Archived news: July 2011 - September 2011

Earlier this week Intel quietly launched two Cedar Trail processors with CedarView-D core for ULV desktops and nettops. Atom D2500 and D2700, both dual-core models, emerged in official price list, and they were added to ARK Intel product database. Intel also released datasheet and S-spec update for these Atoms. In addition to D2500 and D2700, the datasheet and S-spec update documents reference two "CedarView-M" N2600 and N2800 CPUs for mobile market.   [Full story]

Several consumer processors, based on upcoming Bulldozer microarchitecture, are coming in the 4th quarter 2011. The microprocessors from FX-Series will be aimed at computer enthusiast market, and will feature 4, 6 or 8 cores, and unlocked clock multiplier. Rumored official prices for three of these models, FX-6100, FX-8120 and FX-8150, were published last week, and they range from $175 to $245.   [Full story]

As you may already know, new generation of AMD high-performance microprocessors will be based on not yet released Bulldozer micro-architecture. In the 4th quarter 2011 AMD is going to introduce consumer FX CPUs with Zambezi core, and Interlagos-based products, branded as Opteron 6200, for server market. At this time we know full line-up of upcoming FX-series consumer processors, and their specifications. Details on specific Opteron 6200 models are more sketchy.   [Full story]

Fudzilla reported today that large number of AMD CPUs, built on 45nm process, will be end-of-lifed in this quarter. This affects many Athlon II X2, X3, X4, Phenom II X2, X4, X6 and Sempron processors. AMD already stopped orders for some models, while the rest of the processors can still be ordered until the end of this quarter.   [Full story]

Next generation Atom platform, codenamed Cedar Trail, is here. Major of new feature of new platform is a switch from 45nm to 32nm technology, which should result in lower power consumption, and allow new Atoms to reach higher clock frequencies. Other advantages of new Atom chips include improved on-chip graphics, supposedly supporting DirectX 10.1, support for HDMI and embedded DisplayPort, on-chip decoding of various HD video formats, and faster memory access.   [Full story]

Two weeks ago, an update of MDDS database on Intel website revealed upcoming Core i7-2700K microprocessor. At the time, we knew only box part numbers, and S-spec and processor numbers of the new chip. Last week, processor frequency was confirmed by updated CPU support list on Biostar website. Earlier this week, more details on this processor were published by VR-Zone and Fudzilla news sites.   [Full story]

This quarter AMD is going to launch server-class "Interlagos" and consumer-class "Zambezi" processors, based on new Bulldozer micro-architecture. In the past two weeks three "Zambezi" FX-Series CPUs surfaced for pre-order at a few online US stores, suggesting imminent release of these models. Yesterday Donanimhaber reported that AMD FX-Series family will launch on October 12.   [Full story]

I recently made a couple of changes to pages, that list all microprocessors for a family or a group of families. The filters on these pages can be used now to filter processors based on their support for AES and AVX instructions, and based on whether their clock multiplier is locked or not. Here is how it looks on Core i5 Mobile family page (look at "Socket BGA1023 Socket BGA1288 ..." filters). The second change is less visible, but it should improve accuracy of information in the previous / related / next generation tables on CPU families pages. Some information in those tables will now automatically updated.

In July we published details of three new Xeon E5 models for single-processor servers and workstations. New Xeon E5s, coming in the 4th quarter 2011, will be based on upcoming Sandy Bridge-EP core, and their specifications will be almost identical to consumer Core i7-3xxx chips with Sandy Bridge-E core. Core i7-3xxx microprocessors will be priced from $294 to $999, and it's not a surprise that the prices of Xeon E5-16xx products will be close to prices of consumer Core i7s.   [Full story]

Our CPU chart database now includes data for AES and AVX instructions. I added "AES" and "AVX" checkboxes to the "Features" section of the main CPU Chart page, so that data can be filtered based on the presence of these features. CPU comparison pages were modified to show support for AES and AVX instructions, as well as to display, whether the CPU has an unlocked clock multiplier or not. The last feature, unlocked multiplier, is now also displayed on the "Release dates of desktop/mobile/etc microprocessors" pages.

