TechSmec.com

AMD Announces 64-Bit X86 Multi-Core Processors

As expected AMD today introduced a broad portfolio of dual-core processors for desktop and notebooks.

At the second-anniversary celebration of the AMD Opteron processor, the company announced immediate availability of the Dual-Core AMD Opteron 800 Series processor for four- to eight-way servers. The 200 Series processors for two-way servers and workstations will be available in late May. The new processors deliver up to a 90 percent performance improvement for application servers over single-core AMD Opteron processors. For desktop PC users, AMD announced the new AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor brand that will enable true multi-tasking capabilities for richer computing experiences.

AMD’s key OEM customers, including Sun, HP and IBM, showcased dual-core platforms based on the non-disruptive AMD64 technology. Only AMD customers will have the ability to upgrade 90nm-ready server platforms with dual-core processors and continue running legacy 32-bit x86 applications as well as new 64-bit OS solutions.

“Just as AMD led the industry to pervasive 64-bit computing, AMD is now leading the industry to the performance and power benefits of multi-core processors,” said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager, Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group, AMD. “We have flawlessly executed manufacturing AMD64 processors, which is why today we are announcing the world’s only broad dual-core client and server processor line-up, well ahead of our announced schedule. Because our non-disruptive dual-core architecture is designed to fit in today’s existing infrastructure and provide leading-edge performance, enterprise customers can rapidly adopt AMD64 dual-core processors for servers and workstations today and for client platforms in June.”

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor will especially benefit prosumer and digital media enthusiasts, as well as those who run many software applications simultaneously. With its breakthrough performance on multithreaded applications, the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor will allow consumers and businesses to take digital content creation and multimedia experiences to a whole new level. PC users, who have been frustrated by staring at the hourglass icon when trying to work on multiple programs at once, can significantly increase performance with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor. For example, with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor, users can simultaneously burn a CD, check e-mail, edit a digital photo and run virus protection — all without slowing down their computer.

The Dual-Core AMD Opteron 800 Series will be available immediately and the Dual-Core AMD Opteron 200 Series will be available in late May. AMD expects systems from OEM partners based the Dual-Core AMD Opteron 800 Series to be available within 30 days and systems with the Dual-Core AMD Opteron 200 Series to be available in June.

Add comment April 21st, 2005

UK Court Orders ISPs to Name File Sharers

More bad news for file sharers today as the UK High Court has granted an order requiring five IPSs to disclose the identities of 33 more individuals alleged to have illegally distributed music files on P2P networks.

The individuals concerned had uploaded more than 72,000 music files to the internet.

The ISPs concerned now have a fortnight to give the BPI the identities of the filesharers which brings the number of people in the UK to face legal action for illegal filesharing up to 90. They will face claims for compensation and the legal costs in pursuing them.

BPI General Counsel Geoff Taylor said: “This court order should remind every user of a peer-to-peer filesharing service in Britain that they are not anonymous. These 33 people will now face paying thousands of pounds in compensation. We are continuing to collect evidence every day against people who are still uploading music illegally, despite all the warnings we have given. If you want to avoid the risk of court action, stop filesharing and buy music legally”.

Add comment April 21st, 2005

Sony and Toshiba In Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Talks

Are they talking or aren’t they? On one hand we hear reports that Sony is planning on backing Blu-ray to the hilt in an effort to drive HD-DVD out of the market - on another we hear encouraging noises from Sony about a truce and a potential compromise.

One thing is for sure, HD-DVD and in particular Toshiba, its major backer, have been quiet on the subject.

Now we’re seeing reports that Sony and Toshiba have been in ’secret’ talks to develop a compromise format and end the war.

“The two groups are in talks to jointly develop a new standard for next-generation DVDs to give the best benefit to consumers,” a Sony source said on Thursday. “Sony’s focus is and has always been to provide the best consumer experience. In the area of next-generation optical discs, we continue to be open to discussions with supporters of other formats consistent with this focus.”

If a compromise is reached there are two likely scenarios.

1) The combined format uses Blu-ray’s disc structure, but HD-DVD’s software. This would likely be Sony’s preferred solution.

2) The new disc uses HD-DVD’s structure, which is similar to standard DVDs, but uses Sony’s multi-layer recording technology. This is thought to be Toshiba’s favoured option.

The movie studios, who have allegedly already been briefed on progress, will be pleased to see a merging being discussed as it could potentially stop the spiraling production costs associated with supporting two formats.

Add comment April 21st, 2005