X-bit labs

AMD Preps “4x4” Octa-Core for Enthusiasts.

Category: CPU

by Anton Shilov

[ 06/02/2006 | 09:03 AM ]

Advanced Micro Devices said Thursday it would offer a platform that would allow users to run two processors with four processing engines into desktop computers. This is generally the first time that computer enthusiasts can use two processors  on an appropriate platform and certainly the first time that the performance-demanding users can enjoy advantage of as many as eight processing cores.

“AMD announced plans for a new enthusiast platform codenamed ‘4x4’ that will extend AMD’s long-standing commitment to those consumers who demand the highest-performing PCs,” an AMD statement claimed.

The announcement means that AMD is planning to allow using enthusiast-class processors in 2-way configurations, something, which market leader Intel and AMD have been trying to avoid in the past. No Athlon on Pentium processors currently support technology that allows the chips to work in pairs.

AMD has already been rumored in regards of introduction of a desktop processor that contains four processing engines, however, this so far it has not been confirmed. Today the company says it would allow computer enthusiasts to use two dual-core processors to achieve ultimate performance in applications that take advantage of multi-core systems. Moreover, quad-core chips will also be able to work in pairs, it seems.

“The 4x4 platform features a four-core, multi-socket processor configuration uniquely possible via AMD’s direct connect architecture,” the statement reads.

Additionally, AMD said it would develop microprocessors featuring four processing engines for performance-minded enthusiasts.

“The 4x4 platform will be designed to be upgraded to eight total processor cores when AMD launches quad-core processors in 2007. Project 4x4 represents system-level enthusiast enhancements and is designed for ultimate multi-tasking performance across gaming, digital video, processor-intensive and heavily threaded applications,” the firm said.