Earlier this week, in a press release, titled "AMD Showcases World’s Fastest CPU", AMD announced new overclocking world record. Not yet released FX-8150 processor with 6 disabled cores was overclocked to staggering 8.429 GHz by a team of overclocking specialists working together with AMD engineers. It's definitely an impressive result, and a great marketing stunt.   [Full story]

In July we published a story with details on first four models from upcoming Opteron 6200 family. Since then new Opteron 6274 chip was spotted on SETI@home website. We also found Opteron 6282SE processor and several benchmarks in a benchmark database on SiSoftware website. Even better, the website also contains a few benchmarks for Opteron 6220 and 6272 CPUs.   [Full story]

At the end of August we published information on 17 upcoming microprocessors from Xeon E5-2600 series, aimed at server market. One of these processors, Xeon E5-2620, will be also offered for embedded applications. In addition to E5-2620, Intel is going to release two chips, E5-2648L and E5-2658, specifically for embedded market.   [Full story]

Earlier this week AMD announced shipping of server class microprocessors, based on upcoming "Bulldozer" core. The announcement indicated that the processors will be available next quarter. The server chips were, apparently, delayed as they were expected to launch a quarter earlier. According to Xbit laboratories, high-performance FX-Series chips for consumer market were also delayed, and they will be shipped in the fourth quarter.   [Full story]

Second-generation Core i7 microprocessors were introduced in January of this year, and up to this time there were no other Core i7 models launched. The line-up of Core i7 products with Sandy Bridge core currently consists of three CPUs: mainstream Core i7-2600, unlocked Core i7-2600K for computer enthusiasts, and mid-power i7-2600S. Intel today added box part numbers BX80623I72700K and BXC80623I72700K to Material Declaration Data Sheets (MDDS) database. These box numbers relate to Core i7-2700K processor number.   [Full story]

Yesterday AMD announced shipments of the first Opteron 6200 microprocessors, based on upcoming "Bulldozer" microarchitecture. Production of these Opterons started in August, and they are expected to launch in the 4th quarter 2011. AMD Opteron 6200 processors feature up to 16 CPU cores, up to 16 MB of on-chip L3 cache, 4 memory channels, and 4 HyperTransport links.   [Full story]

Earlier this week Intel introduced 16 Sandy Bridge microprocessors for desktop and mobile markets, including three desktop Pentium models. Browsing specifications of newly added Pentiums in Intel ark database (ark.intel.com), we discovered that there was fourth Pentium CPU, launched this month. Pentium G632, that has identical specifications to G630, was not included in official pricelist, and it seems to be an OEM-only SKU.   [Full story]

This quarter AMD already launched five A-Series CPUs. AMD A6-3650 and A8-3850 quad-core models have been shipping for two months now. Three other microprocessors, or APUs, appeared in AMD pricelist and product specifications in the middle of August, and up to this week were almost impossible to find in retail. Two dual-core APUs, A4-3300 and A4-3400, were also expected to launch this quarter. Prices of these two processors were added today to official AMD pricelist.   [Full story]

Current generation of mobile AMD Accelerated Processing units (APUs) was launched in June of this year. The initial line-up was comprised of 8 dual- and quad-core microprocessors from E2- and A-Series, including 4 models with averaged maximum power 35 Watt. No additional models were released or announced (or sighted) since then. In August, Hewlett Packard updated "Maintenance and Service Guide" for HP Pavilion g7 line of notebooks, and added three new A-Series model numbers, A4-3320M, A6-3420M and A8-3520M.   [Full story]

One of the latest Product Change Notifications (PCN), published by Intel last week, discloses manufacturer's plans to discontinue three socket 775 Pentium microprocessors. Pentium E5800, E6700 and E6800 will be end-of-lifed in the 4th quarter of this year.   [Full story]

Last month we reported that in September Intel is going to cut prices of energy-efficient desktop microprocessors from second-generation Core i5 and i7 families. Expected price reductions were minor, $12 at most. Yesterday Intel launched 16 new desktop and mobile CPUs, and revised the prices of all mid- and low-power "S" and "T" processors.   [Full story]

Today Intel launched 11 desktop Sandy Bridge microprocessors for budget and mid-class desktop PCs. Prices and details of these chips appeared in official price list, that was updated today. In addition to desktop products, Intel also introduced 5 mobile processors, Celeron B840, and Core i7-2640M, i7-2760QM, i7-2860QM and i7-2960XM.   [Full story]

