Phenom X4, X3 45nm Lineup for H1 2009 Explained

[btarunr]

AMD would be releasing its first desktop processors based on the 45nm silicon fabrication process, based on the newer Deneb core. The company is said to have made several tweaks to the original K10 design and equipped the core with 300% the amount of L3 cache as its 65nm Agena parts. The only thing got us wondering was what would be its nomenclature like? Well, be surprised to know that after Phenom X4 9000 series, the company plans to continue the numbering with a 5-digit model number scheme with x1000 unit deviations between models. A rather confusing naming scheme, as suggested by the chart provided, seems to have been adopted.

It is now clear, that there will be two distinct kinds of Phenom X4 45nm chips: those which continue support for DDR2 memory on the existing AM2/AM2+ sockets, and those which are exclusive to the AM3 socket and feature support for DDR3 memory, DDR3 1333MHz at that. The processors would feature dual 64-bit memory controllers, which could be ganged for a single 128-bit wide memory interface, or un-ganged to step up multi-tasking efficiency.



The first two Phenom parts out are, Phenom X4 20350, clocked at 2.80 GHz, and a higher model, Phenom X4 20550, clocked at 3.00 GHz. Both these parts are DDR2 compatible which extends the life of current AM2/AM2+ platform. Both have rated TDP of 125W. This is an improvement over the 65nm parts, which had a third of the amount of L3 cache and the 2.60 part being rated at 140W.

Next up, is a fleet of AM3 socket processors that use DDR3-1333 as the memory standard. Their nomenclature starts from the 16xxx range, extending up to 20xxx depending on the clock speed. It can be seen that the parts with a full 8 MB cache (4x 512 KB L2 + 6 MB L3) feature a 20xxx number, while those based on the Propus core which lack L3 caches, feature a total of 2 MB cache (4x 512 KB), have 16xxx series number depending on their clock speeds. Interestingly, there's a part with 3 MB cache featured. We're not sure how the math works out. Finally, 45nm Phenom X3 parts are listed, with their two kinds of cores depending on the presence of L3 caches. They use 14xxx for those with the L3 cache (Heka core), and 12xxx for those without them (Rana core). As you can see, the model numbers are now a complete deviation from the PRN system AMD used only an year ago with its Athlon 64 X2 chips. Also mentioned are their tentative release dates. AM2+ Deneb chips are just around the corner.

Source: Expreview

[servermonkey]

i wonder if there is a black edition in the line up

[Error 404]

Wow, looks like AMD are finally getting their shit together.
3 GHz quad? Nice. I might consider an AMD+ATI Quad Core rig once I get some money and spare time.

[PVTCaboose1337]

3ghz quad for the win! I cannot wait to see what they have to offer when benchies come out.

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by servermonkey

i wonder if there is a black edition in the line up

AMD could close the AM2 / AM2+ chapter with a Deneb 20x00 Black Edition. Regarding DDR3 chips with unlocked multipliers, all indications are that Deneb FX (Phenom FX) offers that.

[Mussels]

god the naming lineup looks like ass. fire the guy who invents these numbers.

[WarEagleAU]

I agree the whole damn thing is confusing. And it seems they kind of went away from the backwards compatibility of AM2/AM2+ and AM3. good to see some preliminaries on them, but the naming scheme needs to change.

[magibeg]

I wonder what tweaks they've done to these chips outside of dumping a bunch of cache on them. (not sure how much benefit all the extra cache will be anyway, but i suppose they wouldn't put it on if they didn't think it would help)

[mdm-adph]

Screw this -- I'm still waiting on my 45W dual-core Phenom. I'm not moving to quad-core for another couple of years.

[jbunch07]

Oh yes! that's what im talking about, Im so picking me up that 3ghz quad!

[Steevo]

It has seemed to me that the memory controller is the reason why most Phenoms to date overclock poorly, and the lack of cache hinders performance in multi-tasking and or very linear tasks.


Perhaps they beefed up the controller and withthe upped cache these should perform really well.

[dani31]

AFAIK the AM3 processors will be paired at launch with RD790/SB750 rebranded combo,
with RD890/SB800 to follow in Q2, with availability by the time Intel goes 32 nm.

I need a new gaming rig for the autumn games (Crysis, Stalker and the like) so I'm not gonna wait. I'll build a 9950 + DFI RD790/SB750 board + HD 4870 rig today and worry less about future performance benchmark cause this is a never ending story.

