By Antone Gonsalves, InformationWeek
July 1, 2008
AMD Debuts Three Quad-Core 'Phenom' Desktop Processors
The processors are billed as energy efficient and ideal for small and sleek PCs that can help cut down on energy consumption.
The X4 9950 Black Edition features what the company calls "clock multiplier control" technology that enables users to boost clock speeds.
https://pic.armedcats.net/p/pa/passoa/2008/07/02/Phenom_blackl.jpg
Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday introduced a trio of Phenom desktop quad-core processors, including a flagship model for gamers and PC enthusiasts.
The X4 9950 Black Edition features what the company calls "clock multiplier control" technology that enables users to boost clock speeds. The processor also comes with AMD OverDrive software, a Windows-based performance-tuning utility.
Along with the 9950 BE, AMD introduced the X4 9350e and 9150e, which consume a maximum of 65 watts each, according to the chipmaker. The processors are billed as energy efficient and "ideal for development of small and sleek form factors that can help cut down on energy consumption, take up little space, and operate with low noise."
The 9950 BE is aimed at enthusiasts and gamers building new systems or looking to upgrade their current AMD processors, such as the previous-generation X4 9850 BE. The 9950 BE runs a bit faster than the older chip at 2.6 GHz versus 2.5 GHz, and consumes a maximum of 140 watts of power. The price of the new chip is $235.
The 9350e and 9150e are designed for mainstream computer users who are also digital media enthusiasts looking for more power to drive editing tools and players for video and photos. The 9350e has a clock speed of 2.0 GHz and is priced at $195. The 9150e runs at 1.8 GHz and is priced at $175.
All of AMD's current chips are built with 65-nanometer transistors. Processors with 45-nanometer technology are expected this year. Starting late last year, Intel moved its product line to 45 nanometers, which means more transistors on a chip to deliver better power-to-performance ratios.
Nevertheless, resellers are reporting that servers with AMD's quad-core Opteron processors have been selling well, including high-end, four-socket servers.
On the desktop side, AMD in April made its debut in the corporate desktop market with seven processors that come with business-class support. The new products represented AMD's initial lineup in a market that had been left to Intel.