Archive for: cpu
With Intel nailing each new processor platform release as of late, the pressure is certainly on AMD to deliver something that isn’t only cheaper, but better. Many AMD enthusiasts are tired of the at times budget-minded company taking a backseat to power and performance while Intel dominates the headlines. The previous generations of Phenom were supposed to be AMD’s return to the high performance ring, though ultimately fell short of Intel’s own offerings. But AMD’s latest upcoming high-end platform, Zbamezi-FX, has many a enthusiasts salivating uncontrollably.
For those dedicated to the AMD camp, a new roadmap and updated performance benchmarks have leaked showing some rather impressive products and results! Hop inside for the goods…
With Nvidia, Texas Instruments, and Qualcomm in their sites, Broadcom took to the digital stage to announce a new venture — mobile processors. The party starts February 14th at Mobile World Congress, where Broadcom will have several of the new BCM28150 chips on hand for demo purposes.
In case you were a tad curious, the BCM28150 makes use of dual 1.1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor cores (given the name “Merlyn” processor) and VideoCore IV mobile multimedia/graphics technology — fancy words for 1 Gigapixel per second of graphics performance. Integrated 21 Mbps HSPA+ and 1080p support are further icing on the cake.
It all certainly sounds nice. But we’ll have to wait until Mobile World Congress shows us some actual hardware powered by said chip before we form any lasting ideas or conclusions.
[Broadcom]
Intel’s H67 and P67 chipsets may have just been announced at CES last week, but enthusiasts are still looking for their next upgrade. You see, the current iteration of Sandy Bridge is a mainstream product. The replacement for Intel’s top of the line 1366 platform has yet to hit the streets. That all changes later this year with the LGA2011 platform. Some of the more newsworthy features include a re-worked integrated graphics processor (much like the H67/P67) and quad-channel memory. As for the latter, there will only be enough room for one stick of RAM per channel. And as the leaked image here shows us (larger image inside), the slots will be separated in a 2 x 2 arrangement on either side of the processor — at least on this reportedly MSI-built motherboard. Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the picture that we can see is the large size of the CPU itself! It’s a good thing Intel is constantly moving to smaller architectures. Look for more information on LGA2011 products as we head into summer.
Besides their new GT540M mobile GPU, Nvidia had plenty more to talk about today. Hands down more exciting than some extra FPS on your latest gaming laptop was news that Nvidia is teaming up with ARM to build their own desktop CPU — yes, the Intel vs. Nvidia fight just got nasty. The Nvidia/ARM CPU is part of “Project Denver”
Nvidia is in a really good spot right now. Even though Intel reiterated they are focusing on the mobile market, their attempts thus far have been poor at best. Nvidia meanwhile already has an amazing desktop line of desktop hardware. Taking a GPU and turning it into a CPU is in our minds, a bit easier than going about it the other way — exactly what Intel is trying to do. If I were Intel, I’d be might worried right now. If one thing’s for sure, the next few years are going to be very exciting in the desktop computing scene.
While we sit here and contemplate the events that have transpired today, we offer you to jump inside and check out the press release in its entirety.
- November 23, 2010 10:28 pm
Custom PC builders are a funny bunch. (I know, I happen to be one of them.) They spend an insane amount of time scrutinizing every tiny aspect of their machines. On top of that, overclockers (again I raise my hand) take the obsession to another level. On the topic of overclocking, keeping that extra heat under control is priority #1. That’s where gigantic air coolers like the new Noctua NH-C14 (above) come in handy. Where the stock CPU coolers from Intel fail miserably, these behemoths can squelch heat like none other.
So what does this new NH-C14 model have over the equally impressive NH-D14?
- November 18, 2010 6:43 am
The Qualcomm-designed Snapdragon processor was quite the chip but one short year ago. It was “the” chip in fact. But these days as we sit here and look at Samsung’s Hummingbird processor, Nvidia Tegra 2, and upcoming ARM chips, the original Snapdragon processor starts to look quite dated. But Qualcomm, likely aiming to keep our attention on them, revealed new information concerning their upcoming redesigned Snapdragon processor, the MSM8960.
Some of the biggest features of the new chip include LTE support, a processor that is up to 5x faster thanks to high frequency clocks and a dual-core design, and a GPU that is up to 4x faster. Furthermore, heat and battery life should be improved thanks to the chips 28nm die size. Qualcomm is claiming a full 75% less power to be exact, which if that turns out to be true would be simply jaw dropping.
The only downside is that we’ll likely have to wait until early/mid-2012 before we start seeing any devices powered by the MSM8960 Snapdragon. In the meantime, we’ll have to make due with 45nm dual-core variants to prepare us for the onslaught coming later. More screenshots after the jump…
- November 16, 2010 6:59 am
The move to 32nm is in full swing for Intel. After releasing the world’s fastest consumer-grade 32nm processor earlier this year, the Core i7-980X, the company is finally starting a larger transition to the smaller architecture. Recently Intel began sending their hardware partners discontinuation notices on a slew of hardware. One such chip in particular is the old Intel speed demon, the Core i7-975x. This quad-core processor was fast. But it can’t hold a candle to the hex-core 980X in emerging software more targeted towards multiple cores.
The transition doesn’t just affect the higher end, previous generation of CPU’s, however. As you will see inside, some more mainstream and low-end CPU’s are also included in the list to get axed. Did your processor make the cut, and what are some of the first Sandy Bridge processors we’ll see from Intel? Find out after the jump.
- November 11, 2010 10:56 pm
With the Mac App Store submission now in full swing and that January 20, 2011 launch date growing ever closer, Apple is in pushing more resources towards making sure the software that debuts along with the Mac App Store is of high quality and bug free. Reaching that goal will take countless hours of hard work by people who love to pick through every last line of code, every option menu, and every last checkbox looking for any and all bugs they can find. With that said, if you happen to be just that type of person Apple would love to talk to you.
Naturally, you’ll have to have a good understanding of OS X, an uncanny ability to pick out the worst in people/products, and having a good grip on French, German, or Japanese wouldn’t hurt either. Those feeling lucky should stroll on over to the Jobs and Applications page on their website and take the plunge.
- September 9, 2010 7:07 am
Tech bloggers and smartphone junkies alike may be rantin’ and ravin’ over the upcoming ARM Cortex A9 processor and it’s lofty 1.5GHz speeds and dual-core possibilities, but there are much greater things on the horizon.
Introducing the ARM Cortex A15. This architecture, codenamed “Eagle”, will usher in heaping amounts of digital masculinity in the form of 2.5GHz clock speeds as well as dual and quad-core designs. Even more mind boggling, the A15 will feature support for up to 1TB of RAM. Yes, a 2.5GHz quad-core CPU on a phone. For the record, expect this processor of the gods to come in 32nm and 28nm variants, with plans to also take on server roles in their next life. Interesting…
Of course, the A9 isn’t even publicly available yet in any form. So to say the A15 is coming “soon” is slightly misleading. Then again, all things considered, 2013 isn’t that far off, is it? Larger pic of the A15 architecture and upcoming ARM roadmap after the jump…
