There was some confusion last week that Intel's Ivy Bridge CPUs, boun dto be released in April, would be delayed.

Intel denied having changed the product plans it had in place however the dual-core laptop units seem to be the exception. More precisely, due to the large supply of Sandy Bridge central processors, the Santa Clara, California-based company is putting off the release of dual-core mobile units.

That means that all the desktop components will be up for sale as planned, and the same goes for most of the notebook platforms.

Nevertheless, both standard voltage and ULV (ultra-low voltage) dual-cores are subject to the delay, while the Core i3 chips have been pushed back even further, all the way to August or September instead of May/June.

The supply of Sandy Bridge CPUs is said to be so high that not only are vendors overstocked, but also even Intel's own warehouses still have shipments that, had sales been better, would have been sent out quite a while ago.

For those that know about the different sorts of notebooks out there, this all means that strong consumer and business PCs will be updated soon enough, but ultrabooks won't be so lucky.

This puts a damper on the hopes that the new, super-thin machines would drop in price. While they will, eventually, become cheaper, this will happen at a slow enough rate that only in 2013 will they be considered affordable.

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There are three new processors, well APUs. from Advanced Micro Devices closing in on retail stores, according to Donim Haber.

They are called FX-8140, FX-6120 and FX-4150 and will probably be launched in March, 2012 (next month).

FX-4150, as the weakest of the trio, features four cores, each working at a base frequency of 3.9 GHz and a Turbo Core rating of 4.1 GHz. The second unit, FX-6120, can reach the same Turbo Core level as above, even though its six cores function at 3.5 GHz normally.

As for the FX-8140, it is a strong, 8-core central processor (4 modules) whose base frequency is of 3.2 GHz and whose maximum Turbo Core performance is of, again, 4.1 GHz.

All three newcomers draw 95W of energy, though it may be possible for the 8-core to come in a 125W variant as well.

If anything, this shows that AMD is not about to back out of the processor segment, even if it has stopped bothering with trying to outmatch Intel on the high-end front.

Finally, the FX-4150 boasts 12 MB of cache memory, while the FX-6120 comes with 14 MB and the FX-8140 has 16 MB.

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Four new Sandy Bridge-EP processors from Intel

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Intel's more affordable processor in the LGA2011 package, the Core i7-3820, surfaced in many stores in japen and in the EU as well.

The price is hovering just above the 300 EUR marker. The retail box of this chip, carrying the S-Spec code "SR0LD", appears to be as big as those of the Core i7-3930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.

Intel

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The guys at Donim Haber shared details about six upcoming AMD Trinity APUs.. An interesting revelation here is that AMD does not have triple-core APUs anywhere in its lineup. The A10 lineup consists of quad-core APUs that come with Radeon HD 7660D graphics, while the A8 lineup also consists of quad-core APUs, but with slower Radeon HD 7560D graphics. The A6 lineup consists of dual-core APUs with Radeon HD 7540D graphics, while the A4 lineup has dual-core APUs with Radeon HD 7480D graphics.

The HD 7660D has 384 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, HD 7560D has 256 of these, the HD 7540D has 192, and the HD 7480D has 128. The HD 7480D also lacks dual-graphics support that lets you pair the APU-embedded graphics processor with a compatible discrete GPU to make the two work in tandem. While these GPUs have comparatively lower stream processors than previous-generation "Llano", performance increase is made up for by the more advanced GPU architecture, and higher GPU core speeds.

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Intel has shed light on the fact that its next-generation 22nm processors based on the Haswell architecture will support Transactional Synchronization Extensions (TSX), a new instruction set designed to allow cores to work more efficiently together.

These new synchronization extensions (Intel TSX) are useful in shared-memory multithreaded applications that employ lock-based synchronization mechanisms. In a nutshell, Intel TSX provides a set of instruction set extensions that allow programmers to specify regions of code for transactional synchronization.

According to Intel, with transactional synchronization, the hardware can determine dynamically whether threads need to serialize through lock-protected critical sections, and perform serialization only when required.

