Details on AMD Bulldozer: Opterons to Feature Configurable TDP
by Johan De Gelas & Kristian Vättö on July 15, 2011 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- IT Computing
- CPUs
- Bulldozer
- AMD
- Cloud Computing
- Zambezi
- Valencia
- Interlagos
Overview of Bulldozer Lineup
AMD’s new Bulldozer-based CPUs are just around the corner. AMD has said the release of Zambezi CPUs will happen in Q3, which means any time from now. The latest word on the street suggests October release though. We know quite a lot about these CPUs already but there is at least one thing we didn't know until now and it may end up being a big thing in server market. AMD’s John Fruehe has published an interesting blog post where he reveals that AMD’s upcoming server CPUs, Operons, will feature a user-configurable TDP.
| AMD Bulldozer lineup | |||
| Codename | Zambezi | Valencia | Interlagos |
| Market | High-end consumers | Low-end servers | High-end servers |
| Core count | 8, 6 or 4 | 8 or 6 | 16, 12 or 8 |
| Socket | AM3+ | C32 | G34 |
| Supported CPU configurations | Single CPU | Up to dual CPU | Up to quad CPU |
Lets start with a brief on Bulldozer. It’s AMD’s first new micro-architecture since K10 (if we ignore Bobcat), which was released in late 2007, and frankly it’s long overdue. It will be manufactured using GlobalFoundries’ 32nm SOI, just like Llano. Some of the architectural changes are covered here, so lets not get into that.
The regular desktop CPUs are codenamed Zambezi and will feature up to eight cores. They will use the AM3+ socket and some AM3 boards will also support the new Zambezi CPUs after a BIOS update. These CPUs will not feature an integrated GPU (unlike Llano and Ontario/Zacate) and will support up to 1866MHz DDR3 in dual-channel configuration.
Bulldozer actually gets more interesting when talking about the server parts, Opterons. For low-end and power efficient servers, AMD will offer CPUs codenamed Valencia. Specification wise these CPUs are pretty similar to Zambezi, with 8-core and 6-core variants. The memory support is also dual-channel just like in Zambezi but will be limited to 1600MHz. Valencia will be released under the Opteron 4200 Series brand and will support single- and dual-CPU configurations. It will aslo be compatible with AMD's current San Marino and Adelaide platforms (Opteron 4000 Series) for socket C32.
For high-end servers, AMD’s answer is Interlagos. It will feature up to 16 cores which is achieved by combining two 8-core dies into one package, similar to AMD’s current 12-core Magny Cours. There will also be 12-core and 8-core variants. Interlagos has up to four Hyper-Transport 3.0 links, meaning that quad-CPU configurations are supported. Apparently, there will also be CPUs with only two links, aimed at dual-CPU configurations. Memory support will be quad-channel 1600MHz DDR3, just like Intel’s Sandy Bridge-E (although we don’t know the speed of DDR3 that SB-E supports). Interlagos will be branded as the Opteron 6200 Series and will retain support for Maranello platform (Opteron 6000 Series) which utilizes socket G34.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
59 Comments
View All Comments
stmok - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
Komodo is a CPU that replaces Zambezi. It does not have DX11 IGP. So that should be a "No" in that category. It is not an APU.In the "Socket" category, both Trinity and Komodo will use some form of Socket FM infrastructure. AMD currently refers them as Socket FMx (where x = 1, 2, 3, etc). It doesn't mean that both will use the same socket.
See a thread I've created at Overclockers.com.au forums regarding AMD's 2012 lines.
=> http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t...
(I've collected a good number of official and leaked presentation slides.)
jjj - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
Also about Komodo, it has 10 cores not 8.Kristian Vättö - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
All leaked slides suggest 8 cores. If you have something to proof the 10 cores, then please share it with us..TimCh - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
Here you gohttp://blogs.amd.com/fusion/2010/11/09/simply-put-...
No need for leaks.
stmok - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
The slide you point to is November 9th 2010 for AMD Financial Analyst Day.The slide in the thread I've created is dated January 2011 for CES 2011.
Your info regarding 10-cores is out of date. Its 8-cores for Komodo.
inf64 - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
No,look closely in the slide. There is a Correction at the bottom.It says:
Correction,MArch 8,2011
So they corrected the IGP error in Komodo and corrected the core count number.Now it is 6-10 enhanced/NG Bulldozer cores.
So yes,Komodo will feature up to 10 Bulldozer+ cores.
mino - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
In other words, Komodo is the C2012 part for desktops.However there is one issue - Komodo will go for AM3+ OR FM1, it is VERY unlikely AMD would go for another socket in 2012.
And since there is no PCIe in AM3+ while also no IGP on FM1 chip ... it is more likely they go for FM1 with Komodo actually having Display controller but not having a GPU - the same as some embedded Brazos parts today.
Last (sensible) option is for AMD to go FM1 with the same setup as Lynnfield.
Topweasel - Thursday, July 21, 2011 - link
Nothing you said in this makes sense. AM3+ has PCIe, There isn't an IGP on the chipset for FM1 because no CPU in that socket would be missing it, and Brazos has a barely capable IGP, (40SP unit?) but it isn't just some 2d display controller.Kristian Vättö - Saturday, July 16, 2011 - link
I have updated the article to be up-to-date with the slide you provided.Kristian Vättö - Friday, July 15, 2011 - link
Even the link you provided suggests that Komodo will feature a DX11 capable IGP. Note that it says GPU for Komodo but nothing for Zambezi.