AMD Unveils Future Plans

AMD has released a bunch of announcements concerning the future direction of its AMD64 platform. The announcements include details of next-generation microprocessor architecture in the server, desktop and mobile platforms covering both hardware and software. AMD’s new enthusiast platform codenamed “4x4” is for prosumers who want high performing PCs for entertainment. Project 4x4 is designed for smooth multi-tasking performance across gaming, digital video, processor-intensive and heavily-threaded applications. The 4x4 platform features a four-core, multi-socket processor configuration and will also be designed to be upgraded to eight total processor cores when AMD launches quad-core processors in 2007. The next generation processors will be built using AMD’s 65nm process, for which their factory in Dresden is being prepped. The new chip includes the capability to dynamically alter the frequency of each core on a chip to match application workloads. AMD’s new mobile chip design is planned for the second half of 2007, and, according to AMD, includes key architectural advancements for increased power efficiency and battery life in mobile platforms which is increasingly become a concern as chips get more powerful and batter life gets shorter. One drastic improvement that has been developed is that the CPU is allowed to dynamically power one or both cores on or off, and subsequently throttle the chip’s HyperTransport technology bandwidth depending on the notebook’s battery status.