The official Bulldozer Status

[JF-AMD]

Just to keep speculation at bay, here is what was actually said:

http://budurl.com/FAD2010Bulldozer

[Manicdan]

Turbo CORE – We have disclosed that we would include AMD Turbo CORE technology in the past, so this should not be a surprise to anyone. But what is news is the uplift – up to 500MHz with all cores fully utilized. Today’s implementations of boost technology can push up the clock speed of a couple of cores when the others are idle, but with our new version of Turbo CORE you’ll see full core boost, meaning an extra 500MHz across all 16 threads for most workloads.

that part sounds like you might aswell just launch them with a 500mhz boost, and just add in a heat based throttling for when that one special thing is pulling in too much power that we would not often see

i also assume this is all about the server segment and its not directly related to client side

[Katzenschleuder]

Concrete details make people happy.

[informal]

It is a part of Zambezi feature list too .Only I suppose 500Mhz is a bit low for client part with 2x less cores within 125W thermal envelope . Say 2x that?

@ JF-AMD

Is this a typo :

“Sepang”
Market: Server
What is it: Server CPU with up to 10 next-generation “Bulldozer” CPU cores targeting 2-way highly energy efficient and cost optimized Socket C2012 platforms. Complete with three-channel DDR3 memory and integrated PCIe Gen3 I/O.
Planned for introduction: 2012

Sepang will have 3 channel IMC ,as in non-MCM version? Or it should be dual channel? I suppose as a direct successor of BDver1 and having improved cores and 2 more of them(1 more module) it would need more mem BW,but the Terramar part is listed as a quad-channel product while being the MCM of two Sepangs.So either one channel gets turned of when making Terramar or Sepang's IMC spec is a typo.

[JF-AMD]

I am not commenting on Sepang or Terramar. Not authorized to say anything today other than platform names, proc names and core count. Period.

[informal]

Ok thanks.I just thought it might be a typo in the link you provided.I guess if it stays after this it's not .

[kuroikenshi]

I am not commenting on Sepang or Terramar. Not authorized to say anything today other than platform names, proc names and core count. Period.

hehe Hey J, you should mod your sig a lil bit so that it says:

While I work for AMD, my posts are my own opinions... so long I do not breach contractual agreements

[duploxxx]

8core BD with higher clock on a G34 package... thx AMD for listening to customer feedback.... you can already put a few 100 in a pre order for me , now i don't need to explain to my management not to move back to Intel because of core license sw cost.

I still find 4xxx server series a failure due to the limited offer by OEM, they would rather make 25 layouts of the same Intel chipset in a different form then just adding one additional line from AMD... a real pitty.

[kuroikenshi]

8core BD with higher clock on a G34 package... thx AMD for listening to customer feedback.... you can already put a few 100 in a pre order for me , now i don't need to explain to my management not to move back to Intel because of core license sw cost.

Isn't it nice when you don't have to explain the intricate details since 90% of the times they only pretend to be listening whilst looking at the report..

[Oliverda]

It is a part of Zambezi feature list too .Only I suppose 500Mhz is a bit low for client part with 2x less cores within 125W thermal envelope . Say 2x that?

@ JF-AMD

Is this a typo :

Sepang will have 3 channel IMC ,as in non-MCM version? Or it should be dual channel? I suppose as a direct successor of BDver1 and having improved cores and 2 more of them(1 more module) it would need more mem BW,but the Terramar part is listed as a quad-channel product while being the MCM of two Sepangs.So either one channel gets turned of when making Terramar or Sepang's IMC spec is a typo.

...or the Terramar will have six-channel IMC. Anyway I can imagine that the 2012's 8-10 cores BD will have tri-channel IMC. I think that "Komodo" will need tri-channel for the 8 nextgen BD cores + GPU (which GPU probably will be stronger than which is in the Llano).


“Sepang”
Market: Server
What is it: Server CPU with up to 10 next-generation “Bulldozer” CPU cores
targeting 2-way highly energy efficient and cost optimized Socket C2012 platforms. Complete with three-channel DDR3 memory and integrated PCIe Gen3 I/O. Planned for introduction: 2012

“Terramar”
Market: Server
What is it? Server CPU with up to 20 next-generation “Bulldozer” CPU cores
targeting the 2- and 4-way performance-per-watt and expandable Socket G2012 platforms. Complete with quad-channel DDR3 memory and integrated PCIe Gen3 I/O. Planned for introduction: 2012


Looks like that the MCM and non-MCM next-generation “Bulldozer” will use the same socket.

