AMD Starts Shipping 12-core and 8-core ''Magny Cours'' Opteron Processors

AMD has started shipping its 8-core and 12-core "Magny Cours" Opteron processors for sockets G34 (2P-4P+), and C32 (1P-2P). The processors mark entry of several new technologies for AMD, such as a multi-chip module (MCM) approach towards increasing the processor's resources without having to complicate chip design any further than improving on those of the Shanghai and Istanbul. The new Opteron chips further make use of third-generation HyperTransport interconnect technologies for 6.4 GT/s interconnect speeds between the processor and host, and between processors on multi-socket configurations. It also embraces the Registered DDR3 memory technology. Each processor addresses memory over up to four independent (unganged) memory channels. Technologies such as HT Assist improve inter-silicon bandwidth on the MCMs. The processors further benefit from 12 MB of L3 caches on board, and 512 KB of dedicated L2 caches per processor core.

In the company's blog, the Director of Product Marketing for Server/Workstation products, John Fruehe, writes "Production began last month and our OEM partners have been receiving production parts this month." The new processors come in G34/C32 packages (1974-pin land-grid array). There are two product lines: the 1P/2P capable (cheaper) Opteron 4000 series, and 2P to 4P capable Opteron 6000 series. There are a total of 18 SKUs AMD has planned some of these are listed as followed, with OEM prices in EUR:

• Opteron 6128 (8 cores) | 1.5 GHz | 12MB L3 cache | 115W TDP - 253.49 Euro
• Opteron 6134 (8 cores) | 1.7 GHz | 12MB L3 cache | 115W TDP - 489 Euro
• Opteron 6136 (8 cores) | 2.4 GHz | 12MB L3 cache | 115W TDP - 692 Euro
• Opteron 6168 (12 cores) | 1.9 GHz | 12MB L3 cache | 115W TDP - 692 Euro
• Opteron 6172 (12 cores) | 2.1 GHz | 12MB L3 cache | 115W TDP - 917 Euro
• Opteron 6174 (12 cores) | 2.2 GHz | 12MB L3 cache | 115W TDP - 1,078 Euro