AMD Quad FX debuts in Japanese four-GPU PC

[Osiris]

AMD will today announce its Quad FX platform, formerly codenamed '4x4', it has been claimed. The technology is built out of Nvidia's nForce 680a SLI chipset and AMD's new Athlon 64 FX-70 series of dual-core processors.

According to a report on Japanese-language site PCWatch, there are the FX-70s: the FX-70, FX-72 and FX-74, clocked at 2.6GHz, 2.8GHz and 3.0GHz, respectively. All three are fabbed at 90nm and contain 2MB of L2 cache. Their on-board memory controllers support up to 800MHz DDR 2 unbuffered SDRAM, AMD presentation slides reveal.


As expected, they use AMD's workstation- and server-oriented 1,207-pin Socket F infrastructure. They are each rated to consume no more than 125W of power. AMD will brand the two-socket systems as Dual Socket Direct Connect (DSDC) technology.

The report, which appears to have been based on a demo of Quad FX in Japan this morning, claims the three new Quad FX CPUs will be priced at $599, $799 and $999, respectively.

Adding weight to the claims, Japanese PC maker Faith today unveiled a PC it described as a Quad FX-ready system. The Inspire X FX744X4N/DVR Premium is based on the nForce 680i chipset, a pair of Athlon 64 FX-74s, Corsair heatsink-fitted memory modules and four Nvidia GeForce 7950GT graphics cards in Quad SLI mode

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/29/amd_launches_quad_fx/

 

[fzk]

wait.. its gonna be on an nvidia chipset, when they bought ati?

 

[Disillusion]

When is AMD going to switch to 65nm process?

Nevertheless, very interesting information that I'm looking forward to.

 

[Osiris]

Intel is on 45nm now

 

[The General]

I heard the AMD Quad FX system isn't even really quad-core, it's just two dual-cores on one motherboard.

This is less impressive than Kentsfield.

Intel is on 45nm now

Yep, Intel is way ahead of AMD in more than just speed.

 

[Osiris]

It's now out yet but will be in 07

Intel First to Demonstrate Working 45nm Chips
Intel has produced what are believed to be the industry's first fully functional static random access memory (SRAM) chips using 45-nanometer (nm) process technology, our next-generation, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing process.


Intel® 300mm wafer with 45nm shuttle test chips.
This important milestone demonstrates that we are on track for 2007 to manufacture chips on 300mm wafers using the new 45nm (P1266) process, in accordance with Moore's Law. This accomplishment is one of the critical milestones for Intel in achieving continual improvement in performance and performance-per-watt in our platforms through advancements in our process technology.

"Being first to high-volume with 65nm process technology and the first with a working 45nm chip highlights Intel's leadership position in chip technology and manufacturing," says Bill Holt, vice president, general manager, Intel Technology and Manufacturing Group. "Intel has a long history of translating technology leaps into tangible benefits that people appreciate. Our 45nm technology will provide the foundation for delivering PCs with improved performance-per-watt that will enhance the user experience."

As of early 2006, Intel is the only company in high-volume production of semiconductors on 65nm technology, the industry's most advanced process. We have two manufacturing facilities making 65nm chips in Arizona and Oregon, and two more coming online in 2006 in Ireland and Oregon.


Increasing Transistor Density and Battery Power


Die photo of an Intel® 45nm shuttle test chip including 153 Mbit SRAM and logic test circuits.

The 45nm process enables chip circuitry with higher performance-per-watt than the most advanced processes in production today. In the future, using the 45nm process will allow us to make chips with twice as many transistors in a given area.

Intel's 45nm process technology will allow more energy efficient chips for mobile devices and increased opportunities for building smaller, more-powerful platforms. Part of the reason for this is, in comparison to the 65nm process, the new technology will provide:

About a two-fold improvement in transistor density, for either smaller chip size or increased transistor count.

More than 20 percent improvement in transistor switching speed or more than a five-fold reduction in transistor current leakage. This will benefit battery life for mobile devices, making it possible to build smaller chips, and therefore smaller, more-powerful products.




One Billion Transistors on Every SRAM Chip

Each individual 153-Mbit SRAM chip contains more than 1 billion transistors. That's 200 times the number of transistors on the Intel® Pentium® processor with MMX™ technology, which was launched about 10 years ago on Intel's 350nm process technology. And, the memory cell size of the new SRAM chips (0.346 square microns) is almost half the size of a 65nm cell.

Development of the fully functional 45nm SRAM is a major milestone toward bringing this process technology into volume production. Though not intended as an Intel product, the 45nm SRAM test vehicle (chip) includes all transistor and interconnect features to be used on 45nm microprocessors.


Intel® 45nm, six transistor SRAM cell.
The test vehicles are used to demonstrate technology performance, yield, and reliability prior to microprocessor product ramp. Intel's development of the SRAM chips is a key first step in the industry's march toward high-volume manufacturing of the world's most complex devices.

Intel's initial 45nm development efforts are under way at the D1D facility in Oregon. In the future, we also plan to manufacture 45nm products at Fab 32 in Arizona and Fab 28 in Israel, two high-volume fabs currently under construction.

http://www.intel.com/technology/silicon/new_45nm_silicon.htm

 

[b1gapl]

wow 1 billion transistors...that's insane. Next up...32nm. They're probably working on that now also, right?

 

[Lord AnthraX]

are then 45 nano meter cores going to be on LGA 775?

Please say yes.

 

[The General]

are then 45 nano meter cores going to be on LGA 775?

Please say yes.

Yes.

I really have no idea, but I said yes because you told me to.

 

[Ridlyn]

are then 45 nano meter cores going to be on LGA 775?

Please say yes.

Nope there going back to 478, because they want to give amd a chance.