[informal]

I think that Komodo is not an APU,but a high-end CPU refresh based on BDver2 (or BD++) .

BTW,I've just watched the Analyst Day Demo material here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uy5o2Cej6Y&feature=sub

As can be seen in BD demo part,the 30% utilization while running HD video is done on purpose by an application called CPU consumer.AMD dialed the CPU utilization target in the application at 30%.
Also in the same video one can see Llano churning thru both latest DX11 game and HD video playback in parallel,while at the same time showing ~50% CPU utilization across 4 cores. This APU will crush SB iGPU with ease,it's not even funny .

[slaveondope]

8 core G34 model is very nice to hear AMD is not disregarding some clients that need raw speed and not just more cores for their work load.
Maybe dual G34 with some extra BIOS "options" may emerge

[duploxxx]

I think that Komodo is not an APU,but a high-end CPU refresh based on BDver2 (or BD++) .

BTW,I've just watched the Analyst Day Demo material here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uy5o2Cej6Y&feature=sub

As can be seen in BD demo part,the 30% utilization while running HD video is done on purpose by an application called CPU consumer.AMD dialed the CPU utilization target in the application at 30%.
Also in the same video one can see Llano churning thru both latest DX11 game and HD video playback in parallel,while at the same time showing ~50% CPU utilization across 4 cores. This APU will crush SB iGPU with ease,it's not even funny .

I like the laptop on the desk from MSI, that means the OEM are much further with there designs then I expected. Launch dates and availability will be very close.

[JF-AMD]

8core BD with higher clock on a G34 package... thx AMD for listening to customer feedback.... you can already put a few 100 in a pre order for me , now i don't need to explain to my management not to move back to Intel because of core license sw cost.

I still find 4xxx server series a failure due to the limited offer by OEM, they would rather make 25 layouts of the same Intel chipset in a different form then just adding one additional line from AMD... a real pitty.

We should chat about vmware licensing. I did some apples to apples configs and even though the sw licensing cost was higher, the total package (HW+SW) was lower than Intel. And you get the enterpise plus with all of the extra features.

[Oliverda]

I think that Komodo is not an APU,but a high-end CPU refresh based on BDver2 (or BD++) .

I believe that the Komodo will be an APU.




“Komodo”
Market: Server and Performance Desktops
What is it? “Komodo” is AMD’s next generation CPU and is primarily intended for servers and high-performance desktops. “Komodo” will feature next-generation “Bulldozer” CPU cores and, in desktop PC platforms, is designed to couple with DirectX® 11 GPUs to provide enthusiast-level system performance. Planned for introduction: 2012

click

Looks like that Zambezi will be the last dekstop AMD CPU without a GPU. I mean that the Zambezi will be the last AMD desktop CPU.

[JF-AMD]

...or the Terramar will have six-channel IMC. Anyway I can imagine that the 2012's 8-10 cores BD will have tri-channel IMC. I think that "Komodo" will need tri-channel for the 8 nextgen BD cores + GPU (which GPU probably will be stronger than which is in the Llano).


“Sepang”
Market: Server
What is it: Server CPU with up to 10 next-generation “Bulldozer” CPU cores
targeting 2-way highly energy efficient and cost optimized Socket C2012 platforms. Complete with three-channel DDR3 memory and integrated PCIe Gen3 I/O. Planned for introduction: 2012

“Terramar”
Market: Server
What is it? Server CPU with up to 20 next-generation “Bulldozer” CPU cores
targeting the 2- and 4-way performance-per-watt and expandable Socket G2012 platforms. Complete with quad-channel DDR3 memory and integrated PCIe Gen3 I/O. Planned for introduction: 2012


Looks like that the MCM and non-MCM next-generation “Bulldozer” will use the same socket.

Funny you actually bolded the sockets, which are different.

[Mechanical Man]

...

Looks like that Zambezi will be the last dekstop AMD CPU without a GPU. I mean that the Zambezi will be the last AMD desktop CPU.

