AMD has confirmed that the company will soon launch six-core 45nm consumer level processors.
IDF kicks off today and while Intel is was busy getting ready for the party, AMD has stepped in and snatched just a smidgen of the limelight by announcing that it is readying a hexa-core processor aimed at consumer desktops.
The chip, codenamed Thubon, is set for release sometime next year and according to Maximum PC, it will be backwards compatible with existing AM3 and AM2+ motherboards. Maximum PC cites AMD officials who Monday said that the heavily rumored Thurbon was "a done deal."
Thurbon will feature all six cores on a single 45nm die, feature an integrated DDR3 controller and is expected to have 3MB of L2 and 6MB of L3 cache. No word on branding or clock speeds as of yet but MPC reports the Phenom II X6 as a possible label.
All together now, ooooh!
I hate to compare them, because when it comes down to it, majority of the buyers pick AMD for cost and/or brand loyalty.
24 cores, 16GB DDR3 ram, and two 5870x2 in crossfire - drool!!!
But, I will gladly take a 3.0+ GHz six-core AMD Processor for $245. Maybe by Q2 2010, the prices for 4GB modules of DDR3 memory will have dropped significantly.
I hate to compare them, because when it comes down to it, majority of the buyers pick AMD for cost and/or brand loyalty.
You can't have dual AM3 socket motherboard. AM3 socket is not built for multi-CPU. AM3 has no provision for CPU-to-CPU communication like Socket F has.
I am not sure about how to use six cores. Maybe as X Window server for general home computing?
god knows. there are barely any apps out now that even take advantage of quad cores
Price is huge i understand but, typically for enthusiasts we are more converned with
Writing multithreaded apps is not a walk in the park, but even if you run only single threaded apps you can take advantage of multiple core system. Just look your toolbar. How many apps are running at all time. In addition if you using browser like Chrome that creates separate process for each tab you going to feel the benefits of extra 2 cores. Price you pay is the power and heat.
I've been running an Athlon 64 X2 4200+ for waaay too long now.
Hell I'd be happy with a Phenom II X4 945.
Core i7 is waaay to expensive for the CPU and motherboard.
You guys forget that, *WE* will take advantage of this because WE are the sorts of people who are typically running half a dozen (or more) different apps at the same time. Even if few apps take advantage of multi-cores, the OS takes advantage of multi-cores, and that's really what matters. Besides, the next generation of games will likely be written to take advantage of 4+ cores. The gaming industry is always writing games for tomorrow's technology.
Far Cry 3 perhaps...
the amd 12 core cpu will be 2 new gen 6 core chips glued together on a g34 socket, it wont be backward compatible, but it will be good to see a 12 core cpu for desktop environment.
and dont get ur clock hopes too high for thuban, amd has already said that the clocks wont be as high as current gen phenom ii x4
That would be utterly cool, but AMD wont do this again. They tried with Quad FX, but they failed miserably. Dual socket system cost too much to make for the gain you get in gaming and professionals have no need for a game oriented system. They already use dual socket F+ motherboard with opterons and they can run multiple card for rendering in their system without the need for a SLI or Crossfire sticker on it.
BTW nothing is stopping you to buy a Tyan board with dual socket (like http://www.tyan.com/product_SKU_spec.aspx?ProductType=MB&pid=651&SKU=600000130) equip it with two 4890 graphic card and pwn n00bs using your uber costy rig that work the same a i7 would have done for the same price
Anyway, i won't replace my 955 BE for this one.