AMD Quad-core Opteron Models Unveiled
Quad-core clock speeds and model names unveiled in AMD's latest Opteron road map
AMD’s latest Opteron product roadmap unveils details on the upcoming quad-core Opteron products. Upcoming quad-core AMD Opteron processors will be available in the Opteron 8000-series, 2000-series and 1000-series.
Quad-core AMD Opteron 8000-series and 2000-series will initially use the Barcelona core. AMD will ship quad-core Opteron processors in SE, vanilla and HE models.
All Opteron 8000 and 2000-series processors include SE, vanilla and HE models share similar attributes. Each processor core will have access to its own 512KB of L2 cache for a combined total of 2MB. L3 cache is new to the Barcelona-core Opteron models -- a shared pool of 2MB of L3 cache is available to all four cores.
Barcelona-based Opteron 8000 and 2000-series Socket 1207 processors will have three HyperTransport links, though at launch the processor will only support HyperTransport 1.0 instead of the faster HyperTransport 3.0 bus. Other notable features of Barcelona quad-core processors include support for registered DDR2-667 and AMD-V technology. Quad-core Opteron 8000 and 2000-series processors will use the same socket F as its dual-core counterparts.
At the top of the quad-core Opteron chain are six Opteron SE processors – three Opteron 8000 and three Opteron 2000-series. The AMD Opteron 8272 SE and 2272 SE are clocked at 2.6 GHz while the middle-of-the-line Opteron 8270 SE and 2270 SE are clocked at 2.5 GHz. There is also a lower speed Opteron 8268 SE and 2268 SE clocked at 2.4 GHz.
The Opteron SE models will have the highest thermal data power ratings in AMD’s quad-core lineup. AMD currently rates the Opteron SE models with 120W TDPs. It is unknown when AMD will launch its Opteron SE processor lineup, however, production is expected to begin in Q3’2007 for the Opteron 8270 SE, 8268 SE, 2270 SE and 2268 SE. The Opteron 8272 SE and 2272 SE will enter production later in Q2’2008.
Moving into the middle of the AMD Opteron line-up are eight vanilla Opteron 8000 and 2000-series processors. AMD Opteron 8266 and 2266, 8264 and 2264, and 8262 and 2262 are clocked at 2.3 GHz, 2.2 GHz and 2.1 GHz respectively. These models will enter production in June 2007 with a mid-2007 launch date.
AMD expects to launch vanilla Opteron 8268 and 2268 models clocked at 2.4 GHz like to the Opteron 8268 SE and 2268 SE models too, though the vanilla Opteron 8268 and 2268 will enter production 3-quarters later than the SE models. Vanilla AMD Opteron models will have slightly lower TDP ratings at 95W instead of the 120W of Opteron SE models.
Four Opteron HE models will be available for the low power inclined. The Opteron 8260 HE, 2260 HE, 8258 HE and 2258 HE have 2.0 GHz and 1.9 GHz respective clocks. These low power Opteron HE models have 68W TDPs. Expect the Opteron HE models to enter production in Q3’07.
AMD’s Budapest core is behind the Opteron 1000-series processors. Budapest will drop into AMD’s single processor socket AM2 platform and be compatible with current HyperTransport 1.0 motherboards and upcoming HyperTransport 3.0 compatible motherboards (socket AM2+). HyperTransport 3.0 support aside, the Budapest-based Opteron 1000-series have 4x512KB of L2 cache, 2MB of L3 and support for AMD-V technology like the Opteron 8000 and 2000-series. Unlike the multi-processor capable offerings, Opteron 1000-series processors support unregistered DDR2-800 memory.
There will not be as many quad-core Opteron 1000-series models this time around, unlike the Opteron 8000 and 2000-series line-ups. Two SE and three vanilla Opteron 1000-series models complete AMD’s quad-core Opteron lineup. The Opteron 1270 SE and 1268 SE have 2.5 GHz and 2.4 GHz respective clocks. AMD does not have a 2.6 GHz Opteron 1000-series model planned now. Nevertheless, the Opteron 1000-series SE models have 120W TDP ratings.
The three vanilla Opteron 1000-series models include the Opteron 1266, 1264 and 1262 clocked at 2.3 GHz, 2.2 GHz and 2.1 GHz respectively. These models have a lower 95W TDP rating.
Expect AMD Opteron 1000-series models to enter production in Q4’07 with an undetermined launch date.
http://www.dailytech.com/AMD+Quadcore+Opteron+Models+Unveiled/article5992.htm
