A couple of weeks after Intel unveiled the six-cored i7-880X Extreme Edition processor, a few leaks details specs for AMD’s upcoming hexa-cored consumer CPUs. Codenamed Thuban, the new chip is expected to be called the Phenom II X6, and will feature six cores on a 45nm die, 9MBs of total cache and will fit on motherboards with an AM3 socket. The specs (picked up from BIOS updates and CPU support lists released by Gigabyte) outline four X6 processor models that run from 2.6GHz and 2.8GHz, to a range-topping 3GHz. Expected to be named the Phenom II X6 1075T, the high-end model is still a bit short compared to Intel’s 3.33GHz Core i7, but we’re pretty sure this is going to be cheaper than Intel’s $999 i7-980X. Something to look forward to if you’re looking to build a six-core system on the (relatively) cheap.
Source: TechConnect
Intel has officially introduced what should be the brains behind tomorrow’s high-end gaming rigs called the Core i7-980X Extreme Edition. Intel’s first 32nm, six-core processor for consumer desktops, this new chip can handle 12 computing threads. It’s basically the fastest desktop processor on the planet—at least until they make a new one.
There’s a rumor going around that Intel might be releasing a new dual core Atom for netbooks soon. Now, a dual core Atom isn’t exactly new since the Pine Trail Atom platform did come with the dual core N510 for low-power desktops, but this would be the first dual core Pine Trail Atom for netbooks if the rumors prove to be true. It’ll reportedly be called the N500, which is a logical step down from the N510 desktop Atom chip, but should still result in a low-power, low-heat chip that offers relatively long battery runtimes. (more…)
An Intel blog post just announced that the company will be expanding their Atom line of processors, with the introduction of the N470. It’s still the same Pine Trail chip aimed at netbooks, although the new processor number comes with a faster 1.83GHz clock—a step up compared to the existing 1.66GHz N450. Aside from the faster core clock, everything is still pretty much the same, with a 512k L2 cache size, DDR2-667 support, and, more importantly, the same 5.5W TDP that promises extended battery runtimes. We should see new netbooks running the faster 1.86GHz chip within the next few months.
AMD has just released five new processors along their Phenom II and Athlon II lines, with a (pleasant) focus on more budget-friendly chips, highlighted by the Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition, touted as the fastest (or at least AMD’s fastest) dual-core processor with a 3.2GHz core frequency and a TDP (thermal design power) of only 80W—awesome on its own right, but the best part is it’s price: it’s listed to sell for only $99.
