Phenom II X6 to Get C-State Performance Boost Feature

[btarunr]

AMD's upcoming six-core desktop processor, the Phenom II X6, will introduce a new feature to the Phenom II series, currently known as "C-state performance boost". The feature gives the processor control over individual cores' power states, and the ability to gate power down completely a core. The remaining active core(s), will then be overclocked beyond the normal clock speeds, so that low-power operation with reduced parallel computing load goes on with much lesser energy consumption.

Features such as C-state performance boost and 'power-gating' is relatively new for AMD processors. The two were originally expected to be introduced with AMD's 32 nm "Llano" Fusion APUs. AMD's Phenom II X6 is expected to be released in May 2010, its architecture is derived from the six-core "Istanbul" Opteron processors, albeit in the socket AM3 package that supports dual-channel DDR3 memory. There are as many as four models in the works for an initial release. Known details of these can be found here.



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[shagg]

Will it still fit in an AM2+ socket. Someone please say yes.

 

[newtekie1]

Turbo Mode for AMD, glad they could steal some more ideas from Intel...j/k

Will it still fit in an AM2+ socket. Someone please say yes.

So far, every article I've read says DDR3 only, so no AM2 support.

 

[xaira]

nope, only ddr3 support im afraid, ddr2, it was good while it lasted

 

[Cheeseball]

Turbo Mode for AMD, glad they could steal some more ideas from Intel...j/k

It's not really a Turbo Mode like Intel's, but more like you can actually disable/turn off cores to save power and/or overclock the remaining running cores.

Pardon me if Intel's i3/i5/i7 can do that too though, I haven't messed around with one yet.

 

[Flyordie]

Turbo Mode for AMD, glad they could steal some more ideas from Intel...j/k



So far, every article I've read says DDR3 only, so no AM2 support.

Then why does the BIOS on my board support the X6s?

Maybe you should read up more tekie and link your sources. No pun intended but in the same article as in the OP...

It is clear that the new AMD Phenom II X6 “Thuban” processors will be compatible with AM3 and AM2+ platforms, however, we do not know whether performance booster of the six-core chip will work on all of them.

 

[johnnyfiive]

I'm excited about this release from AMD, very excited!

 

[TVman]

Turbo Mode for AMD, glad they could steal some more ideas from Intel...j/k



So far, every article I've read says DDR3 only, so no AM2 support.

yes poor intel ,AMD stoles everything from them

 

[A Cheese Danish]

I'm excited about this release from AMD, very excited!

Same here mate! Thinking about building my new rig when these come out

 

[xrealm20]

I wonder when AMD will develop multiple thread per core execution -- Then they could have both turbo mode and hyperthreading

 

[assaulter_99]

Interesting. need benchies now

 

[newtekie1]

Then why does the BIOS on my board support the X6s?

Maybe you should read up more tekie and link your sources. No pun intended but in the same article as in the OP...

Yes, I've seen things like that on several sites, and yes I did read it in the Xbit article also, but most of those articles go back to a single vague quote from an AMD Rep talking about supporting older platforms being important to them. Then in the same breath the same Rep talks about DDR2 support being dropped from the server side, then lists all the features of these chips and makes no mention of DDR2 despite mentioning the integrated DDR3 memory controller. I would expect to see them say integrated DDR3/DDR2 memory controller, but instead they only say Integrated DDR3 memory controller...

All the hard details that we've seen say DDR3 only, which would make sense considering these chips are spawned from the DDR3 only Opterons.

I'm not one to believe in, or even hope for, support for new tech on older platforms until it is directly addressed, and that hasn't been the case here. When word direct from AMD comes that these will support DDR2 and hence AM2, then I'll believe it, but right now the only thing we've heard from AMD is DDR3.

I've also looked up your boards CPU support, maybe I've missed it, but I don't see the X6s anywhere...

 

[Imsochobo]

Yes, I've seen things like that on several sites, and yes I did read it in the Xbit article also, but most of those articles go back to a single vague quote from an AMD Rep talking about supporting older platforms being important to them. Then in the same breath the same Rep talks about DDR2 support being dropped from the server side, then lists all the features of these chips and makes no mention of DDR2 despite mentioning the integrated DDR3 memory controller. I would expect to see them say integrated DDR3/DDR2 memory controller, but instead they only say Integrated DDR3 memory controller...

All the hard details that we've seen say DDR3 only, which would make sense considering these chips are spawned from the DDR3 only Opterons.

I'm not one to believe in, or even hope for, support for new tech on older platforms until it is directly addressed, and that hasn't been the case here. When word direct from AMD comes that these will support DDR2 and hence AM2, then I'll believe it, but right now the only thing we've heard from AMD is DDR3.

I've also looked up your boards CPU support, maybe I've missed it, but I don't see the X6s anywhere...

I dont know more on this, only that there is no hard fact on the net.

Just rumours, We all know it supports DDR3, have had the istanbul hands on and the magny cours for benchmarks in the datacenter, and yes i can tell its awesome! (magny)

All that is certant is that bulldozer will not get DDR2, we just have to wait and see!

 

[Imsochobo]

Yes, I've seen things like that on several sites, and yes I did read it in the Xbit article also, but most of those articles go back to a single vague quote from an AMD Rep talking about supporting older platforms being important to them. Then in the same breath the same Rep talks about DDR2 support being dropped from the server side, then lists all the features of these chips and makes no mention of DDR2 despite mentioning the integrated DDR3 memory controller. I would expect to see them say integrated DDR3/DDR2 memory controller, but instead they only say Integrated DDR3 memory controller...

