 will NEVER beat the Core2Extreme X6800 :p

Surely a one-chip solution is cheaper to run than a two-chip solution, regardless of socket!

Two-chip solutions will require two HSFs while a one chip solution only requires one. Two sockets take up more space on the board, and introduce more circuitry.

AMD is really going nowhere fast. They'll putting out their blabber and bull... and promoting it as "lower power consumption" by comparing their 4x4 to the Paxville.

[dagamer34]

Guys, AMD 4x4 is a stop-gap solution to make sure that Intel doesn't completely rape them this winter. It's not MEANT to be upgraded to. Just go buy yourself an AM2 based system and wait for AM2/AM3 socketed native-Quad core chips, ok?