”Komodo”

Market: Server and Performance Desktops
What is it? ”Komodo” is AMD’s next generation CPU and is primarily intended for servers and high-performance desktops. ”Komodo” will feature next-generation ”Bulldozer” CPU cores and, in desktop PC platforms, is designed to couple with DirectX® 11 GPUs to provide enthusiast-level system performance.
Planned for introduction: 2012
”Trinity”

Market: Notebooks and Desktops
What is it? ”Trinity” is AMD’s next generation APU and is primarily intended for mainstream and high-performance desktops and notebooks. ”Trinity” will feature next-generation ”Bulldozer” CPU cores and a DirectX® 11-capable GPU.
Planned for introduction: 2012

I disagree with you, see the difference. ""Trinity" will feature" and ""Komodo" is designed to couple with".

[Oliverda]

Funny you actually bolded the sockets, which are different.

Ufff...it's too late.... C2012... G2012... look almost identical for me now.

I disagree with you, see the difference. ""Trinity" will feature" and ""Komodo" is designed to couple with".

You're right but if you take a look at the above roadmap then you can't see this difference between "Komodo" and "Trinity".

[informal]

@Oliverda

There is no mention of anything APU or Fusion related in Komodo definition . Also note : "is designed to couple with DirectX® 11 GPUs to provide enthusiast-level system performance.".
Another nail in the APU coffin of Komodo () is the fact it will have to slide in AM3+ and this rules out the GPU or any other integration(PCIex ,like in Llano).I say it has to go into AM3+ since AMD probably won't launch a whole new socket a year from AM3+.

[Mechanical Man]

Ufff...it's too late.... C2012... G2012... look almost identical for me now.



You're right but if you take a look at the above roadmap then you can't see this difference between "Komodo" and "Trinity".

But the roadmap really does not say in direction or other. You can assume based on it. But the codename description says it straight. Maybe JF could get hold on someone who would clear it up, if that is applicable.

[generics_user]

Ufff...it's too late.... C2012... G2012... look almost identical for me now

think of the introduction year and the socket names (both 2012)

socket C32 is non mcm and G34 is mcm, no big difference too

i believe that C socket will be smaller than G socket despite being called 2012

[informal]

I've just caught this small nugget at the official press release,regarding Komodo(not in the slides!):

“Komodo”: a 32nm CPU featuring up to 10 AMD “Bulldozer” CPU cores designed for high-performance and enthusiast desktops;

Link

So in AM3+ socket,we will get up to 10 improved Bulldozer cores just a year from original Bulldozer launch .It can't get better than that.
Mind you the slides said 4-8 Next-Gen BD cores for Komodo . Press release let us know it is actually a Sepang derivative,so up to 10 cores in client space for us freaks

[blindbox]

I believe bulldozer is ahead of schedule isn't it? Last I heard it was H2. Now it's H1 or to be more accurate, Q2 .

Interesting stuff next year. Massive amount of cache there btw.

that part sounds like you might aswell just launch them with a 500mhz boost, and just add in a heat based throttling for when that one special thing is pulling in too much power that we would not often see

i also assume this is all about the server segment and its not directly related to client side

It's marketing my friend. Intel is doing it, and it works. it's so that you can put more features.

Anyway, so Turbo CORE would be enabled when you're doing prime95 and won't enable when you're doing Linpack. Hmmm I'm kind of wishing of a 1 Ghz boost for single or two-threaded programs.

[JF-AMD]

Unless you live in a world where, when your 2.5GHz processor can't reach 2.5GHz because of the workload, you open yourself up to customer issues.

YOU might understand the reason, but will the average person say "I paid for a 2.5 but it only gets to 2.3, I guess that is OK."

[blindbox]

You're right on that. I was just about to quote you myself.

This won't happen. You have to build your processors to clock to the worst case scenario and still stay under TDP.

When you buy a car you pay for brakes that can stop the car at 120MPH, even though you rarely drive over 60. You could probably cut down a lot of cost on the car if you only had to design to what people actually drive. But as long as the car can do 120MPH, you have to build brakes that will stop it. And those cost more.

If we did what you were asking for, we could build, for instance, a 4GHz processor that only goes up to 3.5GHz in some workloads. Worst of all, you might not know until you actually run your workload on it. People want absolutes and the only way to deliver that is by having a high characterization. Turbo CORE lets you unlock the rest of the potential.

EDIT: We need a thread merge.