From what we know at this point in time, the new TSX instruction set will be supported by all processors based on the Haswell architecture. Haswell is the code name used by Intel for Ivy Bridge's successor and this is expected to be launched in March-June 2013.

Compared to their predecessors, the chips will feature higher IPC performance, support for the AVX2 instruction set, and will also receive DirectX 11.1 support. With the introduction of Haswell, Intel plans to split its product range into two distinct groups.

The first group includes the company's desktop and notebook processors, while the latter is specially designed for Ultrabooks, and drops the usual 2-chip platform approach that Intel has been using for quite some time in favor of a system-on-a-chip (SoC) design.

Desktop CPUs will feature either two of four processing cores with TDPs of 35, 45, 65 or 95 Watt, and will include a dual-channel DDR3/DDR3L memory controller, as well as GT2 or GT1 integrated graphics cores.

Mobile chips will be available in the same dual or quad-core configurations, but pack the more powerful Intel GT3 GPU, while the memory controller only supports DDR3L DIMMs.

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Intel has decided on discontinuing two more 32 nm chips, the 3.2 GHz Core i3-550 and the 3.33 GHz i3-560. Released back in 2010, these 'old timers' will be available for new orders until June 29 and will continue shipping till December 7th (for the tray SKUs) or until supplies are depleted (boxed SKUs).

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Intel released a BIOS update for its DX79SI "Siler" motherboard that activates PCI Express 3.0 support. You can download the BIOS update over here.

Intel just sent us word that they have released BIOS Version 0424 (SIX7910J.86A.0424.2012.0127.1620) for their DX79SI motherboard! This BIOS update includes 20 fixes, updates or new features! We've been asking Intel why their flagship Sandy Bridge-E motherboard doesn't support PCI Express 3.0 for weeks and it appears that with this BIOS update the board now supports the PCI Express 3.0 specification. This is good news for AMD Radeon HD 7900 video card owners as they can run their card at its full potential. Sure, the gains of PCI Express 3.0 are hardly noticeable, but at least the board now supports it!

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A leaked Intel roadmap reveals Intel's Haswell architecture is slated for March-April 2013:
According to the conventional idea of Intel's tick-tock CPU development strategy, it will be built on the 22 nm fab process, which will have gained some maturity by then.

Intel follows a "tick-tock" product development model. Every year, Intel's product lineup sees either of the two. A "tock" brings in a new x86 architecture, a "tick" miniaturizes it to a newer silicon fabrication process. Earlier reports indicated that Haswell Core processors will be based on a newer socket, the LGA1150, and hence it will not be compatible with LGA1155 platforms.

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Despite of introduction of new "A-Series" and other "-Series" families, the company continued to use "Athlon II" and "Sempron" names for "Llano" products, that didn't have on-chip GPU. The first Athlon II branded Llano model for socket FM1, quad-core 631 with 2.6 GHz frequency, was launched last summer. It was followed by Athlon II 651 in November. Yesterday AMD added another two Athlon II CPUs to AMD product database. The processors are Athlon II X4 638 and 641. Today Athlons were added to official pricelist.

Athlon II X4 641 was spotted last August in CPU support list on Biostar website. This SKU has 4 cores, clocked at 2.8 GHz. Each core integrates its own 1MB L2 cache, and the chip comes with standard features for K10 generation of CPUs: SIMD support up to SSE3, AMD64, Enhanced Virus protection, and Virtualization. The CPU has 100 Watt TDP, and works in socket FM1. At this time boxed version of X4 641 is available for pre-order from Provantage and a few other US online stores. Pre-order prices for this Athlon II are in the $90 - $95 range. Official price for AMD 641 is $81.

Like model 641, AMD Athlon II 638 is a quad-core CPU with 4 MB L2 cache. This previously unknown model operates at 2.7 GHz, and it fits into 65 Watt power envelope. Other characteristics of this SKU are identical to Athlon II 641. The processor is not yet available in stores. The Athlon II 638 is priced at $81.

