AMD Launches Low-Power Six-Core Opterons

By Antone Gonsalves
InformationWeek


Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) on Monday expanded its family of six-core Opteron server processors with three low-power chips for two-, four- and eight-socket systems.
The 55-watt HE processors are available as of Monday in ProLiant systems from Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ). Other computer makers will likely release HE-powered servers throughout the third quarter.



More Hardware InsightsWhite PapersThe AMD Processor Roadmap for HP ProLiant ServersData Backup Security OverviewWebcastsInnovating in Today's Economy: Sustaining Your Edge with HPCReportsExplore the CA Know-How Assessment CenterThe Future-Proof Data CenterVideos
The Core i7 processor is the first member of a new family of Nehalem processor designs with new technologies that boost performance on demand.The latest six-core processors use up to 18% less power at the platform-level than standard Opteron chips and get up to 18% better performance-per-watt than the quad-core HE version of the server processor, according to AMD. The chip maker said it would release Opteron processors later in the year with even greater energy efficiency than the latest products.
"These new lower power Six-Core AMD Opteron processors feature the highest performance-per-watt that we have brought to market, and help drive down power consumption while addressing the shifting cloud and Web landscape of today's data center," Patrick Patia, VP and general manager of AMD's server business, said in a statement.

In addition, AMD unveiled two higher power six-core SE processors for running demanding workloads, such as database and customer relationship management applications. The two new chips consume up to 105 watts and have a clock speed of 2.8 GHz. They are also for two-, four- and eight-socket systems.

For four- and eight-socket systems, AMD is offering the 8439 SE and the 2.1 GHz 8425 HE, which sell for $2,649 and $1,514, respectively, in batches of 1,000 units. For two-socket servers, AMD is selling the 2439 SE, the 2.1 GHz 2425 HE and the 2.0 GHz 2423 HE for $1,019, $523 and $455, respectively, in quantities of 1,000 units.

AMD launched its first six-core Opteron processor June 1, saying more chips would follow in the third quarter. The chips are based on AMD's Istanbul microarchitecture, which is "drop-in" compatible with sockets in systems running quad-core chips of the previous generation.

Replacing one of AMD's older chips with Istanbul will provide up to 34% more performance, according to AMD. In addition, the new architecture offers a new technology called HyperTransport Assist that increases memory and input/output performance. AMD's Opteron line competes with Intel's Xeon family.

AMD's Istanbul chips, built using a 45-nanometer manufacturing processor, were manufactured by GlobalFoundries, a joint company between AMD and Advanced Technology Investment Co., formed by the Abu Dhabi government.

AMD stockholders in February approved the spin-off of AMD's manufacturing operations to the joint venture in order to reduce AMD's costs and, hopefully end the company's string of money-losing quarters.

In 2010, AMD said it plans to release eight- to 12-core 45-nm Opteron processors code-named Magny-Cours, and in 2011, 32-nm 12- to 16-core chips code-named Interlagos. The new processors will run on a new platform, code-named Maranello, and will require a new socket, which means they won't be drop-in compatible with current systems.