Monday, July 18, 2011

AMD FX-Series Zambezi Processors

The delay of Advanced Micro Devices' highly-anticipated FX-series microprocessors by almost three months has clearly impacted not only AMD's plans and roadmap, but also the specs of the code-named Zambezi central processing units (CPUs). Based on the latest unofficial information, AMD tailored specifications of the upcoming chips so to clearly outperform competing offerings.

A new list of AMD FX "Zambezi" specifications on a slide that looks similar to those from AMD roadmaps has been published by Donanim Haber web-site. Presumable specifications imply that AMD FX B2 stepping can indeed achieve higher clock-speeds than previously available B0 and B1 with 95W or 125W thermal design power. Among other things, AMD also tweaked the Turbo Core 2.0 technology and now the "boosters" can lift base frequency by either 200MHz, 600MHz or even 900MHz depending on the model.
Previously it was believed that AMD's Turbo Core 2.0 technology of Bulldozer chips can increase clock-speed by [up to] 500MHz [depending on the workload] for all eight, six or four cores and by [up to] 1000MHz when only half of the cores are used. If the new specifications are correct, them AMD decided to vary "boosted" frequency depending on the model.
Although the variable clock-speed boost clearly makes CPU binning process more complex, it allows AMD to offer better performance where it is needed most and maximize the yield rate for the lower-end parts.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.

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