Advanced Micro Devices on Monday unveiled several new six-core AMD Opteron microprocessors that either deliver higher performance compared to previously available models or are more efficient in terms of power consumption. The new models will enable AMD’s partners to create higher-performance or higher-efficiency servers based on six-core central processing units (CPUs).

“These new lower power six-core AMD Opteron processors feature the highest performance-per-watt that we have brought to market, and help drive down power consumption while addressing the shifting cloud and Web landscape of today’s datacenter. And with six cores of compute power and Direct Connect Architecture, these processors deliver no-compromise performance,” said Patrick Patla, vice president and general manager of server business at AMD.

There were five new six-core AMD Opteron processors unveiled on Monday: three “highly efficient” chips with 55W power consumption – model 8425 HE (2.10GHz) for 4-socket or more advanced servers as well as models 2425 HE (2.10GHz) and 2423 HE (2.0GHz) aimed at 2-socket systems – as well as two “special edition” processors with 105W power consumption – models 8439 SE and 2439 SE clocked at 2.80GHz and designer for multi-processor and dual-processor systems, respectively.

Sunnyvale, California-based AMD also said during a briefing regarding the new chips that later this quarter the company would initiate shipments of six-core AMD Opteron EE processors with 40W power consumption.

Even though Advanced Micro Devices released 2.80GHz six-core chips today, the firm still does not have immediate plans to promote such CPUs on the workstation market. Gina Longoria, senior product manager of server and workstation products at AMD said that workstation customers were more interested in maximum clock-speed, not the maximum number of processing engines. Still, it is logical to assume that it is a matter of time before AMD introduces its six-core chips on the workstation market.

The 55W ACP Six-Core AMD Opteron HE processors are currently shipping for 2-, 4- and 8-P systems and available today in new systems from HP, addressing the needs of dynamic, performance hungry and power constrained data centers. Systems from additional OEMs are expected to come to market throughout Q3 2009.

AMD Opteron 8439 SE and 2439 SE chips are priced at $2649 and $1019 in business quantities, respectively, whereas AMD Opteron 8425 HE, 2425 HE and 2423 HE cost $1514, $523 and $455 in volumes, respectively.

Tags: AMD, Opteron, Istanbul, 45nm, HP, IBM