Over the course of past few months, we published a series of stories detailing Intel plans to release new desktop Celeron processors, and refresh existing Pentium and Core-branded families. Today Intel made public new pricelist, that confirms specifications and prices of all models, that we reported on before.   [Full story]

Less than a week remains for the next refresh of Intel mobile processor line-up. So far we confirmed release of Celeron B840 and 4 Core i7 models. There are also several additional CPUs in the "likely to launch" list, that includes Core i3-2350M, Core i5-2430M, i5-2435M, Core i7-2670QM and i7-2675QM. Today we came across yet another Intel mobile processor, that may be introduced this month. Not yet released Intel Pentium B960 was spotted in specifications of Acer Aspire 3750Z and HP Pavilion g6-1213tx notebooks.   [Full story]

As you may already know, later this quarter AMD is going to launch Bulldozer micro-architecture, that at first will be used in server Opteron 6200 CPUs, and desktop FX-Series microprocessors. Specifications of desktop FX-Series were known for more than a month, and they recently were confirmed by Gigabyte. As was discovered by VR-Zone, the latest CPU support list update for several Gigabyte socket AM3+ motherboards includes the details on all AMD FX-Series SKUs.   [Full story]

Yesterday Intel published Product Change Notification (PCN), notifying its customers of upcoming discontinuation of several mobile Celerons. End-of-Line date, or last order date, for mainstream Celeron 900, T3300 and P4500, as well as ultra low voltage 743, is February 29, 2012.   [Full story]

We were too hasty to assume in our June story that Sempron 130 could be "the last of the Sempron line". The brand will still be used for low budget socket FM1 processors, like Sempron 198, that don't have integrated GPU. Even more, AMD recently released another 45nm Sempron microprocessor with model number 190.   [Full story]

In the past month, we reported on several quad-core and dual-core mobile Intel microprocessors, planned to launch in September. We recently found two new Sandy Bridge mobile processors, that could be launched at the same time frame. Core i5-2435M and Core i7-2675QM were spotted on many chipset pages on Intel website.   [Full story]

This fall Intel planned to launch several Atom microprocessors from Cedar Trail platform. New features of this platform are 32nm manufacturing technology, and beefed up on-chip graphics unit. VR-Zone published today one slide with benchmarks of Cedar Trail processors, that gives a rough performance estimate of the new platform.   [Full story]

In July we disclosed details of Xeon E5-1600 family of server-class microprocessors, designed for one-way servers and high-performance workstations. Processors from this family are part of Romley-WS platform, which is coming in the next quarter. The CPUs are based on 32nm Sandy Bridge-EP core, and they utilize socket R (socket 2011). Also in the 4th quarter, Intel will launch Romley-EP dual-socket platform, consisting of 17 different E5-2600 models and C600-series chipset.   [Full story]

"Search on Ebay" links on CPU comparison pages, like Core i3-380m vs i3-2310m page, were modified to behave in the same way as on CPU pages. Clicking on the link now opens a dialog window, displaying up to two search links, and short descriptions for each link. Unlike "search on eBay" dialogs on CPU pages, the comparison pages do not include search by S-Spec number for Intel processors.

AMD desktop LLano platform currently consists of two desktop A6-3650 and A8-3850 quad-core processors, released in July 2011, and three A6- and A8-Series models, launched less than a week ago. Prices of these Accelerated Processing Unites (APUs) range from $89 for triple-core A6-3500 and up to $135 for A8-3850. This quarter, AMD is going to launch two supposedly cheaper microprocessors from A4-Series family.   [Full story]

I completed another change to back-end scripts, that update filters on CPU pages. Our previous change enabled automatic generation of filters for groups of families, and today's modification allows the scripts to generate filters on individual family pages, like Mobile Celeron Dual-Core. There is no way yet to filter by power level (standard, low, etc), and by certain features, such as "Unlocked", but those should be added in the course of this and next weeks.

