Multi-core CPU Development Slows Graphics Field?

Subject: Processors | August 17, 2005 - 04:50 PM | Ryan Shrout
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This article at The Inquirer points to an interview with Chief Scientist at NVIDIA, David Kirk, saying that because game developers will no be spending more time working on utilizing the multiple cores of the CPU, improvements in graphics and the utilization of the GPU will slow down.  Interestingly, this is a very similar statement to what we heard echoed by John Carmack at his recent keynote at this year's Quakecon event.  Citing the use of multiple cores in the consoles a

Asus CT-479 Pentium M Adaptor Review

Subject: Processors | July 26, 2005 - 02:09 PM | Ryan Shrout
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The Tech Report has a review up of the Asus CT-479 device that allows you to use the Pentium M processor on various Pentium 4 socket 478 motherboards.  You can check out my review for comparison too.

Compared to other available Pentium M desktop solutions, the CT-479 is compelling. Currently, the CT-479 is available for approximately $42, and compatible motherboards are available for as little as $80-85.

AMD Passes 11% Server Marketshare

Subject: Processors | July 26, 2005 - 02:01 PM | Ryan Shrout
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AMD hit a big milestone recently according to this News.com article that shows AMD has hit 11.2% of the server marketshare. 

The milestone is important in that server chips sell for more than desktop ones. An increase in sales of Opteron servers also gives AMD an opportunity to sell chips to manufacturers of business desktops and servers. To date, the vast majority of AMD desktop and notebook chips have gone into consumer computers.

Forthcoming Dual-Core Itanium CPU Achieves Fastest Four-Way Floating Point Benchmark

Subject: Processors | July 8, 2005 - 06:41 AM | Joe White
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SANTA CLARA, Calif, July 7, 2005 — Based on internal testing by Intel Corporation, a system based on the forthcoming dual-core Intel® Itanium® processor codenamed 'Montecito' demonstrated a 60 percent performance increase over a previous technical computing benchmark posted by a four-way RISC-based system.

Athlon 64 FX-57 Review

Subject: Processors | June 24, 2005 - 09:11 AM | Ryan Shrout
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I forgot to post this last week, but GDHardware has a review of the new Athlon 64 FX-57 processor that will be announced on the 27th of this month.

The real target audience for the FX-57 is going to be the ultra-gamer who insists on nothing but the absolute fastest gaming CPU money can buy. It simply crushes everything in its path in game performance and handles most of today's common applications with power to spare.

Intel Roadmap Details

Subject: Processors | June 16, 2005 - 10:58 AM | Ryan Shrout
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Anandtech is looking at the near future of Intel's roadmaps including the Presler and Cedar Mill cores.

As we mentioned earlier, two Cedar Mills running at lower clock speeds will compose a Presler dual core processor (Smithfield's replacement). HyperThreading, EIST, XD and EM64T are enabled on all of these new processors. Furthermore, all Cedar Mill chips will also receive VT technology, with the exception of the Pentium 4 631. The Pentium 4 631 and 633 are identical except the absence of VT in the 631.

Apple to Use Intel Microprocessors Beginning in 2006

Subject: Processors | June 6, 2005 - 11:27 PM | Joe White
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WWDC 2005, SAN FRANCISCO—June 6, 2005—At its Worldwide Developer Conference today, Apple® announced plans to deliver models of its Macintosh® computers using Intel® microprocessors by this time next year, and to transition all of its Macs to using Intel microprocessors by the end of 2007.  Apple previewed a version of its critically acclaimed operating system, Mac OS® X Tiger, running on an Intel-based Mac® to the over 3,800 developers attending CEO Steve Jobs' keynote address.

Apple to Officially Move from IBM to Intel Processors

Subject: Processors | June 6, 2005 - 03:26 PM | Ryan Shrout
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This is really a blow to the stomach for AMD with Steve Jobs officially announcing that they are going to Intel for their Mac line of computers.  So many times we thought we had seen AMD nearly sign up with Apple for this exact deal, but it would seem that AMD's smaller fab capabilities are holding it back yet again. 

One interesting point though is that with the Intel chips in Macs, that means an official x86 version of Mac OS X should be released soon, so maybe AMD users that build their own systems can still get the Mac experience if they wish to?

AMD Showcases Wide-Ranging Motherboard Support For Dual-Core AMD64 Processors

Subject: Processors | May 31, 2005 - 08:54 AM | Joe White
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TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- May 31, 2005 --Following the introduction of the world's first dual-core AMD64 processors, including the first x86-based dual-core server and workstation processor, AMD (NYSE: AMD) announces close alignment and support from the world's premier motherboard manufacturers. AMD and partners have shown a sustained commitment to AMD64 technology with dual-core support for the world's highest performing x86-based 32- and 64-bit processors.

