K8l

[Kev367th]

Socket AM2 update -

Q1 2007 will see the release of the dual core K8L which is socket AM3, H1 of 2007 will see the quad core verison.

Good news -
Socket AM3 CPU (K8L) can be used on a Socket AM2 mobo. However an AM2 CPU cannot be used on a Socket AM3 mobo.
So if you currently have an AM2 mobo, a K8L upgrade will be possible.

K8L will support BOTH DDR2 and DDR3 memory.

So Q1 2007 will be the battle of Conroe v K8L , and hopefully for us consumers reasonable prices.

[Hajo]

Kev I hope so.  I know AMD has filed an unfair practices suit against Intel in Germany.  I don't know how this will turn out but there is good evidence of wrongdoing by Intel with German PC Manufacturers.

So.....hopefully it will benefit us.

[EagleDNY]

Go AMD.  I've been in the computer business a long time, and I noticed long ago how Intel prices always seemed to drop suddenly for a processor right when a competing AMD processor reached that performance level.  Funny how Intel always seemed to find that they could still make money on the CPU at half the cost.  Go figure.

We went AMD back in the K6-2 days and have never looked back.  As such we missed such Intel wonders as buggy chipsets, Rambus, overpriced CPUs, and missed delivery dates into the channel.

Price / Performance ratio is still with AMD.  If you hit the lotto and can afford Intels top $ CPU, you can beat AMD speed by a notch, but I don't think that it is worth it.

I'm quite happy with my Athlon64s thank you - you can get plenty of power for not a lot of $.  I'm not convinced that I need to spend the extra bucks on dual core CPUs yet either - there isn't a lot of multihreaded software that can actually do anywhing with a 2nd CPU unless you are running Windows Server.
Don't expect to switch to Vista anytime soon either - it'll be late coming, and my experience with Microsoft is that you don't want to touch any of their operating systems until at least the 3rd bugfix release (SP 2, SE).

EagleDNY
$.02

[Kev367th]

What I think is good -

Socket 939 - Originally single core, then also accepted dual core.
Socket AM2 - Accepts AM2 dual core, will also accept forthcoming dual and quad core AM3 ( K8L).

Thats a pretty good upgrade path only having to buy a CPU to get a nice performance increase.

4x4 (Torrenza) will be K8L and AM2 comaptible. Just wish I had the cash to splash out on 2 x quad core K8L's when they arrive.

Something to remember about multi threading - It is rumoured that AMD will finally release reverse hyperthreading for AM2 and above end of this month. (Maybe also for rev g core X2's)
Thats means all available cores working as a psuedo single core so even single threaded games should see an increase.

[Hajo]

Kev thanks for answering questions earlier today in the MA.  I just upgraded to the system in my signature about 4 weeks ago and noticed prices on dual cores falling dramatically.  I am going to follow your advice and wait until next year....probably late when the new line of CPUs from AMD are introduced and the prices start to fall somewhat.

Goooooooooo AMD.  No better gaming cpu on the market.  Benchmarking my CPU using SiSoft  Sandra has shown me that AMD outperforms Intel CPUs in many areas even when the Intel is running  from 800 to 1.2hz faster.

[Brenjen]

I'm willing to bet conroe is going to be half the monster they say it is; real world use will show that the lead is not nearly as great over the current AMD offerings & the K8L is probably going to put AMD back out front for 3 or 4 more years (I hope)

 netburst - bah

[Kev367th]

Originally posted by Hajo
Kev thanks for answering questions earlier today in the MA.  I just upgraded to the system in my signature about 4 weeks ago and noticed prices on dual cores falling dramatically.  I am going to follow your advice and wait until next year....probably late when the new line of CPUs from AMD are introduced and the prices start to fall somewhat.

Goooooooooo AMD.  No better gaming cpu on the market.  Benchmarking my CPU using SiSoft  Sandra has shown me that AMD outperforms Intel CPUs in many areas even when the Intel is running  from 800 to 1.2hz faster.

Your welcome.

Brenjen - Even if you allow for engineering samples etc Conroe is still going to beat AMD's current best, only just not by as much.

K8L has all the potential to eat Conore for lunch, big question is going to be - how much will it cost.

Add to that "torrenza" which will be available later this year, so you can have 2 x dual core CPU's, or when the K8L arrives 2 x quad core CPU's on one mobo, without the need for expensive error checking memory.

Future looks bright for upgrades no matter which way you go, just not a real good time right now.

[acetnt367th]

folks,

new reports on da internet suggesting reverse ht rumours not true, also that k8l delayed to 2008. lf true this will mean that intel will rule the roost for a long time

[Kev367th]

Originally posted by acetnt367th
folks,

new reports on da internet suggesting reverse ht rumours not true, also that k8l delayed to 2008. lf true this will mean that intel will rule the roost for a long time

reverse HT - possible
K8L - show me

[Brenjen]

Originally posted by Kev367th
Brenjen - Even if you allow for engineering samples etc Conroe is still going to beat AMD's current best, only just not by as much.

 That's the key; current.  Close to 4 years & they can only just beat current AMD technology (4 year old technology) If conroe is the best they can do after that long AMD has nothing to sweat about IMO. I'm not sure what you thought I meant but maybe that was clearer.

 BTW, some tests show certain current production opterons beating the conroe in some tasks. Intel is far from being a shoe in for top dog from where I look at it.

[Kev367th]

In reality it doesn't matter whether Conroe beats the old K8 by a little or a lot, it will still draw people to it in-place of AMD.

'IF' that one unsubstantiated article is right and the K8L is delayed until 2008, then even X2's with the rev g core may have problems keeping up.

Rev G (65nm) due out later this year for the socket AM2 X2 and is supposed to inlcude many ehnancements.
 
Will make my choice easier start 2007 -
a) Conroe
b) Torrenza with 2 x dual core CPU's

Only way Torrenza is going to sell is if they enable the coherent link on CPU's other than the FX series.
Its redeeming feature is that it will be compatible with the K8Ls (as will all AM2 mobos).

Whereas Intel has a nasty habit of requiring new mobos (diff socket) along with the CPU for the next generation.

[acetnt367th]

Hi Kev,

The way these rumours fly back and forth is unbelievable but it is what makes it so interesting this battle between AMD and Intel. New reports (today) say it is on schedule (http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32948). The last reports were from some motherboard manufacturers. I have purchased AMD for a long time so, while not a die hard supporter, can say that I liked AMDs recent price/performance cpus. I will probably buy another machine next year so for me not really an issue.


Acetnt

[Kev367th]

Yup, thats always been the problem with AMD they keep things pretty much under wraps.

What the other article 'may' have been referring to is the K8L with DDR3  support and a major core overhaul on socket AM3, that is slated for release Q1 2008 I believe.

Only difference I have heard - Dual core AM2 K8L's come out Q1 2007 before quad core ones Q2 2007.

2007 going to be a good year.

Just hoping AMD does the sensible thing and enable the coherent link pin on lower end AM2's, so you are not forced into buying FX-62s for Torrenza.

[Skuzzy]

FYI, AMD announced the K8L will not be available until early 2008.  No longer unsubstantiated.  That is going to hurt them.

[Hajo]

Skuzzy  thanks...I can wait until first quarter 2008.

This machine should do just fine until that time.