AMD announced today three models for C-Series and E-Series lines of ultra-low power Accelerated Processing Units (APU). New processors, C-Series C-60, and E-Series E-300 and E-450, implement support for HDMI 1.4a, as well as add Turbo Core feature and support for DDR3-1333 memory on selected SKUs.   [Full story]

One of previous site updates was a change to back-end scripts to automatically generate "At A Glance" information. Another similar change was done this weekend, and this time it applies to filter values, displayed on pages with a group of families, like K10 page. In the past, I was adding and changing filter values manually, and from now on this process will be automated for majority of groups of families. Filter values on individual family pages are still updated manually.

Last month we published details on 4 new Core i7 mobile microprocessors, coming in September. One of these models, Core i7-2640M, will have two CPU cores, whereas three remaining Core i7s will have 4 cores. According to specifications of notebooks, spotted on ASUS, Dell and Fujitsu websites, there will be another quad-core mobile processor, Core i7-2670QM.   [Full story]

Last year we published Unlocking Athlon II / Phenom II cores and L3 cache story, that provided basic information about AMD processors with locked cores and/or L3 cache, and gave some tips on unlocking the cores. Since then there were a number of new models released, some of them with locked features. We updated the story with details on more recent CPUs, and we also added base core identification information.

Earlier this month, we reported on pre-order prices of several forthcoming AMD A-series and Athlon II X4 microprocessors, built on new 32nm Llano core. Based on these prices, we projected that the A6-3600 and A8-3800 APUs will cost the same as A6-3650 and A8-3850 models, or very close to them. We also estimated $90 - $100 price for triple-core A6-3500, and $80 - $90 range for the Athlon II X4 631. AMD today added these processors to official pricelist, and the prices are slightly better than we estimated.   [Full story]

Many CPU/FPU family pages on our site include "At a Glance" information blocks, that show the most important family characteristics, such as type, manufacturing technology, the number of cores, range of frequencies, and a couple of others. Up to this moment this information was updated manually. I often forget to update it when a new processor is released, and, as a result, some of these "At a Glance" sections had inaccurate data. The good news is that now I have a way of generating this data automatically. Some family pages were already updated with new data, and most of the remaining pages will be updated later this week. Once the page is updated to use automatically generated data, it will continue to be automatically updated, which will make these sections more accurate, and save me some time in the long run.

This fall, Intel plans to refresh desktop mid-class and budget families with seven new models. The new processors are Core i5-2320, Core i3-2130, i3-2125 and i3-2120T, and Pentium G860, G630 and G630T. Details of these CPUs, as well as prices for some of them, were known for months. In a related move, Intel is going to drop prices on selected Sandy Bridge SKUs.   [Full story]

Combined CPU chart now includes 'Data width (bits)' parameter for most of the chips in the chart. I also did some work on the backend scripts, which so far resulted in very minor data fixes, like going to certain manufacturer / family pages now gets you to correct page, rather than to overview page for the family.

In the forth quarter of this year Intel plans to introduce three high-performance models, based on new Sandy Bridge-E core. One of these chips, Core i7-3960X Extreme, is going to supersede Core i7-990X, while two others, unlocked Core i7-3930K and locked Core i7-3820, are positioned as a replacement for top Core i7 processors for sockets 1156 and 1366. Specifications of these CPUs were disclosed one month ago.   [Full story]

In June, we published a story about Intel "upgreadable" microprocessors. These CPUs have certain features locked, and for a nominal fee they can be re-enabled via software. Locked features could be higher frequency, larger cache size, or advanced technologies, such as Hyper-Threading. Three Sandy Bridge processors are known to support this functionality - desktop Pentium G622 and Core i3-2102 SKUs, upgreadable to G693 and i3-2153 respectively, and mobile Core i3-2312M, which can be unlocked to i3-2393M.   [Full story]

Last month we published a story with details on four Core i7 Sandy Bridge microprocessors, coming in the 4th quarter of this year. The processors are dual-core Core i7-2640M, and three quad-core models, Core i7-2960XM Extreme Edition, Core i7-2860QM and i7-2760QM. As we recently learned, the CPUs will be introduced in the second week of September.   [Full story]

