CeBIT tidbits from AMD
Here are some notes from my AMD CeBIT visit:
- Thunderbird and Duron scaling exceeds previous estimates, so there is no need to introduce Palomino for desktop now. Initial focus on notebooks and servers. It takes some time until full Palomino production is reached, so the initial version will be released for the markets where they matter. There are no production problems.
- Mobile and Server Palomino will differ from each other. It apparently won't be possible to plug a Mobile Palomino in a desktop but it will be possible with the Server version. AMD didn't give any specific but both version will have unique features for their target markets, probably PowerNow 2.0 for Mobile and larger cache for servers.
- I can't post about the expected release date for the first Athlon notebooks but don't expect it as late at the time of Joe's worst-case scenario. The servers will follow a little bit later.
- PowerNow 2.0 is extremely impressive. The showed a 1.0 GHz demo system and it changed the clock speed many times a second from 500 MHz up to 1000 MHz. The delay is unoticeable (<200ms) and they ran two different threads (MPEG movie + Flash demo) simultaneously without any performance problems. The difference to PowerNow 1.0 is that it's even more flexible and the delays are even shorter (I think they were <300ms before).
- Both voltage and power consumption will be lower than with the current Athlon -- even at 1 GHz. They didn't give any specifics but hinted that mobile CPUs are normally in the 20W range and their solution can be expected there, too (at full speed of course). As I already posted the heat-sink of the demo system wasn't even warm. It used active cooling but when I asked if it would ran without a fan, AMD said it would probably possible. The server Palomino demo (900 MHz) used only passive cooling.
- The 1.53 GHz Palomino demo tower wasn't warmer than a normal tower but there was a very big fan under the desk (journalists weren't allowed to look into). There were also a AMD760MP demo unit with two 1.2 GHz Athlons and a x86-64 simulation.
- A 1.4 GHz Athlon (Thunderbird) is possible but not yet confirmed. We will see a Duron 900 very soon, but I can't post the exact release date yet. It won't be this month, but it will be very soon. You can expect some big OEM announcements.
- Speaking of OEM announcements: Apparently HP is also already selling DDR system or plan to do so, because they are listed as DDR partners in the press map (I saw it after I left the booth, so I couldn't ask). AMD also said that they are very close to get their first top-tier business win. They didn't want to comment on AMD760MP. But they were pleased with the development at Compaq (merger of consumer and business desktop lines).
- According to first benchmarks KT266 performance is horrible (see zdnet.de. AMD has, of course, already evaluating the platform for some time and works very closely with VIA to overcome any performance problems and enhance the chipset. They are still sticking to their "virtual gorilla" strategy but they will sell any additional DDR chipset that is needed. The sames goes for AMD760MP. There won't be any shortages.
- The current slowdown isn't affecting AMD as much as their main competitor because they aren't that exposed to the business and server space and are gaining market share. Especially the server space appears to be very weak right now. Please keep in mind that "slowdown" means instead of double digit growth, "only" single digit growth. Consumer desktop space will probably be somewhat weaker in Q2 than Q1 (normally seasonal pattern) but business will probably pick up in Q4 at the latest.
I hope I didn't forget anything. Let me just say that I was very impressed by AMD's progress and pleasantly surprised by Palomino. It appears that they are making good progress of gaining market share. The presenation was very upbeat and the future roadmap looks impressive -- even with the delays. IMO AMD is a good investment right now and as long as there don't happen any disasters it will continue to grow faster than the rest of they industry.
Andreas
PS: I also made some picture and videos of PowerNow, Palomino etc. and will look at them later. Unfortunately the lighting in the room wasn't that good, so we probably won't be able to read the die inscription or look at the L7 bridged to see at what voltage Palomino runs. |
