X-bit labs

AMD Denies Any Problems with “Puma” as Analyst Predicts Issues with AMD’s Next-Generation Mobile Platform.

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 02/13/2008 | 09:15 PM ]

The launch of quad-core microprocessors by Advanced Micro Devices was not an easy one, but there could be more thorns on the path to the stars: an analyst believes that AMD’s next-generation mobile platform code-named Puma will also have certain problems with its launch. But AMD is sure: nothing negative will happen as Puma has no design flaws AMD is aware of.

AMD’s Puma mobile platform will be based on AMD’s code-named Griffin processor, AMD M780 or AMD M780G mobile chipsets, which support PCI Express 2.0 bus, HyperTransport 3.0 bus, flash-cache for boosting hard drive performance and comes with or without built-in DirectX 10-compliant ATI Radeon graphics core that also features hardware-assisted decoding of high-definition content from Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Besides, notebooks based on the Puma platform may be equipped with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000-series discrete graphics processors as well as 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless network controller as well as 3G option.

“Our channel checks suggest AMD’s Puma platform for notebooks may have a technical glitch. […] We believe the mere potential for a problem with Puma, even if a fix is in the works and the platform is scheduled for an ‘on-time’ launch, will likely have an impact on initial volumes for the [refresh of the notebook product line for the spring],” Doug Freedman, an analyst with American Technology Research, wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday, according to various media reports.

Mr. Freedman did not specify what kind of problems AMD’s code-named mobile platform Puma may or may not have.

It is necessary to note that AMD’s code-named Griffin microprocessor is immune to the notorious TLB-bug with AMD Phenom chips due to the fact that Griffin central processing unit is based on the K8/K9 micro-architecture with many tweaks made to HyperTransport controller, DDR2 memory controller as well as with aggressive tuning to save as much energy as possible. The chip will be made using proven 65nm process technology.

Officials from Advanced Micro Devices indicated that the company was “not aware” of any technical issues with Puma notebook platform, and that the new platform was on track to launch in the Q2 2008.

“We remain on track for AMD’s commitments from AMD’s financial analyst day and we are looking forward to a record number of notebook platform offerings from all key OEM customers in Q2,” AMD’s spokesperson Suzy Pruitt is reported to have said.