cpuchipsets
Intel quietly announced the Core i5 and i3 branding for future Nehalem CPUs. I hope to add some additional light to the announcement.
cpuchipsets
The world's fastest processor gets faster. The new Core i7-975 runs at 3.33GHz but will hit 3.60GHz when only one core is active. The end result is the fastest CPU regardless of how many threads you're running.
cpuchipsets
After months of begging, we finally have 45nm dual-core from AMD. And these new parts perform. Competition is alive and well in the lower price points.
cpuchipsets
If executed properly, Lynnfield may be *the* chip to get in 2009. We've got the benchmarks and data to answer why.
cpuchipsets
The next netbook/nettop Atom platform is closer than you think. It's called Pine Trail and it brings both the memory controller and graphics core on-die. Expect lower power, longer battery life and better performance in Q4 2009 from netbooks.
cpuchipsets
AMD and Intel have quietly been fighting a quad-core price war. AMD started by introducing a very competitive Phenom II X4 940 priced similarly to Intel's Core 2 Quad Q9400. A couple of price cuts later and Intel is trying a new strategy. The Q8400 is Intel's highest clocked quad-core CPU with only 4MB of L2 cache. Is that enough to compete with the Phenom II 940? And does AMD have much bigger things to worry about than whether or not it can outperform Intel at $183?
cpuchipsets
Here's a price point we don't usually talk about: $70. And here's another interesting fact. At $70 you can buy a CPU faster than a 3.73GHz dual-core Pentium 4 and an Athlon 64 FX-62.
cpuchipsets
AMD continues to build its competitiveness with an even faster Phenom II. The 955 is AMD's answer to Intel's Core 2 Quad Q9550.
cpuchipsets
What could have been a universe imploding sort of announcement amounted to something that just made sense: Intel will be making Atom SoCs at TSMC in addition to at its own fabs. I'll take you though why.
cpuchipsets
And you thought Core i7 was fast, how about a 6-core, 32nm version due out early next year? It's not all high performance though, Intel will be delivering its first 32nm Westmere CPUs for desktops and notebooks this year. If you're planning out your computer purchases for the next 12 - 18 months, help is on the way. Here's a hint: the notebook you want will be out by Q1 2010. You just have to make do until then.
cpuchipsets
The first Socket-AM3 Phenom II parts are now here with full DDR2 and DDR3 support. It turns out that DDR3 isn't really necessary today, but with five new Phenom II CPUs AMD is now much more competitive at all price points. Intel still has the lead but AMD is finally able to apply pressure after a 2 year hiatus.
cpuchipsets
Intel joins the 65W quad-core bandwagon with its new S-series of chips. Now officially the most expensive Penryn based LGA-775 CPU you can buy we run the Q9550S through a series of performance, power and efficiency tests to figure out if it's worth it. It turns out that despite the 65W TDP, the Q9550S is best saved for OEMs while Intel offers enthusiasts a much more power efficient CPU for those who care: Nehalem.
cpuchipsets
We provide some insight into our i7 overclocking experiences and realize a good IMC is your best friend.
cpuchipsets
Have you been waiting for AMD's return to competition? The Phenom II does just that. It's still not the Return of the Jedi, but on its third try AMD got it right. Phenom II is the first competitive quad-core CPU AMD has ever made.
cpuchipsets
Want to understand why Intel went with such a small L2 cache on Nehalem? We sat down with Nehalem's chief architect and got a much better understanding of the world's fastest microprocessor. We also uncover the on-chip PCIe controller in the mainstream Nehalem derivatives due out in 2009 and talk about its 32nm successors in 2009/2010.
cpuchipsets
The 45nm Phenom is called the Phenom II, 8 and 12-core server parts are coming in 2011 and the first CPU/GPU fusion parts will also appear around then - all at 32nm. AMD opened up a bit and shared some details today at its Financial Analyst Day alongside its Shanghai launch.