Launched one month ago, AMD A-Series currently consists of two Accelerated Processing Units (APUs), A8-3850 and A6-3650. Both microprocessors have fixed core frequency, 2.9 GHz and 2.6 GHz respectively, and 100 Watt TDP. This quarter, AMD is going to introduce several additional A4-, A6- and A8-Series SKUs.   [Full story]

A few days ago, Intel published Product Change Notifications (PCN) documents, where it disclosed plans to discontinue several socket 1156 processors in 2012. Core i5-760, as well as two unlocked "K" models, Core i5-655K and Core i7-875K, will be available for order until February 24, 2012. Last week, Intel also announced discontinuation of a large number of embedded microprocessors.   [Full story]

I've made quite a few changes to the code, that powers up our processor benchmark database:

• By default, the database no longer displays special test cases (for example, disabled HyperThreading or Turbo features), as well as benchmark results for engineering samples or un-released processors. These results can be included if you check two separate options on the main benchmark database page.
• If you choose one family or socket on the main page, and then add it to selected CPUs / families box, then the Manufacturer, family and other fields will be reset (re-populated).
• Benchmark results page now provides short description for motherboards, video cards, and type and size of memory, that were used to test the CPUs. If results are displayed for more than one motherboard, RAM or video card, you will get an option to delete all CPUs, tested on specific board, or with specific RAM or video.
• Deleted CPU records can be undeleted. Deletion history is lost when you go to another test page.
• CPU details dialog, which you can get to if you click on the question mark next to the CPU name in the graph, now has links to pages with more details for the board and the CPU.
• In our previous update I added ability to display multiple results for the same model and part number, if they were acquired on different motherboards. This time I fixed the code not to remove all records for the same part number, when one of the records is removed. CPU selection for multiple records was also fixed.

Earlier this year AMD introduced Llano processors, manufactured on 32nm process, and based on enhanced "Stars" (K10) microarchitecture. First two AMD Llano microprocessors were launched more than a month ago, while several other APU models will be available later this quarter, and in the 4th quarter. Depending on incorporated features, all current and upcoming Llano models are branded as "A-Series" or "E2-Series".   [Full story]

This quarter AMD is going to launch three low-power "Bobcat" microprocessors for netbooks and ultra-thin notebooks. One of these chips, AMD E-300, is a dual-core APU with 1.3 GHz clock frequency and 1 MB L2 cache. Two other models, C-Series C-60 and E-Series E-450, are beefed up versions of C-50 and E-350 products, that are currently in production.   [Full story]

Last November AMD published server roadmap up to 2012. According to that roadmap, after current generation of "Interlagos" and "Valencia" processors the company plans to introduce "Terramar" and "Sepang" cores, built on 32nm technology. "Terramar" will be used in Opteron 6000-series products for single-, dual- and quad-processor servers, and it will have up to 20 cores and require socket G2012.   [Full story]

This year Intel already launched two lines of Xeon E-branded microprocessors, E3 for one-way servers, and E7 for multi-processor systems. In the 4th quarter of this year Intel will introduce yet another E-branded series, Xeon E5. The E5 line will be comprised of four families, E5-1600, E5-2400, E5-2600, and E5-4600.   [Full story]

In September, Intel plans to release new Sandy Bridge Celeron processors, as well as refresh budget and mid-class desktop processor families. In total, there will be 11 models: four Celerons, three Pentiums, three Core 3s, and one Core i5 SKU. Specifications of these microprocessors were known for quite some time. Prices for several Celeron and Core i3 chips were published by Fudzilla news site in June. Three days ago, VR-Zone revealed prices for other upcoming Celeron, Pentium and Core i3 CPUs.   [Full story]

Later this quarter, AMD will introduce two different product lines, based on soon to be released Bulldozer microarchitecture. AMD FX series will include a few unlocked microprocessors for consumer market. Opteron 6200 series, positioned for server market, will consist of a number of models with 8, 12 and 16 CPU cores. While there were several leaks with details of AMD FX parts, there was no information on Opteron 6200 models until now. This week, we were able to locate processor numbers and basic specs for several Opteron processors from 6200 series.   [Full story]

Earlier this week, Intel ARK database was updated with specifications of Celeron B710 and 827E processors, that show "launched" status for both models. We previously reported on these CPUs, and published their preliminary specs, as well as expected third quarter launch date. Both SKUs are single-core models with stripped-down version of integrated HD graphics controller.   [Full story]

