AMD (my favourite processor manufacturer) announced its line of Phenom processors for desktops, which includes quad-core models, which is based on the "Barcelona" quad-core Opteron server chip technology. AMD Phenom X2 and X4 processors will offer true quad- and dual-core and boasts integrated DDR2 memory controller, HyperTransport technology links, and 128-bit Floating Point Units.

According to AMD, its Phenom quad-core processor cores communicate on the die, rather than through an external front-side bus that joins two dual-core systems. In other words, AMD says 'our quad-core is better than the Intel's one'.

Phenom will be available during the second half of this year.

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Intel users eat your heart out. AMD rocks!

Really exciting news! Even more that the two major CPU manafacturers support Opensource(hopefully none of this CPU's new features will be window only)


Extreme Coder

I'm an intel fan boy, but I always welcome competition, because it'll just drop the prices ^_^

I feel that saying one processor manufacturer makes better processors than another is a very incorrect statement. They all have strengths and weaknesses, saying AMD is better than Intel or vice versa is like saying one linux distro is better than another.

Hopefully AMD can get back on their feet after Core 2. From the preliminary benchmarks I've seen, it's looking good

I seem to keep switching from AMD to Intel to AMD.
65C02 -> 386SX -> PPC -> pentium -> pentium 3 -> athlonxp -> athlon64 -> pentiumd -> athlonx2 -> core2duo -----> phenom?

here's to hoping ibm does something to make amd drop prices on these shortly after launch *crosses fingers*

I think they will, but only through more die-hard technical people. Intel released their half-assed, half-way-there version quickly so that they could gobble up sales more quickly but with older technology involved. AMD will bring the true quad-core innovation this year. Intel also has one on the way but I think it won't make it in until next year.

I plan to get a new computer (possibly even a laptop) next year. All AMD, of course! I am waiting for quad-core at least.

I've always heard AMD's performance was much better than Intel, and I don't mind getting it for the next desktop here, but how's its support for Linux?
If they're anything like ATI( or even nVidia), then it's going to be hard. Intel is one of the best supporters of Linux, they release open drivers for all their gfx cards and most(if not all) of their wireless cards.


Extreme Coder

Bullocks. AMD uses a RISC architecture, which makes the processors perform far better than CISC--what Intel uses--especially on non-M$ systems.

That's wierd, because all benchmark comparisons I saw pointed otherwise...

AMD WINS DUAL-CORE DUEL


AMD vs. Intel: 64-bit Windows Dual-Core Shootout
AMD processor outpaces the Intel CPU


CNET prizefight: The Winner is...

AMD

It wasn't even close.


ZDNet: AMD desktop chips edge ahead of Intel
AMD's top-end desktop processors are faster than Intel's


Duel of the Titans: Opteron vs. Xeon
Opteron the Great

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Multi-Core Processors for Servers and Workstations
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Benchmarks to me are subjective and linear. All I care about is if it performs well to me and satisfies me in every way. Thats what you end up being like when you choose the smaller side of the competition. With proc prices at an all time low, its very easy to buy a relatively fast CPU and be content with it.

Regardless of the AMD/Intel debate, this is exciting news coming just at the time when I am putting together the standards for building my next desktop. And the timing is perfectly in line with my scheduled build. I have always been an advocate of AMD, having had excellent luck with their products and look forward to the new generation of motherboards and video cards, etc built around this new line of processors ...