when will the 2.6GHz AMD dual-core X2's arrive?

[R3MF]

hello all.

i understand that AMD has released some 2.6GHz dual-core Opterons, but when will the X2 versions show up?

i am not looking to O/C with this PC, so i want good stock performance at a reasonable price, which to me means an X2 4600+ running at 2.4Ghz with 512k cache per core.............. but only when it is no longer the second fastest (and thus vastly expensive) AMD dual-core X2.

the arrival of 2.6GHz X2's should herald the intro of the X2 5000+ and 5200+ depending on the amount of cache equipped, which means that the 4600+ will go from being the second fastest to the fourth fastest X2.

currently the 4200+ is the fourth fastest with a pricetag of £320, whereas the 4600+ is currently £450+. my wallet can cope with £320 if the performance is a great enough leap over my 2GHz Winchester which i don't (personally) consider a 2.2Ghz dual-core to be, 2.4Gh on the other hand..............................

so, when will the 5000+ and 5200+ be available to buy?

regards

R3MF

 

[RichUK]

AMD roadmaps say 1st quarter 06.

That is about all we know, apparently the 5000+ is the only other X2 too be produced according to the roadmap, there is no mention of the 5200+, although i can see you logic, and going by that logic you would think that the 5200+ would be the Toledo variant (the successor to the 4800+).

 

[imported_Grave]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2476&p=2

 

[R3MF]

hmm, it's all a bit ill-defined, the graph has an arrow ( > ) indicating greater than 5000+, so maybe there will be 512k and 1MB variants...........

but it definately looks like its 4-6 months away.

cheers

 

[Hacp]

4200+ is pretty cheap, and 2.2 GHZ 512 Cache is pretty fast. I should know as I have that. Currently, I'm running stock because of a pending ram change, and I don't feel the difference between 2.5-2.6 and 2.2.

 

[Markbnj]

Originally posted by: Hacp
4200+ is pretty cheap, and 2.2 GHZ 512 Cache is pretty fast. I should know as I have that. Currently, I'm running stock because of a pending ram change, and I don't feel the difference between 2.5-2.6 and 2.2.

I'm not sure how often I "feel" the difference either. But overclocking my 2.2 to 2.5 increased my Crystalmark score by 20%.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: R3MF
hmm, it's all a bit ill-defined, the graph has an arrow ( > ) indicating greater than 5000+, so maybe there will be 512k and 1MB variants...........

but it definately looks like its 4-6 months away.

cheers

This stuff is always dependent on INtel. AMD wont release a new product unless Intel can change the currently big leads AMD has now. They may save a launch to steal thunder of a new product from the desktop or the Xeon server line....

I would say since INtel doesn't have much to offer until the end of the uyear we are not likely to see anything until then...

Also sidenote....Fab 36 is set to open this next month so ramp up of number of cpus may also be a factor in expanding the product line at the moment.

 

[Diogenes2]

How cheap is cheap?

I realize you are saying you don't want to overclock, but why not?


You would be hard pressed to find a 3800+ That won't do 2.4g at default vcore.. A lot more with a little bump..

 

[DrMrLordX]

I have to agree with Diognese here. We really need to rethink out position towards overclocking now that so many readily-available CPUs can be OCed without an increase in vcore. Overclocking without an increase in vcore is nearly 0-risk and will likely not lower the overall life of the CPU.

 

[sandorski]

Another point concerning Intel's lack of competitive performance: AMD is in a position right now where they could release a higher speed X2 without making the slower X2s cheaper. They couldmerely push the faster X2s into a higher price bracket as there's no competition. Thus, it doesn't matter whether the cpu desired is pushed from 2nd fastest to 4th or even 10th fastest(for eg), as long as AMD is clearly in the lead they have little incentive to lower prices.

That said, they may lower prices anyway on the low end, just to put the squeeze on Intel.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Another point concerning Intel's lack of competitive performance: AMD is in a position right now where they could release a higher speed X2 without making the slower X2s cheaper. They couldmerely push the faster X2s into a higher price bracket as there's no competition. Thus, it doesn't matter whether the cpu desired is pushed from 2nd fastest to 4th or even 10th fastest(for eg), as long as AMD is clearly in the lead they have little incentive to lower prices.

