Wednesday, May 12th 2010
AMD Cancels Phenom II X4 960T Quad-Core Processors Based on Thuban Die
In what could come as a bad news to enthusiasts looking forward to the AMD Phenom II X4 960T "Zosma" quad-core processor, AMD has scrapped plans to release it, at least to the retail market. The chip could still be available to OEM vendors designing their desktop products around it. In a circular to the press, an AMD representative said "I've been asked the question about whether there will be a Phenom II X4 960T "Thuban" quad-core by enough individuals, that I think it is a good idea to proactively share the answer to everyone. While there are indeed engineering CPU samples floating around of a 4-core Thuban 960T, I do not expect that processor will be released for general availability. Perhaps it may make its way to OEMs by special request, but that remains to be seen."
Phenom II X4 960T was a certain release from AMD until now. Various motherboard vendors released beta BIOS that could support the chip, and some enthusiasts with access to engineering samples were even successful in unlocking its disabled cores. The prospect of unlocking disabled cores to yield a six-core processor at the price of a typical quad-core processor is what garnered interest among some sections of the enthusiasts. For AMD, the adverse effect Zosma could have on the sales of more expensive Phenom II X6 seems to have outweighed propagating its new Turbo Core technology at more mainstream prices.
Source:
Legit Reviews
Phenom II X4 960T was a certain release from AMD until now. Various motherboard vendors released beta BIOS that could support the chip, and some enthusiasts with access to engineering samples were even successful in unlocking its disabled cores. The prospect of unlocking disabled cores to yield a six-core processor at the price of a typical quad-core processor is what garnered interest among some sections of the enthusiasts. For AMD, the adverse effect Zosma could have on the sales of more expensive Phenom II X6 seems to have outweighed propagating its new Turbo Core technology at more mainstream prices.
22 Comments on AMD Cancels Phenom II X4 960T Quad-Core Processors Based on Thuban Die
Financially related move by AMD?
likely, they just had very few bad x6's and decided to lower the price on them, instead of making an x4 to fill the gap.
learn it keep your mouth shut with mods :D
Looks like I'll just stick with my trustworthy PII 965..
Granted it's fudzilla but so far I haven't seen their insider article to be false, don't hold your breath though.
Most of that engineerenig samples that are floating around could be unlocked to hexacore so it's economicly wise decision cause they would cut their own sales with high demand for 960T model
When and if 960T will finally be available probably 6core unlock success stories would be in 20-25% margins and with extra high voltages. Most of hexacore chips (based on D0) easily run at 3.2GHz just at 1.200V (at least Opterons ;) )
:thumbdown: AMD :thumbdown:
It's just strategically wise decision. Big thub down for AMD that they even lure us into thinking they'll schedule Zosma (crippled X6 core) release at the same day as original Thubans. And there's always extra time needed for binninq and requalification of damaged ?lower value? chips. It wouldnt be much of surprise if they release even X2/X3 on Thuban cores after Bulldozer is introduced ;) Thank you but no thanks amd
I agree with the decision by AMD. Absolutely pointless to release a NEW quad when the x4 965 is already so close to the x6 1055T in price, general everyday performance, and if they are having good yield turnouts on the x6 die.