[btarunr]

I remade the chart myself. Is it better now? Those letters "xyz / abc" are variables, AMD is yet to place a number there, just to show the numbering series.

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by btarunr

I remade the chart myself. Is it better now? Those letters "xyz / abc" are variables, AMD is yet to place a number there, just to show the numbering series.

that makes things a little easier to read, thanks.

[Para_Franck]

OOOO yes, I will be trading my good old 5600+ for a 20350 model. I neverregretted my old X2, she still runs pretty sweet (3,3Ghz) But those quads with more cache and smaller fabrication process really look better, so It will be time to change soon.

It is now time to start saving money, I sure would like a pair of 4850 to go with that! (now running a 3850)


Ooooo sweet upgrades, you are costing me all my loose change!
Should I consider Vista and DX10?

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by Para_Franck

OOOO yes, I will be trading my good old 5600+ for a 20350 model. I neverregretted my old X2, she still runs pretty sweet (3,3Ghz) But those quads with more cache and smaller fabrication process really look better, so It will be time to change soon.

It is now time to start saving money, I sure would like a pair of 4850 to go with that! (now running a 3850)


Ooooo sweet upgrades, you are costing me all my loose change!
Should I consider Vista and DX10?

I would def recomend vista and DX10

[magibeg]

Vista and DX10 is definitely a wise choice. Definitely don't regret getting it for my system.

[smd20z]

I thought the power values would have been lower due to migration of 45nm...Ah I think Core i7 is bringing another can of whoop @$$ from Intel, but we need competition!!!

[johnnyfiive]

I've been saving for the Deneb, Q4.. please come out in Q4.

[WarEagleAU]

Yeah Bta, it's alot easier to read now. Something I didnt post earlier is, I was hoping with the transition to 45nm that power would be a tad bit lower. I was thinking they would top out at 95W and be as low as 65W perhaps.

Also, nice to see the core speed go up. Hopefully, they will OC alot better and the extra cache should help with other applications.

I also noticed that AMD transition to 45nm alot quicker than they did to 65nm. Not exactly on the heels of Intel but damn near close to them, which is good. If Intel is heading to 32nm soon (which would be odd to go there so quick with the release of 45nm pieces ) I expect AMD to follow in about 6-9 months.

I hope the prices stay within reason as well.


Oh, are there 790FX boards out now that have the SB750 on it?

[btarunr]

65nm Agena : 2.60 GHz (X4 9950) = 140W
45nm Deneb : 2.60 GHz (X4 20x00, + 4 MB more L3 cache) = 95W.

Not bad

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by WarEagleAU

Yeah Bta, it's alot easier to read now. Something I didnt post earlier is, I was hoping with the transition to 45nm that power would be a tad bit lower. I was thinking they would top out at 95W and be as low as 65W perhaps.

Also, nice to see the core speed go up. Hopefully, they will OC alot better and the extra cache should help with other applications.

I also noticed that AMD transition to 45nm alot quicker than they did to 65nm. Not exactly on the heels of Intel but damn near close to them, which is good. If Intel is heading to 32nm soon (which would be odd to go there so quick with the release of 45nm pieces ) I expect AMD to follow in about 6-9 months.

I hope the prices stay within reason as well.


Oh, are there 790FX boards out now that have the SB750 on it?

yes,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186149
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339

[smd20z]

Originally Posted by jbunch07

yes,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186149
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339

Great to see the SB750 out so quickly - although I'd rather go with DFI/ASUS/GIG over foxconn any day. Thanks for the post.

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by smd20z

Great to see the SB750 out so quickly - although I'd rather go with DFI/ASUS/GIG over foxconn any day. Thanks for the post.

second board is ASUS

[pjladyfox]

Originally Posted by btarunr

65nm Agena : 2.60 GHz (X4 9950) = 140W
45nm Deneb : 2.60 GHz (X4 20x00, + 4 MB more L3 cache) = 95W.

Not bad

Not bad is right. While, granted, I wish the power savings were a bit more say somewhere in the 65W range this really is not that terrible when you look at the differences.

Hopefully the Phenom X4 20550 will be reasonably priced when it comes out since that would be a nice healthy jump in performance over my 9850 at 2.5GHz. I'm just wondering how well it will be able to compete against the Core i7 since I'd really like to see AMD get back into the performance game.

However, I must admit I am a bit disappointed that they seem to be ditching the AM2+ and DDR2 since I'm still really not sold on DDR3 especially considering the prices are still higher and I'm not going to be paying double for the same performance just for a new socket.