AMD has announced the next generation server platform processors codenamed as “Shanghai”. These server processors will run at speeds ranging from 2.3 GHz to 2.7 GHz. All the new processors will run at 75 watt TDP.
These chips are the 45 nm variants of the Barcelona range of processors. But they are not just a mere die shrink, they have some enhancements too. These processors will have a 6 MB L3 cache memory which is the major difference between the previous generation ones which has only 2 MB cache. AMD touts better virtualization performance by these new processors.
By going to 45 nm technology, not only can these chips run at a higher speed but also at a lower wattage and lower heat emission, both of which are vital for server systems.
The previous gen Barcelona had several issues ranging from poor clock speeds to initial TLB errors and poor availability. These all created a very bad review about those server processors and AMD will be hoping that these ones can compete very well with the Intel Harpertown processors.
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It is rumored that Intel's next generation processor architecture code named 'Nehalem' will launch on November 17. It has already been given a real world name of core i7.
The major change being made is the integrated memory controller and addition of L3 cache system. Then as usual the next gen will have more performance that better performance/power ratio. And of course they are quad cores. Hyper threading support has returned from the P4 era but this time Intel's claims it is better implemented. So logically it should contain 8 cores.
Initial previews and rumors suggest that this one will be performing around 20 % better than core2 processors and consuming a slightly more power. The reduction in L2 cache and addition of L3 cache from the core2 ones will result in gaming performance almost being the same.
Since this is one has integrated memory controller and support for DDR3, a new socket will be needed and won’t fit into current motherboards. The chipset x58 will be the first ones to support these new processors.
The 2.53 GHz ones will be the cheapest variants at launch at $285 and go on with higher spec models and up with extreme edition variants at $1000.