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Scammers are everywhere, even in the high-end CPU market. An unsuspecting buyer paid hundreds of dollars for a Core i7-990X six-core LGA1366 processor, only to end up with a badly-done fake. The fake chip is a worthless LGA775 Pentium, on which the IHS markings of a Core i7-990X have been etched. Intel and AMD put tiny windows on their retail processor boxes so buyers could see these markings before breaking open the company seal.

The thread where this fake was reported can be read here.

In the case of the i7-990X shown in the Intel forums, anyone knowledgeable about processors would know it was not genuine, as the chip is in the wrong package (ie the wrong size), and fits the wrong socket. Unfortunately, not every consumer is as knowledgeable as most who frequent this site, so fakes like that can easily be sold on eBay and other outlets for a huge profit. It's unknown exactly which processor it was originally as the user who reported on it had not yet had a chance to test it, but one thing is for sure - it is a socket 775 chip and not a socket 1366, which it should be.

As a final thought, when buying parts (new or second-hand) from an unknown retailer, or through a private sale (eg on a forum where the seller is not known) you may not have any options to recover the cost of your investment. On the other hand, buying expensive components from large, established retailers usually means you will get genuine parts that they purchased either from the manufacturer or from an authorized distributor, meaning a far lower chance of a fake product slipping through, and a far greater chance of getting either a refund or replacement if your goods do not work as advertised (ie fakes or faulty goods). The manufacturer is under no obligation to help you if your goods are fake.

 

 

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ComputerWorld writes AMD has three new FX processors inbound; the FX-4170, FX-6200 and FX-8150 (WOX). The FX-4170 is the first AMD chip to exceed 4GHz, it offers a 4.2GHz clockspeed and a 4.3GHz Turbo.

The FX-8150 (WOX) includes a liquid cooling kit, but at $398.29 it's considerably more expensive than the air cooled FX-8150 ($269.99 at Newegg).

AMD FX-4170 will be the first production AMD processor with clock speed greater than 4 GHz. This quad-core CPU is clocked at 4.2 GHz, and up to 4.3 GHz when two or more cores are idle. As all retail FX-Series products, FX-4170 has unlocked clock multiplier, and comes with 8 MB L3 cache. Thermal Design Power of this model is 125 Watt. The chip can be pre-ordered for $153.27, and we hope that the price will drop a bit once the FX-4170 is released.

Model Cores Frequency Turbo Frequency L3 cache TDP Pre-order price

• FX-Series FX-4170 4 4.2 GHz 4.3 GHz 8 MB 125 Watt $153.27
• FX-Series FX-6200 6 3.8 GHz 4.1 GHz 8 MB 125 Watt $188.48
• FX-Series FX-8150 (WOX) 8 3.6 GHz 4.1 GHz 8 MB 125 Watt $398.29

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Advanced Micro Devices revealed many things during its Financial Analyst Day, some good (like plans for a

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Intel's most CPU from the upcoming Ivy Bridge collection is going to be known as Core i7 3770K and has been benchmarked, apparently. The benchmarking results that have made their way to the Internet originate with OBR-Hardware, which is not the most reliable of sources TBH.

That said, OBR-Hardware claims to have tested the upcoming central processing unit on a Z68 chipset motherboard loaded with a new UEFI/BIOS that included Ivy Bridge support. The processor was an engineering sample that used the C0 stepping and was clocked at 3.5 GHz, while the Turbo Boost upper limit was 3.9 GHz.

Long story short, the tests showed a superiority of about 9% compared to the Core i7 2600K and, by extension, a likely improvement of 6-7% over the Core i7 2700K.  For those that want more specifics, the tests included both single-threaded and multi-threaded benchmarks.

