So what is AMD doing?

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: harpoon84

Nice to see you back Viditor, I noticed you went AWOL for a while. 😉

Thanks, mate...
Since Dec 1, I've been busier than a one-legged man in an a$$-kicking contest!
In fact I'm off to Singapore next week as well...sigh...

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Originally posted by: Greenman
It's a pity really. I watched AMD go from a low end intel clone, to a market leader, then to an "also ran".

Are you forgetting CPUs like the 386-DX40 (Intel topped out at 33MHz), 486-DX4-120, etc.?

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: IntelUser2000

I believe that Integer should be very close to C2D, mainly because of the OoO loads...
It's almost identical to Intel's "Memory Disambiguation". One caveat though...for the rare software setups that can actually perform 4 ops/clock, C2D will easily win on integer. However, I haven't even seen a software setup that can do better than 3 ops/clock (usually 2.5).

It'll be much closer than now for sure, but from what goes around, Memory Disambiguation can do speculative re-ordering of loads around both stores/loads, while Out-of-order loads can just reorder loads around loads and not stores: http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT060206035626

We'll see.

Intel did put a good core out that's for sure...

You're right about the stores, but that's more of a two-edged sword (can cause stalls).
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/cpu/core.ars/8

Personally, I think we're entering another long period where neither AMD nor Intel will have a significant lead in desktop for awhile...
I think AMD will maintain a lead in servers (certainly 4P+) and continue to gain share (though Woodcrest will eat into the low end, so we're talking very small gains until Barcelona is qualified).
The big question for Intel is Nehalem in late 08...
1. Will it do everything that's expected (CSI)?
2. Will it be delayed?
3. Will the yields be good (hence costs low)?

Nehalem could be another breakout product like C2D was...mainly because with an ODMC, Intel no longer needs a large cache (which will make the chips MUCH cheaper to manufacture).

For AMD, the big questions are Torrenza and Fusion...
We're already starting to see some sales from Torrenza in the Enterprize area, and it certainly has a LOT of potential.
Fusion for the commercial desktop and laptop sectors is also a strong sales possibility.

 

[Cogman]

All in all, I hope that AMD releases a CPU that knocks the socks off of the core 2 duo. I woud really hate to see AMD become a Cyrix cpu. They are the only compition that Intel has, and no compitition is bad for every one (look at internet explorer pre firefox, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, no changes at all, just diffrent icons).

That said though, if I where to have the money to upgrade I would definitly go for a Core 2 duo. I would just not want to take the risk that amd will come out with a cheaper, faster, processor then intel.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I can't imagine anyone thought AMD could hold off Intc, in overall performance or performance-per-watt, indefinitely. While many enthusiasts bash AMD for "sitting on their hands" though, AMD has actually been making good business decisions, and planning/expanding infrastructure. The company is in the best shape they have ever been in IMHO.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
I can't imagine anyone thought AMD could hold off Intc, in overall performance or performance-per-watt, indefinitely. While many enthusiasts bash AMD for "sitting on their hands" though, AMD has actually been making good business decisions, and planning/expanding infrastructure. The company is in the best shape they have ever been in IMHO.

One word there - Dell.

AMD will do OK. 😉