| Q: | What is the AMD Phenom™ processor?
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| A: | AMD Phenom™ processors represent the next generation of AMD’s award winning multi-core Direct Connect Architecture with AMD64 technology enabling greater memory throughput, lower latency and ultra-fast connections to system resources including graphics processors and accelerators.
Featuring true quad-core technology, AMD Phenom™ processors are designed to deliver unprecedented megatasking performance and highly tuneable performance platforms to meet the demanding needs of technologically savvy enthusiasts.*
AMD Phenom™ processors are designed for phenomenal performance and optimum energy efficiency for a growing list of demanding applications, including digital content creation, high-definition video editing, multi-threaded gaming and creative design. AMD Phenom™ processors are targeted toward mainstream users who crave more performance and productivity. |
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| Q: | What are the frequencies and wattage for the latest AMD Phenom processors?
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| A: | On March 27th AMD launched five new quad-core desktop processors and introduced the industries first triple-core desktop processors:
- AMD Phenom™ X4 9850 Black Edition processor– 2.5 GHz (125W) featuring Clock Multiplier Control and tunable performance. (Note: AMD’s product warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking.)
- AMD Phenom™ X4 9750 processor – 2.4 GHz (125W)
- AMD Phenom™ X4 9650 processor – 2.3 GHz (95W)
- AMD Phenom™ X4 9550 processor – 2.2 GHz (95W)
- Energy Efficient AMD Phenom™ X4 9100e processor – 1.8 GHz (65W), the industries first 65W quad-core processor.
- AMD Phenom™ X3 8400 – 2.1 GHz (95W)
- AMD Phenom™ X3 8600 – 2.3 GHz (95W)
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| Q: | Why is AMD adding triple core processors to its desktop product lineup?
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| A: | The introduction of AMD Phenom™ X3 triple-core processors to the desktop product lineup will increase choice and deliver unique value for AMD customers. These processors are expected to offer the performance and multi-tasking capability of true multi-core technology to a broader audience, for state-of-the-art platforms with next-generation processor architecture.
AMD is introducing AMD Phenom X3 triple-core to address an increasing market need for multi-core solutions. Triple-core processors are expected to provide significant performance advantages over similar dual-core AMD processors. Customers will be able to take advantage of AMD’s innovative multi-core technology and experience a compelling solution, especially when combined with AMD’s 7-Series chipsets and
ATI Radeon™ HD 3000 series graphics processors. |
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| Q: | Will AMD be introducing additional frequencies on the processor side in the near future?
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| A: | In addition to these latest products we plan to offer higher frequency AMD Phenom processors in Q2 2008. |
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| Q: | How many transistors are used on the AMD Phenom processors?
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| A: | AMD Phenom processors use 450 million transistors. |
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| Q: | Will AMD essentially be putting two AMD dual-core processors on a single die?
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| A: | No. The AMD64 architecture was designed from the beginning for multiple cores on a single piece of silicon. For AMD desktop quad-core processors, we have added the additional two cores and L3 cache – other resources like the integrated memory controller and HyperTransport™ technology links remain on the die. This allows quad-core AMD processors to share a single package and offers an easy upgrade path. AMD Phenom™ processors are designed as true triple- and quad-core products based on award-winning AMD64 technology, as well as:
- Improved overall performance
- With a true quad-core design, cores communicate on the same piece of silicon, with Direct Connect Architecture and cache and core performance enhancements
- Infrastructure Compatibility
- AM2 and AM2+ package and socket compatibility
- Unique Shared L3 Cache
- Fast access to more of the most accessed data
- 128-bit Floating Point Unit
- Larger data paths can mean improved speed in floating point calculations
- Integrated DDR2 Memory Controller
- Support for DD2-800 and planned support for DDR2-1066 pending JEDEC specification approval and release
- Enhanced Efficiency with Cool’n’Quiet 2.0 Technology
- New features enable better and more dynamic performance with increased efficiency
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| Q: | How many threads can quad-core client processors handle at once? What about a triple-core?
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| A: | Each core can process one software thread at a time, which means up to four threads are being processed simultaneously for quad-core processors, and up to three threads for triple-core processors. |
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| Q: | What client applications will benefit from quad-core processors?
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| A: | Applications that run in multi-tasking and background productivity environments, such as running firewall and anti-virus software in the background and running a video in the foreground simultaneously, can experience enhanced performance with
AMD Phenom X4 quad-core processors. Additionally, media-centric multi-threaded applications such as games, photo and video editing and audio mixing, as well as home theater integration with media center PCs, should benefit from AMD’s quad-core processors.
AMD Phenom X3 triple-core processors are expected to offer similar benefits available with AMD Phenom X4 quad-core processors. AMD also believes triple-core processors can provide significant performance advantages over similar dual-core AMD processors in key industry standard benchmarks, including SYSmark 2007 and 3D Mark 2006, as well as similar quad-core processors in certain gaming and digital content creation scenarios. |
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| Q: | Do quad-core processors mean users get four times the performance?
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| A: | AMD Phenom™ X4 9000 series processors can take advantage of multithreaded code used to develop more and more of today’s demanding digital media, gaming and productivity applications to deliver faster performance, more realistic environments, and stunning high-fidelity visuals. Actual performance improvements are dependent on the applications that are being run.
*AMD’s product warranty does not cover damage caused by overclocking |
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