AM3+ is backward compatible with the AM3, but Bulldozer is for AM3+ only

[Manicdan]

AFAIK, I thought the difference between a board being compatible or a non compatible with BD was power distribution (and BIOS, of course) and not necessarily the chipset, a bit like how S775 was changed in 2006.

im really wondering what the setback was too, why did servers workout fine and client has to get a new chipset? which then begs the question, is the server side not going to have the same features for power, simply because they dont care about cores being idle as much on servers? the TDP of a client chip is the limit for max, but can be reached in many ways based on how many cores are running. but for servers they expect it to just be running max load all the time and may not have required any special features to get that extra perf out of it.

[Mats]

im really wondering what the setback was too, why did servers workout fine and client has to get a new chipset? which then begs the question, is the server side not going to have the same features for power, simply because they dont care about cores being idle as much on servers? the TDP of a client chip is the limit for max, but can be reached in many ways based on how many cores are running. but for servers they expect it to just be running max load all the time and may not have required any special features to get that extra perf out of it.

I think the answer is quite obvious, the server sockets are new, while AM3 is carrying some legacy. Like I said before, it's more about new power distribution and less about chipset type. I wouldn't be surprised if BD worked in a 890FX AM3+ board, but that wouldn't help us much.

You don't know if the desktop BD chips were finished when the 800 series chips came out.

Well the chipsets came at the same time as the new server sockets, so to me it seems like setting the same standard on all sockets at the same time would have been the right thing to do.

I hope you never buy an Intel platform, you'll explode.

Hey, don't get me started! Actually, what makes me upset is the thought of all the people here at XS who bought an AM3 board this spring with the intention to upgrade to BD next year. Yeah, it's their money, but I really feel sorry for them.

Look, even AMD admitted they tried to keep the AM3 socket before changing their minds.

[Sn0wm@n]

the servers have platforms that are designed to last for 5 years or so .. so of course they have planned it a long time ago .. but bulldozer on the desktop side wasnt done when the 800 series chipset was done ... so of course new chipset .. but they kept backward compatibility .. wich is good for us

[MrMojoZ]

the servers have platforms that are designed to last for 5 years or so .. so of course they have planned it a long time ago .. but bulldozer on the desktop side wasnt done when the 800 series chipset was done ... so of course new chipset .. but they kept backward compatibility .. wich is good for us

This is how I pictured it going down. I would have bought a new motherboard either way though when BD hit, just how I plan my builds.

[Sn0wm@n]

exactly ... bd = new arch = new mobo for me .. that's why i only made a cheapo am3 build to tide me over until bulldozer arrive

[Manicdan]

Actually, what makes me upset is the thought of all the people here at XS who bought an AM3 board this spring with the intention to upgrade to BD next year. Yeah, it's their money, but I really feel sorry for them.

Look, even AMD admitted they tried to keep the AM3 socket before changing their minds.

i hope those people will be happy with Thuban until AM4 comes out. chances are if they need a top of the line BD chip, they will be ok with buying a new motherboard. keep in mind how small of a market was hurt, so that EVERYONE can be happier with BD. how many people actually bought a 800 series AM3 board with an intention of dropping in a 400$ cpu 12 months later? less than 10,000 people?

if it really was going to hurt AMD that much, maybe they offer a discounted upgrade. show you purchases a 800 series board after the days AM3 was announced as compatible, and before it was announced as incompatible, and send them a rebate for 50$ off a new board. it might cost them in the end less than an advertisement, and get them lots of respect and media attention.

[AbortRetryFail?]

but you knew from the start that an oem license had those con's ... so why blame amd for something that you should have tought right from the start ...

....

I didn't publish the Roadmap 9 months ago and claim that BD Zambezi would run on an AM3 socket It was also (just a little) slimy the way they 'leaked' non-support of AM3 through a German web site.



I did my *due diligence* and transitioned multiple rigs legally to AM3/DDR3 based upon the AMD Roadmap with the specific intention of upgrading to BD Zambezi.

I'm as great an AMD supporter as anyone (and will continue to be), but if folks can't see how AMD screwed the pooch on this one they need to remove their Fanboy Glasses.

[MrMojoZ]

I did my *due diligence* and transitioned multiple rigs legally to AM3/DDR3 based upon the AMD Roadmap with the specific intention of upgrading to BD Zambezi.

Maybe don't plan builds 2 years in advance? Just a suggestion.

Oh and road maps usually change. I'm just floored you had all this laid out for a product that was so far away.

[AbortRetryFail?]

Maybe don't plan builds 2 years in advance? Just a suggestion.

Oh and road maps usually change. I'm just floored you had all this laid out for a product that was so far away.

Q2-2010 to Q2-2011 ?

(I might be mistaken but my understanding is BD Zambezi 'taped-out* in June of this year)

Please take pity on me ... make checks payable to AbortRetryFail?

I'm done! Back to lurking, sports fans ....

[Mats]

how many people actually bought a 800 series AM3 board with an intention of dropping in a 400$ cpu 12 months later? less than 10,000 people?

That's the people I care about, I don't care about the Dell buyers.
But what you say is only part of the situation. Yes, new CPU, new board, that's nothing wrong really.
I'm just curious how long the AM socket series will last, and when it will run out of pins...

If the first gen AM3+ boards will last for two generations of BD I'd be more than happy!

[Manicdan]

i think AM is a great name for the platform, its the boards that do not have fusion, and pins can still be added as long as the last gens pins still fit. it just cannot take on MAJOR changes without first chopping off all its history.

the AM2+ was a damn blessing. i had a 5000+BE @ 3.2ghz, and now a 1055T @ 3.4ghz/4.1Ghz turbo. talk about a long lifespan

[MrMojoZ]

Q2-2010 to Q2-2011 ?

(I might be mistaken but my understanding is BD Zambezi 'taped-out* in June of this year)

Please take pity on me ... make checks payable to AbortRetryFail?

I'm done! Back to lurking, sports fans ....

You are referencing a 9 month old roadmap aren't you? Thats basing your purchasing decisions a long way out, I just don't think thats a good idea.

[FreeRadical]

I shall ask Santa for Athlon III X6s and wish they support the AM3 board I bought
(you gotta do something with those 45nm Thubans and Zosmas right? They should work on both AM3 and AMR3+, disable the DDR2 IMC if you may! ) :/

May that bring peace to the hearts and minds of people who buy an 8 series board till AMD launches BD. Amen!