Current generation of extreme consumer desktop platform, represented by Westmere Core i7-900X series microprocessors, is going to be replaced with three new Sandy Bridge models, supposedly by the end of this year. The new processors will be built on Sandy Bridge-E core, and will utilize new socket LGA2011. Basic specifications for these CPUs were known since mid of April. Yesterday, DonanimHaber published new details on forthcoming extreme processors, including turbo boost frequencies and processor numbers.   [Full story]

In March we reported on the fastest clocked x86 processor, manufactured by Intel. The microprocessor is Everest series Xeon X5698, that has 2 CPU cores, operating at impressive 4.4 GHz. Internally, the chip has 6 cores, but 4 of them are disabled.   [Full story]

At the end of June we reported on two new upcoming ultra-low voltage (ULV) Sandy Bridge microprocessors from Celeron family, single-core 787 and dual-core 857. Both processors were supposed to launch in the third quarter 2011.   [Full story]

In the past month, there were several leaks of Bulldozer benchmarks and related information. In June, a screenshot emerged with superPi test results of FX-8130P engineering sample, overclocked to 4.6 GHz. In July, many sites published SuperPi screenshots of the same CPU, overclocked to even more impressive 5.1 GHz. Both of these leaks were attributed to OBRovsky Blog. A few days ago Donanimhaber published alleged pictures and benchmarks of AMD FX-8130P engineering sample.   [Full story]

It's been quite a while since the introduction of the first Sandy Bridge mobile processors from Core i7 family in January of this year. Since then Intel launched Sandy Bridge CPUs from other families: Core i3s and i5s were introduced in February, the first mobile Celeron was available in March, and the first mobile Pentiums in June. Seeing that all mobile families already switched to the new micro-architecture, we can expect faster Sandy Bridge CPUs to launch in the second half of the year and in the 1st quarter 2012.   [Full story]

The last refresh of Athlon II and Phenom II families in May of this year included several speed-bump processors, and the most notable among them being the fastest AMD x86 chip, Phenom II X4 980. That socket AM3 line-up refresh didn't include a few SKUs, such as Athlon II 270 an 650, and Phenom II 850, that were expected to launch in the second quarter. Based on Athlon II and Phenom II product specifications, published on AMD website, we can conclude that these three microprocessors were launched.   [Full story]

Last Wednesday Intel issued four Product Change Notifications (PCNs), disclosing plans to discontinue several desktop and mobile microprocessors: Core i7-970, Core i7-660UM, Core i5-540UM and Mobile Celeron U3400. The last order date for these models is January 27, 2012.   [Full story]

"Search on eBay" links on many CPU pages on our site were changed to open a dialog window, which provides multiple options for searching on eBay. For more modern processors, it is now possible to search by manufacturer and model number. Intel processors and FPUs can be searched for production or QDF (Q-spec) numbers. We also left old option of searching by manufacturer and a part number, although it was enhanced to look for all tray and box part numbers, associated with the chip.

I added 4 links to websites of chip / chip memorabilia collectors - Chips Etc with extensive collection of chip memorabilia, Chip Museum, Collection of ex-USSR chips with large number of Soviet chips, and CPUMine, that has a number of rare engineering samples of vintage processors.

At the end of June, we published specifications of two upcoming Celeron 787 and 857 ultra-low voltage (ULV) microprocessors. One of these CPUs, dual-core Celeron 857, was launched last weekend. On Sunday, Intel added this model to official price list, and later in the week the CPU was also added to the ARK Intel database. There are no indications yet that another forthcoming ULV microprocessor, single-core Celeron 787, was released this week.   [Full story]

I'm leaving for 5-day vacation tomorrow, therefore there won't be any site updates or news stories posted until I get back. All submitted comments will be approved, and e-mails will be answered next Friday, July 8.

Unusual AMD Phenom II processor recently surfaced on eBay. About two weeks ago, one US seller listed 13 processors with unheard before HD650TWFK4FGR part number. The CPUs are offered for $85 per piece with free shipping within the US. From the part number, we can deduce that it's a Phenom-class desktop CPU with 650T model number.   [Full story]