AMD's dual core Opteron & Athlon 64 X2 Launch - Server/Desktop Performance Preview

[Omega65]

Anandtech (http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2397) reviews the new series of AMD Processors

From the beginning AMD has talked about how they were going to bring dual core to the K8 architecture. The on-die north bridge, a part of every Athlon 64 and Opteron CPU, was designed from the ground up to be able to support multiple cores. AMD had designed their first dual core K8 CPUs years ago, they were simply waiting for manufacturing processes to mature in order to actually make producing such a chip a feasible endeavor.
...........
The introduction of the Athlon 64 X2 brand also comes with a few other tidbits of information:

1) The Athlon 64 4000+ was the last single core member of the Athlon 64 line.
2) The Athlon 64 FX will continue as a single core CPU line, with the FX-57 (2.8GHz) due out in June.
3) The Athlon 64 FX-55 and FX-57 will co-exist, with the FX-57 being introduced at around $900.
Source: Anandtech (http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2397)

[Justin]

:thumbsup:

[Thrax]

I'm sorry to see them cut the 64 line. I just hope they keep the 4000+ fresh with revisions, as I won't be buying an FX-##.

[lemonlime]

Hope we start to see some multithreading capable games soon.. A single core is plenty of processing power for my everyday use. I'd imagine some pretty large gains in games once we see software compatability

[Omega65]

Check out Anandtech's Multitasking Benchmarks starting here (http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2397&p=21). IMO outside of Single threaded app/games - Athlon x2 benchmarks are compelling. You could also consider these cheap Duallies that will in most cases outperform a equivalent Single core Dual Opteron setup.

x2-4200 (2.2ghz 512K Dual Core (Dual 3500+)) ~$537
x2-4400 (2.2ghz 1024K Dual Core (Dual 3700+)) ~$581
x2-4600 (2.4ghz 512K Dual Core (Dual 3800+)) ~$803
x2-4800 (2.4ghz 1024K Dual Core (Dual 4000+)) ~$1001

Opteron 248 (2.2ghz 1024K) $450 x 2 = $900
Opteron 250 (2.4ghz 1024K) $670 x 2 = $1340

[MediaMan]

Interesting.

You have to read it at least 3 times to get the full scope.

[Omega65]

Interesting.

You have to read it at least 3 times to get the full scope.
Truth!