AMD Zambezi news, info, fans !

[tbone8ty]

So what do you think the bulldozer will be priced at?

$300?

[Manicdan]

x8 250-400
x6 150-300
x4 100-200

wide ranges because of wide clock speeds

[zalbard]

It isn't only about NDA's, since those get broken / leaked all the time.

Intel's NDA =/= AMD's NDA.

While it might be good for AMD, you can bet that Intel already has working samples and are going to do something when BD launches--if it is good.

You can already buy s2011 CPUs off Ebay!

So what do you think the bulldozer will be priced at?

$300?

Sounds too low if it's going to be competitive with s2011 offers.

[chew*]

It looks like they are only giving out info to people who they really trust to abide by the NDA.

This.

[Oliverda]

Intel's NDA =/= AMD's NDA.

You're definitely right.

[Mats]

Well I'm still surprised that we haven't seen anything by now, even though AMD of course uses NDA's.

[nex_73]

My guess at pricing:
FX-4110 aimed at i3 2120 @ 150$
FX-6110 aimed at i5 2500k @ 200$
FX-8110 aimed at i7 2600k @ 300$
FX-8130P 125W @ 400$

The first BDs is aimed at the intel s1155, the next gen BD aimed at s2011 will hopefully be out in Q1 2012

[FlanK3r]

Before Thuban launch we will seen not too nothing . maybe last 14 days before launch first leaked R10 and 3D06 results.

[Mats]

............the next gen BD aimed at s2011 will hopefully be out in Q1 2012

That soon? Well there's no reason to wait, but I doubt they're gonna do it that fast.

[Warwian]

That soon? Well there's no reason to wait, but I doubt they're gonna do it that fast.

Do you guys think they'll release a new platform for the second generation "enhanced" Bulldozers in 2012? Any chance for a chipset with PCI Express 3.0-support? I guess it's still a bit early to speculate but I have a feeling we'll see it fairly soon.

I'm personally having quite some trouble deciding wether to go full out this year with a 990FX and the 8 core Zambezi or if it's better to wait for the Komodo-bulldozers. I am not sure if I can afford two upgrades so close to each other. Any thoughts?

[tbone8ty]

I think you or I or anybody else will have a hardtime waiting that long especially if bulldozer is awesome. Get this platform and enjoy tweaking your system to the extreme!

[Warwian]

I think you or I or anybody else will have a hardtime waiting that long especially if bulldozer is awesome. Get this platform and enjoy tweaking your system to the extreme!

Yeah, I have a feeling it's going to end up that way. This platform is seriously begging for some tweaking; especially with the new IMC. Still need to figure out which DIMMs to go for though!

[crazydiamond]

ya im hoping hypers are able to max out c7/c8 with zambezi. i will try with my hypers first but probably upgrade to whatever plays nicest

[RussC]

So, were looking at middle May before any specs or benchies hit. Wow.

RussC

Before Thuban launch we will seen not too nothing . maybe last 14 days before launch first leaked R10 and 3D06 results.

[FlanK3r]

think, firts will be only some CPU-Z or so...But otherside-my 1090T Thuban has long life :-D (now 0.99 year )

[Mats]

Do you guys think they'll release a new platform for the second generation "enhanced" Bulldozers in 2012? Any chance for a chipset with PCI Express 3.0-support? I guess it's still a bit early to speculate but I have a feeling we'll see it fairly soon.

The roadmaps have shown that we'll see a new 32 nm desktop version next year, and that the server counterparts will have integrated PCIe and a new socket.

I think the desktop CPU's will get PCIe and a new socket as well, but some people here disagree. IMO, AMD have no reason to stay with AM3+.

[Warwian]

ya im hoping hypers are able to max out c7/c8 with zambezi. i will try with my hypers first but probably upgrade to whatever plays nicest

Are those Supertalent DIMMs Elpida Hypers? Which of the kits do you own? The WS220UX4G8? I'm looking for a decent 2x4gb kit myself; I'd love to see how close to 3000 MHz it's possible to get with a 1x4gb DIMM and the new IMC. I probably don't have the equipment to get anywhere near those frequencies but it would be nice to try!

The roadmaps have shown that we'll see a new 32 nm desktop version next year, and that the server counterparts will have integrated PCIe and a new socket.

I think the desktop CPU's will get PCIe and a new socket as well, but some people here disagree. IMO, AMD have no reason to stay with AM3+.