AMD 'Shatters The Hourglass' With The Arrival Of The AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor

Subject: Processors | May 31, 2005 - 08:53 AM | Joe White
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COMPUTEX, TAIPEI, TAIWAN -- May 31, 2005 --Completing the world's only broad dual-core client and server processor line-up, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the immediate availability of the AMD Athlon^™ 64 X2 dual-core processor. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor is poised to deliver an experience unmatched in the industry, targeting prosumer and digital media enthusiasts, as well as those who run many software applications simultaneously.

Ever Want a 16 Core Opteron System?

Subject: Processors | May 27, 2005 - 10:38 AM | Ryan Shrout
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Yeah, me too.  But in the mean time you can look at this website that has some benchmarks from one of them.  How does a SiSoft CPU benchmark results of 171167 Dhrystone and 72739 Whetstone sound to you?  Did I mention the system had a 128 GB of memory???

Shortly after WinHEC 2005, IWill (the maker of some great motherboards and sweet sff products) generously allowed me to touch their highest performing Opteron system.  This was not your everyday dual or quad opteron system - it was an 8-way

VIA Launches the C7 Processor

Subject: Processors | May 27, 2005 - 10:27 AM | Ryan Shrout
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I highly suggest you all head over to the VIA C7 features webpage if you are at all interested in an ultra lower power processor.  There are some interesting bits of information, such as a comparison of the performance per watt against an Intel Pentium M.  And how does a total design power of 12 watts sound for a 1.5 GHz CPU?

Taipei, Taiwan, 27 May 2005 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today announced the ne

Intel Only Going to Make 500k Pentium Ds in 2005??

Subject: Processors | May 27, 2005 - 02:02 AM | Ryan Shrout
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It looks like Intel may be having more problems than we might be seeing at first glance.  Yesterday we reported that Intel was having some chipset shortages that the motherboard vendors were reporting, and today we are hearing that a shortage of Pentium D processors is going to hit as well.  But this time, because of low demand.  At Computex, many Intel dual core capable boards will be on display, but with a maximum of 500,000 procesors by years end available in the market (this includes Dell, etc) end users may not

Intel 820 and 670 Processor Reviews

Subject: Processors | May 26, 2005 - 12:09 PM | Ryan Shrout
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There are only a handful of the Intel 820 (2.8 GHz dual core) and 670 (3.8 GHz single core) reviews on the web this morning.  I am still in the middle of benchmarking my set of CPUs, I should have an article up during Computex next week.

• Tech Report evaluates both processors in their usual, in-depth fashion with some mild humor.  Twins be damned!


• Anandtech has reviewed the 670 processor as well, just another sp

Overclocking the Venice Core

Subject: Processors | May 24, 2005 - 09:52 AM | Ryan Shrout
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Overclockers is claiming that the initial round of Venice overclocking results may have put too good of a picture on the Venice core.  The results in our processor and overclocking forums seem to be pretty close what I saw initially though.

One characteristic of these chips is that they'll often do fine with default voltage or a smidgen above up to 2.5

AMD Geode(TM) LX 800@0.9W Processor

Subject: Processors | May 23, 2005 - 08:50 AM | Chuck Smith
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AMD announced the availability of the new Geode™ LX 800@0.9W Processor today. Hop on over to AMD and check out the press release!

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. today announced availability of the AMD Geode™ LX 800@0.9W processor,* enabling consumers to experience full-featured, desktop-style computing on a new generation of x86 architecture-based embedded and mobile devices.

Athlon 64 Venice 3800+ Review

Subject: Processors | May 17, 2005 - 10:16 AM | Ryan Shrout
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The gang at Tech Report have a review up of the 3800+ Athlon 64 Venice core processor. 

Perhaps we saw relatively lackluster results because we used Prime95's stringent torture test with small FFTs, which will cause a shaky CPU to throw an error even when it will run other programs with no apparent problems. We also used Windows XP x64 Edition for testing, which make uses of transistors that would be dormant in a 32-bit OS, potentially exposing a problem. Or maybe our chip was just a dog.

Slow News Day - Venice for Sale

Subject: Processors | May 16, 2005 - 01:24 PM | Ryan Shrout
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Its an oddly slow news day from a hardware review perspective.  Maybe everyone is recovering from all the Xbox 360 crap that went on last week?  In any event, until something crosses my wire, I only have an update on finding some Venice core Athlon 64 processors for sale in our Pricegrabber engine.

• Athlon 64 3000+ Venice - from $149


• Athlon 64 3200+ Venice -