Thursday, January 28th 2010
Phenom II X6 Series Details Surface, Slated for May 2010
AMD's upcoming six-core desktop processor, codenamed "Thuban" is on course for a May 2010, suggests a report. The series is likely to receive the brand name Phenom II X6. There are four models planned for release within Q2, 2010. The Thuban core is AMD's desktop implementation of the Istanbul core, in the socket AM3 package, supporting dual-channel DDR3 memory. It is a monolithic multi-core design with six x86-64 cores, each with 128 KB of L1, 512 KB of L2 cache, and a 6 MB L3 cache shared between the six cores. Just as with K10 dual, triple, and quad core processors where AMD used a HyperTransport interface clock speed of 1800 MHz (3600 MT/s), or 2000 MHz (4000 MT/s), the new processor will take advantage of HyperTransport 3.x interface, with a HT speed of 2400 MHz (4800 MT/s). Thuban will be built on GlobalFoundaries' 45 nm node.
The table below lists out details of the four planned models. The model number of the top part isn't known. Most likely it is a Black Edition part, which comes with an unlocked BClk multiplier. It operates at 2.80 GHz, with a TDP of 140W. A step below is the Phenom II X6 1075T, which has an expected TDP of 125W, the 1055T is a notch below, and 1035T being the cheapest part. The exact clock speeds of the latter three models isn't known as yet. A month ahead of releasing these chips, AMD will announce the AMD 8-series chipset platform, led by 890FX (high-end, best for CrossFireX), 890GX (performance integrated graphics with CrossFire support). The AMD SB800 series southbridge chips will feature native support for SATA 6 Gb/s. Its on-die SATA controller gives out six SATA ports complete with RAID support. Some existing AM3 motherboards based on 7-series chipsets may also support Phenom II X6 with a BIOS update.
Source:
OCWorkbench
The table below lists out details of the four planned models. The model number of the top part isn't known. Most likely it is a Black Edition part, which comes with an unlocked BClk multiplier. It operates at 2.80 GHz, with a TDP of 140W. A step below is the Phenom II X6 1075T, which has an expected TDP of 125W, the 1055T is a notch below, and 1035T being the cheapest part. The exact clock speeds of the latter three models isn't known as yet. A month ahead of releasing these chips, AMD will announce the AMD 8-series chipset platform, led by 890FX (high-end, best for CrossFireX), 890GX (performance integrated graphics with CrossFire support). The AMD SB800 series southbridge chips will feature native support for SATA 6 Gb/s. Its on-die SATA controller gives out six SATA ports complete with RAID support. Some existing AM3 motherboards based on 7-series chipsets may also support Phenom II X6 with a BIOS update.
277 Comments on Phenom II X6 Series Details Surface, Slated for May 2010
power/performance than power/watt hmmm.
why cant they give 3.2 Ghz//4ch DDR3 1800//14MB L3 cache x8 core system instead. :)
it's also in amd's dual core optimizer.
I definately am going to buy one!
I'm very curious to see the clock speeds for the other models, and more importantly than anything to me...how well with these undervolt! The mad scientist in me is hungry again, I'm curious as to how well you could run a game or heavy program with these underclocked since there are 6 to use now. With that many cores you're bound to have plenty of free cpu to use which in turn would allow you to use lower clock speeds to accomplish the same task...which in turn would allow you to use less voltage...which in turns means less heat.....which means yea you get my point. :)
Depending on the pricing (more like timing) I just might do something crazy and pick one of these up.
Another thing that we can imply from the information that we're given already is that the Northbridge/memory controller will have to be default at 2400Mhz! :rockout: With the current architecture of the Phenom you cannot have the HT Link set to higher than the Northbridge, and I assume without any doubts that it will be the same for these. Now I'm wondering whether or not the voltage requirements will be larger for the memory controller or be just like the pattern we have now.
Previous Phenom models needed more voltage to achieve the same Northbridge speeds than their later counterparts, which hasn't changed patterns since the introduction of the Phenom. If things stay that way we could very likely see some TREMENDOUS flexiblity with the Northbridge on these processors. Board dependant on each Phenom II I've owned/tested I can set 2400Mhz NB @ 1.10v-1.15v (for lower specced chipsets). That is totally unheard of for previous model Phenoms to have the voltage set that low achieving that kinda speed. If the voltage is indeed lowered (1.10v is current default) slightly that could be truly exciting. It may also push us closer/above the 3000Mhz NB mark without needed larger amounts (1.3-1.45v+) which may potentially help us enormously as well depending on system ram configurations.
Processor speed and voltage I imagine will also be roughly as flexible as we have now with the Phenom II series. Each generation/revision has given us the ablity to run higher clocks with less voltage, or more importantly to me the stock clocks with FAR FAR FAR lower voltage. Each Phenom I've tested since the very first models has been able to dramatically lower the voltage needed to run the stock speed, even the latest Phenom II 955 C2 stepping in my case is able to run it's default 3.2Ghz @ 1.168v which is simply staggering dropping from 1.35v. These X6's of course will have their own requirements, but if we are able to run them at default speeds (or better) while dropping the voltage roughly 10-18% like that would be truly insane! That's the range I've been able to drop all previous Phenom processors from their default voltage at stock speeds (13-18% actually), which is pretty fantastic I'd say. It helps an enormous amount with keeping the processors cool (which already isn't a problem), and allowing you to run even a stock cooler on low fan settings without any worries whatsoever. Depending on the cooler you can choose to not run the fan at all honestly, my V8 if I set fan control to enabled on the board doesn't even run the fan until it hits a certain temp (~25C) and the speed never needs to run more than ~400 - 500 rpm.
I totally should've never posted this....now I'm getting even more excited just with the possiblities! :o
Kei
As for hex-core CPUs... meh, there are still precious few apps that can even take advantage of more than 2 cores, so adding another 2 into the mix isn't going to help things for the most part. That's why AMD have had these processors in servers for ages now and are only now bringing them to the desktop - servers can actually make good use of 6 cores, desktops, not so much.
Also, I just have to say... considering how long AMD has been harping on about Fusion, it's somewhat ironic that Intel is first to market with a GPU integrated in the CPU.
nah i'll stick with AM2+ for like 4 years... cos i'm lame like that
And damn, I was under the impression that Bulldozer was coming out and not this PII X6 crap. It makes me wonder if I should even upgrade to 890FX.
i just play games :)