Yeah, I agree with you here. I can't see any reason for AMD to stay with AM3+ either. Especially if there are more goodies to come; something other than dual channel-support for example. I guess we'll have to wait and see!

[FlanK3r]

The roadmaps have shown that we'll see a new 32 nm desktop version next year, and that the server counterparts will have integrated PCIe and a new socket.

I think the desktop CPU's will get PCIe and a new socket as well, but some people here disagree. IMO, AMD have no reason to stay with AM3+.

AM3+ is new socket, official support from AMD side. So...I mean, refresh Zambezi to KOmodo will be still at AM3+. Maybe past Komodo see at new socket/lga.

[Mats]

AM3+ is new socket, official support from AMD side. So...I mean, refresh Zambezi to KOmodo will be still at AM3+. Maybe past Komodo see at new socket/lga.

AMD's server CPU's for next year will have PCIe, there's no reason why Komodo wouldn't have it.
Bobcat have it, Llano have it, the competition have had it for almost two years.

It's not a new socket, it's an old socket that has been updated. If it was a new socket it would have support for integrated PCIe.

[ReKcOlNu]

Can someone answer me this,..

If the 2nd gen BD coming in 2H 2012 will have GPU on die then wouldn't those chips require an updated version of the AM3+ boards (or possibly a new socket and or chipsets) to support them?

Would be nice to know what sort of life these AM3+ boards are going to have, future support or just a stop gap.

[Manicdan]

am3+ might support early am4 cpus, just like am2+ did (deneb and thuban both had ddr2 and ddr3 memory controllers)

i doubt we will see every single AMD chip being fusion based in the next generation. that would only work if they built some to have very small gpus and others with more mainstream parts

it could however work very well if they built it around perfect TDP sharing.
imagine a 150W TDP fusion socket:

APU A could be 50W cpu, 100W gpu (low core count, gamer quality gpu)
APU B could be 100W cpu, 50W gpu (medium core count, mainstream gpu)
APU C could be 140W cpu, 10w gpu (high core count, north bridge quality gpu)

then comes turbo and how it might factor in
APU A would have a cpu range of 20-80W and gpu 70-130W (real gpu power when you need it, decent quality cpu when you need it, designed for a budget gamer)
APU B cpu range of 50-130W and gpu range of 20-100W (cpu power nearly as good as the top client chips, and gpu power scalable to almost reach gamer quality, a very balanced chip)
APU C cpu and gpu range very limited. offers the best cpu perf/watt at the loss of any gpu power. designed for tasks that dont need a gpu to do anything special, or where dedicated graphics are guaranteed.

[Mats]

Can someone answer me this,..

If the 2nd gen BD coming in 2H 2012 will have GPU on die then wouldn't those chips require an updated version of the AM3+ boards (or possibly a new socket and or chipsets) to support them?

Would be nice to know what sort of life these AM3+ boards are going to have, future support or just a stop gap.

If AMD is going to integrate PCIe or graphics (don't say that loud, informal will shoot you down with "Bulldozer is not an APU") they need a new socket according to JF-AMD.
DDR4 isn't the big issue here, it's PCIe AFAIK.

Here's what someone from AMD France said:

- Why not have integrated of graphic controller in Zambezi whereas Komodo is equipped with it?

- Quite simply because Bulldozer is a new architecture. With all that comprises like risks. We thus integrate the innovations gradually. 2012 will thus have to be waited until to see an APU Bulldozer.

From here (translation).

AMD is conveniently avoiding the subject, but have shown in roadmaps that the server CPU's next year will have PCIe and new sockets.
Look for Sepang and Terramar: http://blogs.amd.com/work/fadcodenames/

[Hawkeye4077]

“Valencia”
Market: Server
What is it? Six- or eight-core 32nm processor for 1P and 2P markets, based on the new “Bulldozer” processor core. Will be branded as the AMD Opteron™ 4200 Series processor and will be supported by the AMD Opteron™ 4000 Series platform (“San Marino”) or the ultra low-power “Adelaide” platform for socket C32.
Planned for introduction: 2H 2011

My fav part of that website

[Tenkura]

BD ES sample? http://pic2.178.com/64/641528/month_...1a9dc57455.jpg

[flexcore]

@ Manicdan, I think that is AMD's ultimate goal with the APU. I don't they are going to include that strong of a GPU, but I think they are looking to have a versatile APU. That's what I get out of their new turbo core 'leaning' into TDP headroom. I hope they can quickly work with software developers to take advantage of the resources the APU will offer. That's going to make all the difference. The APU is no good if software isn't available to work with it.