All the hard details that we've seen say DDR3 only, which would make sense considering these chips are spawned from the DDR3 only Opterons.

I'm not one to believe in, or even hope for, support for new tech on older platforms until it is directly addressed, and that hasn't been the case here. When word direct from AMD comes that these will support DDR2 and hence AM2, then I'll believe it, but right now the only thing we've heard from AMD is DDR3.

I've also looked up your boards CPU support, maybe I've missed it, but I don't see the X6s anywhere...

I dont know more on this, only that there is no hard fact on the net about DDR2 or not.

Just rumours, We all know it supports DDR3, have had the istanbul hands on and the magny cours for benchmarks in the datacenter, and yes i can tell its awesome! (magny)

All that is certant is that bulldozer will not get DDR2, we just have to wait and see!

Logically speaking, ddr2 users might not go for a 6 core, and from the AMD side, it does take up some space on the DIE, meaning cost.
Would not be suprised about it.

I wouldnt mind upgrading my quadcore to a 6 core in my lab so i get 12 cores with 16 gb of memory in the cluster.

 

[devguy]

I wonder when AMD will develop multiple thread per core execution -- Then they could have both turbo mode and hyperthreading

While I've heard rumors that Bulldozer will support execution of multiple threads on a single core, it is just that, a rumor. And if they do do that, it will be an approach much different than the one Intel took with what Intel calls HyperThreading (there are numerous multithreading approaches).

But, the official word is that there will be no multithreading. For now, AMDs motto remains:

"Real men have real cores."

 

[xrealm20]

While I've heard rumors that Bulldozer will support execution of multiple threads on a single core, it is just that, a rumor. And if they do do that, it will be an approach much different than the one Intel took with what Intel calls HyperThreading (there are numerous multithreading approaches).

But, the official word is that there will be no multithreading. For now, AMDs motto remains:

"Real men have real cores."

+1 Agreed - it's kinda like the saying for old muscle cars. "There's no replacement for displacement"

 

[El_Mayo]

"Real men have real cores."

so THAT'S what that means!
i always wondered when i saw it TheMailMan78's avatar

 

[newtekie1]

+1 Agreed - it's kinda like the saying for old muscle cars. "There's no replacement for displacement"

Yeah, except in the AMD case, the statement makes little to no sense because Intel had just as many real cores as they did, and Intels processor outperformed AMDs with Hyperthreading off...

It would be like someone with a 454 saying "There's no replacement for displacement" in reference to the guy with a supercharger on his motor, but the guy with a supercharger has a 502...

 

[EarlZ]

About time AMD will release something that can outperform a i920

 

[Wile E]

So now AMD has their own version of Turbo Boost? Can't complain, I suppose, as free performance is free performance. Still willing to bet that Gainstown is going to be significantly faster per clock tho.

While I've heard rumors that Bulldozer will support execution of multiple threads on a single core, it is just that, a rumor. And if they do do that, it will be an approach much different than the one Intel took with what Intel calls HyperThreading (there are numerous multithreading approaches).

But, the official word is that there will be no multithreading. For now, AMDs motto remains:

"Real men have real cores."

Considering that Intel has the same number of physical cores as AMD, but also has HyperThreading, that statement never made any sense whatsoever. Intel has 6 core cpus as well, but they can do twice as many threads per core. I fail to see how that's a bad thing.

 

[HalfAHertz]

I think they should stop prancing around and focus on bringing the next architecture to us faster. The K10.5 is simply outdated and inadequate compared to Intel's current solutions...It is a cheap and somewhat ok alternative but by not competing on every level it slows down introduction of new technologies and hurts the consumer.

 

[Polarman]

Looks interesting but i'm looking more foward seeing the "Zosma" in action compared to Deneb.

 

[Kitkat]

I think they should stop prancing around and focus on bringing the next architecture to us faster. The K10.5 is simply outdated and inadequate compared to Intel's current solutions...It is a cheap and somewhat ok alternative but by not competing on every level it slows down introduction of new technologies and hurts the consumer.

they aren't prancing on anything. These chips were on the road-map for quite some time to be release AT the time the road-map says and that's around April samples should go out soon. You can always go and LOOK at a road-map vs waiting for every release to be a surprise then commenting lol.

 

[BababooeyHTJ]

About time AMD will release something that can outperform a i920

In apps that can take advantage of more than four threads. I just don't get the point of this chip for the vast majority of desktop pcs. So with most apps it's no faster than my (what three year old?) Q9650. Without a doubt useless for gaming.

140W TDP, holy s***! Yeah, that going to clock well.

 

[xrealm20]

Yeah, except in the AMD case, the statement makes little to no sense because Intel had just as many real cores as they did, and Intels processor outperformed AMDs with Hyperthreading off...

It would be like someone with a 454 saying "There's no replacement for displacement" in reference to the guy with a supercharger on his motor, but the guy with a supercharger has a 502...

Yep yep, very true. Clock for clock intel is faster. Hence the reason why I run a 4.0 GHz Core i7 at home.

Just a side note, but wouldn't the guy with the 502 and the blower have more displacement than a 454?