AMD will introduce in volume the industry’s first native quad- core processors, meaning that four processing cores will reside on a single silicone die. This contrasts with the competition’s current dual/dual core approach, where two dual- core chips are connected in a quad-core multi- hip module. The Quad-Core AMD Opteron” processors, which will be available for IP to 8P servers and workstations, will also feature micro-architectural enhancements. Indeed. AMD’s new quad-core technology has led experts to suggest that AMD’s approach to multi-core processing is more efficient than that of the competition.

“Intel has pursued a strategy of optimizing time-to-market, whereas AMD has pursued a strategy of optimizing performance,” says Nathan Brookwood, founder of Insight64, a semiconductor and IT analyst firm in Saratoga.
Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors will deliver the same 95-watt electrical and thermal envelope (with low power options) as its current single- and dual core processors, AMD expects that quad-core will advance the performance-per-watt characteristics of AMD Opteron processor-powered systems. Once available, data center managers can benefit by being able to deploy quad-core servers using the same space and infrastructure as existing servers powered by AMD Opteron processors. Current DDR2-based AMD Opteron processor-based platforms will be able to seamlessly upgrade to native Quad-Core AMD processors without compromising performance, power or heat.
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