View Full Version : AMD Readies “Thuban” Six-Core Desktop Processor.
PoppaGeek
09-01-2009, 02:37 PM
Was hoping for sooner rather than later but at least it looks official, i guess. Should be a nice cruncher if price is not too high.
Advanced Micro Devices is preparing a desktop processor with six processing engines, sources familiar with the company’s plans revealed. The new central processing units (CPUs) will not be available this year, but are likely to boost performance of AMD’s desktop platforms sometime in 2010.
AMD’s processor code-named Thuban is the company’s first desktop processor with six processing engines. The microprocessors will be compatible with socket AM3 infrastructure and will have integrated dual-channel PC3-10600 (DDR3 1333MHz) memory controller. It is very likely that Thuban processors will retain AMD Phenom II brand name as well as design of the code-named Istanbul chips for servers, thus, will feature 3MB L2 cache (512KB per core) and 6MB of L3 cache. The chips will be made using 45nm SOI fabrication process.
More to read at:
xbitlabs (http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20090901145236_AMD_Readies_Thuban_Six_Core_Desktop _Processor.html)
Was also posted in News section by someone else.
This is brand new news to me :shrug:
What's the difference with the Istanbul core ?
Oc-Ghost
09-01-2009, 02:56 PM
Thuban could be/is codename for desktop version of Instanbul. :)
Not really news worthy, they always release a desktop part. And there's no speed and pricing info.. :rolleyes:
Would be fun though if you could overclock them to 3.5 and crunch :up:
Why wait till Q3 2010 then ? Doesn't make sense to me :confused:
Otis11
09-01-2009, 03:34 PM
Oh, dang... I was hoping that it would pop out sooner and give them more of a competative edge against the i7. (With 6 true cores would probably beat it with HT)
If they're inovating this fast now, imagine it when they're both vying for the same part of the market.
PoppaGeek
09-01-2009, 04:01 PM
If the chip is not due out till May at earliest and upto a year from now I would not expect pricing info. Why it is taking so long baffles me.
But truthfully the whole article gives me the impression someone is trying to meet a minimum number of words. The fifth paragraph is silly.
And how is a 2.8gz 6-core not fast enough to release??
Just wish they would release sooner.
labs23
09-01-2009, 04:06 PM
So 2010 is going to be Thuban vs. Gulftown then?:rolleyes:
jcool
09-01-2009, 04:46 PM
I think I'm waiting for Magny-Cours ;)
Unless these things OC like hell and are dirt cheap ^^
PoppaGeek
09-01-2009, 04:47 PM
2 more articles with some platform, chipset info.
TechPowerUp (http://www.techpowerup.com/102903/AMD_Preparing__Thuban__Desktop_Six-Core_Processor.html)
VR-Zone (http://vr-zone.com/articles/amd-leo-2010-platform--enthusiasts-dream-setup-/7537.html?doc=7537)
Otis11
09-01-2009, 06:00 PM
twelve cores in one socket would be sweet! Not to mention SATA 6 Gb/s and USB 3.0 - but Q3... come on now AMD!
I think I'm waiting for Magny-Cours ;)
Unless these things OC like hell and are dirt cheap ^^
hehehehe Ive spotted a vicious german buddy :clap: :up::up::up: .. I ""Only aim"" to do a super barcelona server in some months when Ive got some $
jcool
09-02-2009, 01:23 PM
You can have mine for what I paid, if I don't sell it until then :)
xVeinx
09-02-2009, 01:44 PM
I think the reason they don't have a desktop variant is because of yields/volume. They are devoting them solely for the business sector I imagine...
Istanbul is a MCM design , no ? 3 dualcores glued together .
So I wouldn't think yields/volume are an issue.
Trunks
09-02-2009, 02:31 PM
Istanbul is a MCM design , no ? 3 dualcores glued together .
So I wouldn't think yields/volume are an issue.
Istanbul = native six-core
Chumbucket843
09-02-2009, 03:00 PM
Istanbul is a MCM design , no ? 3 dualcores glued together .
So I wouldn't think yields/volume are an issue.
istanbul = 346mm^2
PoppaGeek
09-02-2009, 03:27 PM
Six-core Phenom IIs might appear next year (http://techreport.com/discussions.x/17520)
X-bit labs raises an interesting question, though. Why would AMD wait more than a year after the six-core Istanbul Opteron launch before releasing an equivalent desktop product? AMD's server platform roadmap reveals a likely answer. The Istanbul design only supports DDR2-800 memory, because AMD has kept the same Socket F platform on the server side since the dual-core days. However, it will release new platforms and new, DDR3-supporting Opterons next year. If Thuban exists, it could be a derivative of not Istanbul, but Lisbon, AMD's next-gen six-core offering.