AMD announced three vendors attending Computex Taipei 2007 are unveiling their server platforms demonstrating the industry's first native x86 quad-core solution, Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors (Barcelona). Barcelona processors are expected to deliver up to 50-80% performance and performance-per-watt improvements on a broad range of server applications over similar current generation AMD Opteron processors. In addition, these quad-core processors are designed to be drop-in compatible (following a BIOS upgrade) with all existing AMD Opteron processor-based systems using low-power DDR2 memory, while also enabling new platform capabilities such as those being demonstrated at the show.
Platforms displayed from Supermicro and Uniwide, participants in the AMD Validated Server program, are designed to take advantage of a new feature in Barcelona processors called Dual Dynamic Power Management, which delivers power independently to the CPU and to the memory controller to enable even greater performance and better power management, noted AMD.
Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are based on AMD's Direct Connect Architecture and are designed to help customers leverage their existing systems powered by previous AMD Opteron processors, for transitions that do not require changes to server customers' power and cooling infrastructures, noted AMD. These systems should be seamlessly upgradeable to the upcoming Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors by simply upgrading the BIOS (as made available by the system supplier) and dropping in a new processor, as demonstrated by the Tyan platform on display. Both new and previous processors feature the same socket, can use the same chipsets and have the same thermal envelopes, highlighted AMD. In addition, customers may adopt new platforms that take advantage of Dual Dynamic Power Management. With Dual Dynamic Power Management, the integrated memory controller and CPU cores can be powered by different sources, creating opportunities for performance improvements and increased power savings, added AMD.
Article translated by Joseph Tsai and edited by Ricky Morris