That said, they may lower prices anyway on the low end, just to put the squeeze on Intel.

which they will start to have the ability only to do after the Fab 36 opens...lowering prices now and/or offering a lower speed X2 would only peak demand they cant currently meet....There is currently a shortage of 3000+ and 3800+ X2s in the Asia Pacific market...This is importnat to note since they are the cheapest cpu in each product line....I think demand is sufficient now to meet supply so they will hold steady on prices...If Fab 36 comes in and is able to dump 13,000 more cpus per month then we may see some movement...

 

[sluthy]

Originally posted by: Diogenes2I realize you are saying you don't want to overclock, but why not?

Warranty?

 

[bob661]

Warranty?

I've never had to worry about using CPU warranties. Usually they're DOA if they're bad.

 

[Diogenes2]

Originally posted by: sluthy

Originally posted by: Diogenes2I realize you are saying you don't want to overclock, but why not?

Warranty?

If that's your concern, sure..


But, if all you have to do is bump the FSB, it's not really overclocked.
It was just packaged and sold underclocked..

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX
I have to agree with Diognese here. We really need to rethink out position towards overclocking now that so many readily-available CPUs can be OCed without an increase in vcore. Overclocking without an increase in vcore is nearly 0-risk and will likely not lower the overall life of the CPU.

Yeah, Like what Duvie posted above, all these Ghz number are really marketing games, and AMD will likely to make 2.6Ghz available only if they feel Intel have some competing product, which they do not.

Seriously, lots of x2 3800+ are able to run at 2.2, 2.4 easily, and the only reason AMD market it at 3800+ is because that's the only price point market is willing to buy it at. They do that so they can sell as many processor as possible, and at the same time still squeez money from those who willing to spend extra with the few 4600+/4800+ available.

So what I am trying to say is, overclocking is really a way to side stepping all these marketing game companies are playing, and get yourself a product at full potential. If you really know what you are doing, overclocking is pretty safe and easy these days. I myself is running a x2 3800+ at 2.58ghz now and I am using very average memory and heatsink/fan combo. So why wait for half a year for 5000+ and spend like 1k even if it comes out.

 

[ViN86]

yea my 3800+ runs at 2.5 without a hitch. i havent tried to max it out yet.

 

[R3MF]

i guess because it would be going in my Shuttle, which doesn't have a fantastic cooling setup, and would sound like a vacuum cleaner if i had to O/C with it.

 

[biostud]

my guess will be for M2 only, as it will have a higher thermal dissipation.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: R3MF
hello all.

i understand that AMD has released some 2.6GHz dual-core Opterons, but when will the X2 versions show up?

i am not looking to O/C with this PC, so i want good stock performance at a reasonable price, which to me means an X2 4600+ running at 2.4Ghz with 512k cache per core.............. but only when it is no longer the second fastest (and thus vastly expensive) AMD dual-core X2.

the arrival of 2.6GHz X2's should herald the intro of the X2 5000+ and 5200+ depending on the amount of cache equipped, which means that the 4600+ will go from being the second fastest to the fourth fastest X2.

currently the 4200+ is the fourth fastest with a pricetag of £320, whereas the 4600+ is currently £450+. my wallet can cope with £320 if the performance is a great enough leap over my 2GHz Winchester which i don't (personally) consider a 2.2Ghz dual-core to be, 2.4Gh on the other hand..............................

so, when will the 5000+ and 5200+ be available to buy?

regards

R3MF

Well honestly, I would recommend to you do to some light OC'ing.

Athlon 64 X2 4200+ = 2200MHz (11x200)
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ = 2000MHz (10x200)

If you want 2600MHz, it should be rather painless on the 4200+. Raise the HTT by 35MHz and voila. With the 3800+, you'll need to raise it by 60Mhz. But that's not uncommon, and many people have been reporting speeds as high as 2800MHz.