It bears noting that Ivy Bridge was never about extra performance in terms of raw processing might, hence the arguably modest rise in computing scores. Instead, Intel chose to focus on making the graphics side better, while reducing the die size and power requirements. While featuring the Intel GMA HD IGP (integrated graphics processor), the TDP (thermal design power) of Ivy Bride will be 18W below that of Sandy bridge (77W instead of 95W).

Nevertheless, even if this leak shows somewhat similar results to previous reports, Intel's in-house projections are a bit more ambitious. On that note, the Ivy bridge SKUs working at 65W (low-power CPUs) will probably have much higher frequencies than their SB counterparts, which also consume 65W.

The exact results are on the adjoining table but, as stated above, don't put too much stock on them just yet. Certainty will reign only after the units launch in April, alongside Z77 motherboards.

Update - they have taken the content down "because of good relationship with Intel"

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Reported a couple of times altready, Intel now has ofiically added three new IGP-less Core i5 processors to its official price list.

The chips come with their GPUs disabled and can be identified by the model numbers 2550K, 2450P, and 2380P. That first CPU features a fully unlocked upper multiplier, so it's the one you'll want.

Versus the existing Core i5-2500K, the 2550K offers 100MHz increases in base and Turbo frequencies, bringing the chip up to 3.4GHz with a 3.8GHz Turbo peak. Those speeds match the Core i7-2600K, which offers additional cache and Hyper-Threading support missing from the i5 series. Intel is selling the 2550K at $225

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Earlier last year we reported that Intel had plans to release a trio of Sandy Bridge processors that would come with their built-in GPUs disabled. Now, almost a month after this initial report, Gigabyte has confirmed the existence of these chips.

The three chips are the Core i5-2380P, Core i5-2450P and a somewhat older acquaintance of ours, the Core i5-2550K.

With a base clock of 3.1GHz and a maximum Turbo Speed of 3.4GHz, the Core i5-2380P greatly resembles the Core i5-2400, sans the integrated GPU of course. The Core i5-2450P on the other hand is a bit odd as both of its 3.2GHz base and 3.5GHz Turbo frequencies are 100MHz lower than those of the Core i5-2500.

Last but certainly not least, is the Core i5-2550K which, as we speculated at the beginning of December, has 100MHz higher base and Turbo frequencies than the current i5-2500K, which means that this will run at 3.4/3.8GHz.

All three models have 6MB cache, but none of them has VT-d or TXT support, a feature all previous non-K SKUs in the Core i5 family supported. Hyper-Threading won

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Intel Corp.'s so-called "tick-tock" model  of transitioning to new manufacturing processes and micro-architectures has proved to be very efficient in making Intel the maker of the highest-performance microprocessors. Apparently, its smaller rival Advanced Micro Devices is also plotting something similar, but a bit differently as Xbit is reporting today:

As it appears from AMD's documents observed by an X-bit labs reader (in the comments for this news-story), starting from Piledriver micro-architecture and going forward, AMD's Fusion accelerated processing units (chips that integrate both x86 and stream processing cores) will feature "reduced", or "early" micro-architectural feature-set, whereas central processing units (CPUs) based on new designs will feature "full" or "late" feature-set. As a result, x86 performance of the former will be lower than x86 performance of the latter.

AMD wants APUs to be released earlier than fully-fledged CPUs since they are aimed at broader segment of the market. Therefore, x86 cores of Fusion chips will sport "reduced" next-generation micro-architecture (and will fully support previous-gen features and capabilities) in order to cut their development time and reduce their die size. CPUs will come to market several months after APUs and will feature more advanced x86 cores that will support more new instructions and therefore will offer better x86 performance.

For example, only fully-fledged "late" Piledriver inside Viperfish (code-name of next-gen server/desktop die design, the successor of Orochi that powers FX and Opteron chips) will be able to execute numerous new instructions as well as will receive instructions per clock (IPC) increase. Even though reduced "early" Piledriver inside code-named Trinity APUs will be more advanced than the original Bulldozer, the x86 cores are projected to be slightly less efficient than those of the full Piledriver.

