DailyTech - Opteron Hits 3.0GHz

Submit News

Hardware Opteron Hits 3.0GHz
Kristopher Kubicki (Blog) - March 30, 2006 1:53 PM

25 comment(s) - last by Fnoob.. on Apr 2 at 7:05 PM

The little Opteron is all grown up now

We just caught a glimpse at the newest AMD roadmap -- which was disappointedly void of K8L information other than some odd indicators that we will see technology demonstrations this year.

On the other hand, the roadmap does show off AMD's newest 3.0GHz Opteron 256 and 3.0GHz Opteron 856. Both new processors are Troy based CPUs with 1MB L2 cache and carrying the A5BL Revision E OPN.

AMD also added plans for two dual core 2.8GHz Opterons on the roadmap. The Opteron 290 and 890 will be the newest and perhaps last additions to the Socket 940 Opteron lineup. Both chips are based on the A6CD Socket E revisions.

Interestingly enough, AMD also just recently changed its internal packaging, which will show up on these new chips as well. Do not expect these Opterons to support DDR2; only the upcoming LGA Socket F Opterons from AMD will do that for multiprocessor servers.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

When?

By bozilla on 3/30/2006 2:07:50 PM , Rating: 2

So when is Opteron 290 suppose to come out in retail? I was planning on getting a pair of 285s, but this looks more promising especially knowing that 290s would be the last for some time to come.

The supply of 285s is very slim as far as I can see around the web, I can't imagine 290s showing up a lot.

If the wait is going to be a 2-3 months then I can wait on upgrading, but this way I don't know.

RE: When?

By phaxmohdem on 3/30/2006 2:09:10 PM , Rating: 2

You stole my post :) Also wondering when these 3.0GHz & 2.8GHz Dual Core wonders will hit the streets.

Parent

RE: When?

By bozilla on 3/30/2006 2:39:39 PM , Rating: 2

I've just gotten some uncofirmed info.

256s are set for late april.

Parent

RE: When?

By davegraham on 3/30/2006 3:30:12 PM , Rating: 3

lol...

the 285s i've got work at 3ghz already. have 3 of them. CCB1E 0550 VPAW. excellent stuff.

290s will be available later in the year. there's no way AMD is going to cannibalize their 285 sales for a chip that'll cost 1500 on introduction.

dave

Parent

RE: When?

By Fnoob on 3/30/2006 9:16:10 PM , Rating: 2

What board were you considering for the dual 285's? I was considering the TYAN SLI rig. But when I price it all out its just ugly. Im running the old TigerMPX with 1600MP's. Anyone wanna talk me out of just upgrading to 2800's and a 7800GS AGP for a few hundred? Four cores would be sweet tho, for about $3500 more.

Parent

RE: When?

By Fnoob on 4/2/2006 7:05:31 PM , Rating: 2

Any comment on the best dual Opteron motherboard currently available?

Parent

Interesting

By shaw on 3/30/2006 6:59:39 PM , Rating: 2

I wonder how well the Troy core is as an overclocker.

RE: Interesting

By Viditor on 3/30/2006 9:32:13 PM , Rating: 2

Why would you overclock a 940 pin Opteron?

Parent

RE: Interesting

By shaw on 3/31/2006 6:08:33 PM , Rating: 2

I keep forgetting Opteron is origionally S940! D'oh!

Parent

No big deal...

By haelduksf on 3/30/2006 2:13:53 PM , Rating: 2

I've had a 3GHz Opteron for the last six months :D

RE: No big deal...

By covertbit on 3/30/2006 2:27:48 PM , Rating: 3

Yes, but your taps out at 3GHz, I am sure this will do 3GHz at your default clock and low idle temps and have some headroom for a higher overclock.

Parent

what's after 95?

By Visual on 3/31/2006 4:49:09 AM , Rating: 2

i wanna know where will AMD go with its naming scheme after the next speed bump?

RE: what's after 95?

By Fnoob on 3/31/2006 7:34:12 AM , Rating: 2

Hopefully something so cryptic and confusing that Intels response is just bewildering and comical.... Seriously, how hard is the average consumer going to research the available products just to figure out what the hell they are / compatible with/ etc. The situation with RAM, for another example, is just as nutty.

Parent

Troy is not a Dual Core chip

By themelon on 3/30/2006 1:58:09 PM , Rating: 2

Troy based CPUs with 2x1MB L2

RE: Troy is not a Dual Core chip

By KristopherKubicki

(blog) on 3/30/06, Rating: 0

they will run hot.

By hans007 on 3/30/2006 11:01:04 PM , Rating: 2

the special 2.8 ghz opterons that sun got for a few servers already had a 130watt tdp. they were basically normal 2.6ghz ones that were over volted on the old stepping.

witht his new stepping i still would not be surprised if they had the 130 tdp which is getting up there in heat. the fx60 and fx62 i think are in the 130 watt range as well.

Latest update

By bozilla on 3/31/2006 5:09:02 AM , Rating: 2

It seems that next week AMD is introducing the new 2.8Ghz 290 Opterons.

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2 006/03/30/amd_pr...

Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By DallasTexas on 3/30/06, Rating: -1

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By osalcido on 3/30/06, Rating: -1

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By Discord on 3/30/06, Rating: 0

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By covertbit on 3/30/2006 5:56:22 PM , Rating: 2

I dont see where you can say that these processors will run hot. As far as I knew the higher end opteron's always ran on the cooler side, especially against comprable Intel chipsets.

Parent

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By Fnoob on 3/30/2006 9:19:33 PM , Rating: 2

You're historically right, but that seems to be changing. Look at the new spec sheets- the thermal numbers are getting nutty. Intels are coming down as AMD's are climbing.

Parent

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By Viditor on 3/30/2006 9:34:01 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Intels are coming down as AMD's are climbing

Because Intel has already gone to 65nm, and AMD doesn't start volume production of 65nm till Q3 this year.
Even so, the highest end Opteron will run cooler than the lowest end Netburst part...

Parent

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By Samus on 3/31/2006 4:33:40 AM , Rating: 2

That'd be great if netburst parts still existed. I'm pretty sure Intel is done with the P4.

I doubt they'll even be produced by the end of the year.

Parent

RE: Good to see Mhz is now a good thing.

By Darth Farter on 3/31/2006 10:06:00 AM , Rating: 2

pentium 9xx series is still netburst. and btw opteron is positioned against intel's server class processors... so think Xeon etc wich are of course also netburst until woodcrest in Q4 if I'm not mistaken.

Parent