Date: 02/06/2009

AMD launches six-core Opteron server processor chip

AMD has unveiled its new six-core Opteron processor code named Istanbul. With this launch, AMD is slightly ahead of Intel in launching server processor of this scale. This six-core server processor comes with direct connect architecture for two-, four- and eight-socket servers.

AMD said the OEMs such as Cray, Dell, HP, IBM and Sun Microsystems are expected to launch servers built with this processor in this month of June 2009. HE, SE and EE versions of the Six-Core AMD Opteron processor are scheduled for the second half of 2009.

This new processor adapts to existing platform infrastructure ensuring easy and economical upgradeable from older versions of Opteron. This processing power-horse now supports DDR-2 memory architecture. Cloud computing, virtualization and such latest computing concepts are well handled by this 45nm processor. Using internal high-speed HyperTransport bus, which reduces processor-to-processor latency and traffic; enhances the core-to-core communication.

AMD claims, Istanbul has up to 34 percent more performance-per-watt over the previous generation quad-core processors in the exact same platform.

"Based on close collaboration with our customers, we believe there is a clear value shift changing the economics of the server market," said Patrick Patla, vice president and general manager, Server and Workstation Business, AMD. "The new Six-Core AMD Opteron processor meets the increasing need for a combination of low total cost of ownership, superior performance-per-watt and scalability. Simply put, Six-Core AMD Opteron processors deliver top-line performance that's bottom-line efficient."

With the launch of this energy efficient six-core processor, AMD is taking an advantage position in comparison to Intel in regaining some of its lost market share in server processor market.