The "tick-tock"-like approach is expected to allow AMD to reduce time-to-market of its new products and ensure that innovations do not negatively affect yields. On the other hand, it will create difficulties for software makers who will have to take into account that x86 cores within one generation of APUs and CPUs are slightly different.

AMD did not comment on the news-story, but the company is projected to reveal more about its future plans at the forthcoming financial analyst day on the 2nd of February, 2012.

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AMD did reasonably well over the course of the fourth quarter, 2011, as well as the year as a whole.

That isn't to say that it actually made much profit, quite the opposite in fact, for October-December at least. There was a net loss of $177 million (136 million Euro, give or take), though it did not come about as a consequence of weak sales.

The marketing performance actually wasn't too bad, with revenues staying flat compared to the third quarter ($1.69 billion / 1.29 billion Euro). Also, for the whole year, revenue increased a small bit, ending up at $6.57 billion (5.04 billion Euro).

That said, the reason AMD incurred a loss this past quarter instead of profiting was the impairment of investments in Globalfoundries ($209 million / 160.5 million Euro loss). There were also some restructuring changes to cover, so the Sunnyvale, California-based corporation spent $98 million on that (75.26 million Euro).

If one factors in whatever monetary returns AMD managed to accrue, that leaves the CPU, APU and graphics card maker with a loss of $177 million for Q4 2011. Fortunately, the whole year didn't fare as bad, with the net income being of $491 million (377 million Euro), meaning $20 million / 15.3 million Euro above the sum of 2010 ($471 million / 361.72 million Euro).

Over 30 million APUs were shipped in 2011, belonging to the A, C and E lines, while the Bulldozer-based Opteron 6200/4200 CPUs enabled the server business to thrive. This fits with how Linley Group recently dubbed the 6200 as the best server processors currently available.

For the first quarter of 2012 (January-March), Advanced Micro Devices expects to face a revenue drop of 8%, give or take 3%.

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Sales of Intel's Atom processor have hit an all-time low in Q4 2011. The chip giant pulled in $167 million of Atom sales, a far cry from the $438 million peak achieved two years ago as  X-bit Labs reports.

While Intel Corp. is facing great demand towards its advanced Core i-series "Sandy Bridge" microprocessors, the firm of witnessing rapidly dropping demand towards its low-cost/low-power Atom chip line. In Q4 2011 sales of Intel Atom hit all-time low, which is another evidence of dropping popularity of netbooks and ultra low-cost PCs powered by Intel in general.

Based on Intel's financial report, the Atom micro-architecture revenue, including microprocessors and associated chipsets, was $167 million, down 38% from the third quarter and down 57% from the fourth quarter of 2010. Apparently, even despite of the beginning of revenue shipments of Atom 2000-series "Cedarview" chip, overall sales of the product family fell significantly. According to the world's largest chipmaker, Intel Atom micro-architecture revenue is down as a result of lower demand for netbooks, inexpensive small form-factor mobile computers with limited performance and capabilities.

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We have nearly three months to go before Intel makes its first Ivy Bridge processors available, bit a Taiwanese overclocker has an engineering sample Core i7-3770K CPU, which he put through all sort of tests to reveal a bit more about this chip and its overclocking potential.

The tests run by TOPPC covered both the stock and overclocked performance of the Ivy Bridge CPU and while no exact numbers were specified it seems like, on average, the ES i7-3770K was 10% faster than the current Core i7-2600K.

Overclocking wise, the chip also had a similar performance with that of its Sandy Bridge counterparts, the highest frequency achieved with all cores active being set at 4.8GHz.

TOPPC expects these results to improve when the CPU hits retail, with 5GHz being possible with all cores active, as Lenzfire reports.

Despite the not so impressive overclocking frequency achieved, the Core i7-3770K does allow for higher DDR3 speeds to be achieved as the maximum available memory option is now 2800MHz.

The Core i7-3770K will include four computing cores with Hyper-Threading support running at a base frequency of 3.5GHz, and also support Intel

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