Intel will release its first desktop dual-core Celeron series, E1000, on January 20, according to sources at motherboard makers.
The first dual-core Celeron processor, the E1200, will have core frequency of 1.6GHz, 800MHz FSB and 512KB L2 cache with a price of US$53 in thousand-unit quantities.
Cheaper than the X48, but still offering a 1,600MHz front side bus
P45 might be a redundant name to anyone in the UK, but that hasn’t stopped Intel from apparently using the name for its next mainstream motherboard chipset. According to a motherboard manufacturer that we’ve spoken to, Intel is planning to introduce the new chipset in 2008, possibly as early as January, and the rumor is that it will basically be the same as the P35, but with a 1,600MHz front side bus.
The timing of the launch sounds about right to us, as Intel is also planning to launch its first CPU with a 1,600MHz front side bus, the Core 2 Extreme QX9770, in January 2008. Intel also plans to announce its X48 chip for enthusiasts at this time, which supports the 1,600MHz front side bus as well.
Much of AMD’s bad luck over the last three months revolves around a nasty bug it just can’t shake
Erratum, to those in the hardware or software industry, is a nice way of saying “we missed a test case” during development and design.
Yesterday, The Tech Report confirmed AMD’s iteration of Intel’s F00F bug. The bug, which has been documented since at least early November, can cause a deadlock during recursive or nested cache writes.
How does the TLB erratum occur? All AMD quad-core processors utilize a shared L3 cache. In instances where the software uses nested memory pages, this processor will experience a race condition.
Will be 9 chips in total
Intel began its 45nm offensive last month, but its first 45nm processors are largely out of reach for most users: the only desktop chip is the Core 2 Extreme QX9650, which is both prodigiously fast and prodigiously expensive, and the rest are Xeons aimed squarely at the server and workstation space.
We’re no strangers to rumors about more affordable 45nm Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors. Model names and clock speeds have long since leaked out, but rumor sites had yet to pin down a release date. The folks at Fudzilla have now filled that blank by naming January 20, 2008 as the expected day of Intel’s proper 45nm desktop assault.
According to Fudzilla, that date will see Intel roll out dual-core and quad-core 45nm processors with price tags starting as low as $169. Previous rumors tell us there will be nine chips in total: three quad-core models clocked at 2.5Ghz, 2.66GHz, and 2.83GHz; four dual-core models with clock speeds ranging from 2.66GHz to 3.16GHz; and a pair of wildcards—one quad-core chip and one dual-core one with unknown specifications.
However, good news inside
SADLY FOR AMD, the Phenom launch was dumbed down by a nasty bug that stopped AMD from launching a 2.4 GHz variant (9700).
At the same time, problems with the OS freezing were solved by a BIOS fix inside the motherboards that actually reduces performance between five to 10 per cent, since that BIOS update did nothing but ordered a processor to avoid that ill-fated corrupted cache data.
The problem with L3 cache caused performance reduction on all clock speeds and yes, Phenoms 2.2 and 2.3 GHz are affected as well, but it was really noticable at 2.4 GHz. BIOS run-around caused a 2.4 GHz part producing performance of 100-200 MHz slower parts. Of course, standard disclaimer in some rare-found, practically laboratory-only instances applies here.
Click for more on All Phenoms feature infamous L3 cache errata »
Starting from $239, works on old AM2 motherboards
Besides the recent launch of new Radeon GPUs, AMD is also preparing for a Monday launch of its new platform created around the new Phenom processors and the 700 series chipsets. While we are hearing nice things about the flagship 790FX chipset that will also be launched next week, the expectations are all about the processors, especially because it will give current AM2 socket motherboard owners the possibility of swapping and upgrading to the new generation of CPUs without having to change additional components.
According to sources close to AMD distribution channels we got word that volume pricing for these processors would look like this next Monday:
Phenom X4 9700 / 2400MHz / 4MB Cache / 2000MHz HT / 125W - $279
Phenom X4 9600 / 2300MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $269
Phenom X4 9500 / 2200MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $239
Still on barriers over 65nm conversion
Amid stiff barriers from 90nm and 65nm conversion, sources at Taiwan motherboard makers do not expect AMD to roll out the highest frequency 2.6GHz version of its new quad-core Phenom CPU family before 2008.
The sources noted that AMD will only introduce two Phenom CPU at the November 19 launch, the 2.2GHz 9500 and 2.3GHz 9600 models. A 2.4GHz 9700 model is expected to launch during December, but a 2.6GHz one will not be introduced until 2008, they noted.
What you may expect from Phenom x4 and Yorkfield
From the final result, Phenom only lose QX6850 about 5.5%. But the CPU Score is losing 9.11% . If the rival change to QX9650, the gap will even bigger. If we compare to other subitem, that dual core E6850 will boost Graphic system better than Phenom X4. Comparing to Phenom X4 and E6850, All the advantage score are coming from the CPU score. Phenom X4 does bad in HDR and SM subitem tests.
There’s absolutely no reason you should be waiting the three-plus minutes it takes your computer to boot up Windows
Phoenix says its new technology, HyperSpace, will offer mobile PC users the ability to instantly fire up their most used apps — things like e-mail, web browsers and various media players — without using Windows, simply by pressing the F4 button.
Intel’s X38 refresh appears on its latest roadmaps
Intel’s X48 chipset has been added to the company’s roadmap. The X48 is an updated version of Intel’s X38 chipset, which was released by Intel a little over two weeks ago.
The Intel X48 chipset features support for Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, and Core 2 Extreme processors. In addition, the chipset also supports Intel’s Wolfdale and Yorkfield processors, which are yet to be released.
