Tuesday, January 9th 2007

Intel Responds to AMD’s Quad FX

Jimmy 2004

Jan 9th, 2007 11:01 Discuss (59 Comments)

With AMD's Quad FX processors recently launched with the ability to run a pair of dual-core CPUs, Intel has unveiled its next step to strengthen its hold on the market. At CES 2007, the silicon giant announced a proof-of-concept PC designed to counter AMD's 4x4 systems, named the V8. The system contains a pair of quad-core processors running at 2.4GHz using a 1066MHz system bus - when paired with an NVIDIA 8800GTX it manages to score 6089 on the 3Dmark06 CPU benchmark. However, it isn't all good news for Intel fans. The V8 system requires FB-DIMMs and only works with a single GPU at present, whilst Quad FX systems can use standard unbuffered memory along with multiple GPUs. If Intel doesn't manage to solve the problem with multi GPU support soon this may give AMD time to release 8x8 systems, which wouldn't be part of Intel's plan.

Source: DailyTech

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59 Comments on Intel Responds to AMD’s Quad FX

#26

tkpenalty

lol? Quadfather was beaten up so badly... why does intel want to beat AMD up even more?

#27

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

Well there is always overhead when you add a second processor, as I have already said.

#28

ktr

Just wait for the ultrasparc T2...and use solaris ;)

#29

EviLZeD

just image running it on a multi threaded game ofcourse with a great graphics card ther shudnt be any strain at all

#30

Deleted member 3

tkpenaltylol? Quadfather was beaten up so badly... why does intel want to beat AMD up even more?

The AMD fanboys keep asking for it ;)

#31

EviLZeD

maybe intel wanna try ending amd really bad (but i highly doubt it would happen so easily) before amd can come out with somthing new

#32

PVTCaboose1337

Graphical Hacker

DanTheBanjomanThe AMD fanboys keep asking for it ;)

Intel is in trouble? No, they are ahead. WTF? This article is biased.

AMD fanboys are asking for it. THey tell all that you need to wait till k8l, cause it is 1337.

#33

DRDNA

wow just when i thought i knew what was going on:confused:

#34

Grings

this looks very similar to a xeon53 series set up, hopefully it was rushed to demo it, and they'll use normal memory when released (i think amd's original 4+4's used fbdimm, but release ones use normal memory)

#35

Jimmy 2004

PVTCaboose1337Intel is in trouble? No, they are ahead. WTF? This article is biased.

AMD fanboys are asking for it. THey tell all that you need to wait till k8l, cause it is 1337.

I agree with DRDNA and his :confused:

Did anyone say Intel was in trouble? Are you meaning the news article is biased?

#36

OneCool

Gringsthis looks very similar to a xeon53 series set up, hopefully it was rushed to demo it, and they'll use normal memory when released (i think amd's original 4+4's used fbdimm, but release ones use normal memory)

NO,AMD designed it to use desktop memory.Thats why it uses standard DDR2.

Where is AMD's "real" quad core?

WAITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#37

Grings

newtekie1Actually, that is exactly what AMD did. The first 4x4 proof of concept they showed was using Opteron processors, a workstation board, and ECC DDR memory. Of cource it evolved into something much more targetted at home use once it was released...

see

#38

Wile E

Power User

This is basically the same thing that's in a MacPro, albeit with quad cores instead of dual cores. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple offer a dual quad soon. Now if Intel would only make this a home platform with multi gfx and no damn FB-DIMMs.

#39

Deleted member 3

Wile EThis is basically the same thing that's in a MacPro, albeit with quad cores instead of dual cores. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple offer a dual quad soon. Now if Intel would only make this a home platform with multi gfx and no damn FB-DIMMs.

MacPro uses 2 Woodcrests. Quad core is already available, which is Clovertown. And yes, this is simply a Clovertown system. MacPro is just another i5000 platform, besides that it's completely unrelated. And as far as I know you can already put 2 Clovertowns in a MacPro anyway.

As for multi graphics, Dell has i5000 systems with 2 Quadros in SLI. So basically everything you just said already exists.

So why do you hate FB-DIMMs? Just curious.

#40

Wile E

Power User

DanTheBanjomanMacPro uses 2 Woodcrests. Quad core is already available, which is Clovertown. And yes, this is simply a Clovertown system. MacPro is just another i5000 platform, besides that it's completely unrelated. And as far as I know you can already put 2 Clovertowns in a MacPro anyway.

As for multi graphics, Dell has i5000 systems with 2 Quadros in SLI. So basically everything you just said already exists.

So why do you hate FB-DIMMs? Just curious.

I knew the quads are already available, just not in the MacPro (yet). It just seemed to me that this is basically the same configuration as a MacPro, but with the Quads instead. And, upon further inspection, it seems Apple offers multi gfx in the pro. I'm not entirely sure if it's an SLI setup, tho. It looks more like it's for multi monitor support, but I could be wrong.

