AMD outlines server roadmap through 2011

To celebrate Opteron's six-year anniversary, AMD pulled the wraps off their server roadmap for the next two years. Here are the highlights provided direct from AMD:

Months ahead of schedule, AMD plans to deliver the six-core AMD Opteron processor code named “Istanbul” in June this year, with up to 30 percent more performance within the same power envelope and on the same platform as current Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors.

AMD unveiled Direct Connect Architecture 2.0, the next stage of server processor innovation: up to 12 cores initially, with superior memory and I/O capability, near native virtualization performance, and a range of full-featured power bands that continue to place a priority on low power consumption.

AMD believes a customer value shift is currently underway, transforming the server market, with the high end moving toward performance and expandability and virtualization driving a need for more cores and greater scalability. At the lower end, AMD sees power management and overall value as primary drivers for cloud computing and ultra-dense environments that demand greater energy efficiency.

In 2010, AMD plans to ship the AMD Opteron 6000 series for 2P and 4P servers that are designed to address the highly virtualized, high performance computing and database markets. The 6000 series will debut on the G34 socket and the “Maranello” platform, with the 8- and 12-core “Magny-Cours” processors.

The upcoming AMD Opteron 4000 series is also planned for introduction in 2010 for 1P and 2P servers and designed to address virtualized Web and cloud computing environments. The 4000 series will launch with the C32 socket and “San Marino” platform with the 4- and 6-core “Lisbon” processor.

The “Interlagos” 12- and 16-core processor, based on the “Bulldozer” core and manufactured on 32nm process technology, is planned to ship in 2011 and will also be supported by the “Maranello” platform. The 6- to 8-core “Valencia” processor, also manufactured on 32nm process technology, is planned for shipment in 2011 on the “San Marino” platform.

“Over the past six years, AMD has transformed the x86 server industry to what it is today with the AMD Opteron processor, delivering exceptional performance per watt gains along the way. And in 2010 and 2011, AMD plans to deliver to its customers unprecedented back-to-back performance gains that remain true to our commitment on power efficiency. We’re currently working on new processors which we expect will deliver more than 35 times the performance of the original single-core AMD Opteron processor released in 2003,” said Patrick Patla, vice president and general manager, Server/Workstation Business, AMD. “With our wide range of available power bands and performance capabilities, AMD is delivering full featured, maximum value at every price point today, and plans to continue to do so well into the future.”

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