Andreas,
Thanks for the report from CeBIT.
- 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.
Apparently, it is desirable to have a different package for notebooks to achieve slim design. Hopefully, that is the difference. Otherwise, both features that could differentiate the 2 are useful for both markets. PowerNow is extremely useful for servers, since they sit mostly idle, and there are a lot of them in the server rooms, burning a lot of electricity and even more by the airconditioners needed for these server farms.
If we are talking about up to 512K of L2, both mobile and server parts could use it. If more, than it would not be so prece / competitive for mobile market.
- 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).
I can't wait to see the spec of PowerNow. I think this is extremely important technology for AMD and it was orinally introduced in the end of life product - K6 and for almost a year of it's existance, AMD did not derive much benefit from it. BTW, 200 ms seems like a long time. Are you sure about it? What happens in the middle of switching if a DVD is playing? Does it just hold the last frame? moo ms and 30 FPS, the CPU would be losing 6 frames, and with MPEG, the CPU still needs to process the all the frames to get to the next one.
But with a powerful CPU as 1 GHz Palomino, it probably has enough power to decode DVD even on the lowest speed, so there may not be need for any switching during DVD play.
- 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).
All great news. I hope that HP uses 760 chipsets, because each 760 chipset sold adds almost as much revenue as a Duron, but it doesn't use up any fab space. HP on DDR bandwagon will start to build a critical mass. It would be very nice to get an Athlon win with Sony Vaio, in addition to Duron.
It would be nice if Gateway introduced some new AMD based lines, especially Duron and DDR lines.
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.
Another great news. I think the availability of DDR motherboards has improved significantly over last 2 weeks. Now all we need is MSI K7 DDR board, and prices to drop from average of around $200 to $150 on average. as is, there is very little or no price advantage to DDR motherboards over P4 RDRAM motherboards.
Joe |