And the only reason I don't like FB-DIMMs is the performance. I fully understand the benefits of them in a professional environment. I'm just a speed junkie. lol

#41

Deleted member 3

Wile EI knew the quads are already available, just not in the MacPro (yet). It just seemed to me that this is basically the same configuration as a MacPro, but with the Quads instead. And, upon further inspection, it seems Apple offers multi gfx in the pro. I'm not entirely sure if it's an SLI setup, tho. It looks more like it's for multi monitor support, but I could be wrong.

And the only reason I don't like FB-DIMMs is the performance. I fully understand the benefits of them in a professional environment. I'm just a speed junkie. lol

I don't know if Apple sells them with Clovertowns, however you can replace them yourself.

As for speed junkie, I think a memory starved dual Clovertown system still kicks some Conroe ass. Also, even though raw bandwidth is lower with FB-DIMMs for some reason this isn't really noticeable. With Woodcrests anyway.

#42

WarEagleAU

Bird of Prey

Im actually surprised that intel is trying to go toe to toe with AMD on this setup. While its an intriguing setup and all that, I wouldnt expect intel to try and go the same way with a similar 4x4 setup. However, it apparently shows great promise and AMD may be on to something...

#43

Deleted member 3

WarEagleAUIm actually surprised that intel is trying to go toe to toe with AMD on this setup. While its an intriguing setup and all that, I wouldnt expect intel to try and go the same way with a similar 4x4 setup. However, it apparently shows great promise and AMD may be on to something...

I'ts not exactly similar. While AMD put it's 4x4 on the market to counter Kentsfield and added quad SLI (hence 4x4) Intel doesn't go for quad graphics and simply tries to sell some extra Xeons :)

However if this means I could get 2 Clovertowns even cheaper I'd be very happy.

#44

Grings

while its basically xeon tech at the moment, if theyre going more mainstream with it well probably see dual graphics set ups turn up for it. Nvidia are bound to want a slice of the pie, not sure about the situation with ati's chipsets (they did still make the rd600 series) or even intel doing another crossfire capable mobo ala 975x

#45

Deleted member 3

Gringswhile its basically xeon tech at the moment, if theyre going more mainstream with it well probably see dual graphics set ups turn up for it. Nvidia are bound to want a slice of the pie, not sure about the situation with ati's chipsets (they did still make the rd600 series) or even intel doing another crossfire capable mobo ala 975x

SLI is already possible on 5000x, as I stated already Dell sells workstations with Quadros in SLI, this means there is no hardware reason that it doesn't work, it's simply NVidia being a slut with their drivers. Though if you give me a 7900gs I can try it for you on my board :)

#46

Wile E

Power User

DanTheBanjomanAs for speed junkie, I think a memory starved dual Clovertown system still kicks some Conroe ass. Also, even though raw bandwidth is lower with FB-DIMMs for some reason this isn't really noticeable. With Woodcrests anyway.

Oh, no doubt. But imagine a dual cloverton system running some DDR2-800, with a cas of 3. HOLY MOLY! You'd have to bolt it down so it didn't fly away. lol

#47

Deleted member 3

Currently Clovertowns get about 800MB/s per core, poor things. DDR2-800 wouldn't give it much more. 12,8GB/s max, so let's say 1GB/s per core. Still 25% more though. However if Clovertowns would work with, say i975 to get standard DDR2 support you will lose the DIBs, I have my doubts about the gains.

#48

Wile E

Power User

DanTheBanjomanCurrently Clovertowns get about 800MB/s per core, poor things. DDR2-800 wouldn't give it much more. 12,8GB/s max, so let's say 1GB/s per core. Still 25% more though. However if Clovertowns would work with, say i975 to get standard DDR2 support you will lose the DIBs, I have my doubts about the gains.

It was strictly a "what if" scenario, anyway. On about FB-DIMMs, how well do they overclock, if at all? I'd be happy just cranking them up a little.

#49

Deleted member 3

Wile EIt was strictly a "what if" scenario, anyway. On about FB-DIMMs, how well do they overclock, if at all? I'd be happy just cranking them up a little.

Unknown, there is a "wall" are about 390MHz FSB. However, it is suggested that this isn't a limit of the modules but rather of some latencies between the AMB and controller.
400MHz is mentioned in various datasheets, so I the modules could do more perhaps. Quite some cooling is needed though, the AMBs get hotter than the CPU ;)

Sooner or later someone will come with the next breakthrough on these issues, we shall see :)

#50

Wile E

Power User

DanTheBanjomanUnknown, there is a "wall" are about 390MHz FSB. However, it is suggested that this isn't a limit of the modules but rather of some latencies between the AMB and controller.
400MHz is mentioned in various datasheets, so I the modules could do more perhaps. Quite some cooling is needed though, the AMBs get hotter than the CPU ;)

Sooner or later someone will come with the next breakthrough on these issues, we shall see :)

Lets hope so. I'd take the small performance hit to get the benefits of FB-DIMM, if I could oc them.

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Intel Responds to AMD’s Quad FX

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