Will AMD essentially be putting two AMD dual-core processors on a single die?
 
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 AMD PowerNow!™ Technology (Cool’n’Quiet™ Technology)
    - New features enable better and more dynamic performance with increased efficiency