AMD Phenom and Spider unveiled

AMD today unveiled its new platform codenamed “Spider”, with the first true quad-core processor supporting scalable graphics for The Ultimate Visual Experience™. The AMD Spider platform combines the introduction of AMD Phenom™ quad-core processors, ATI Radeon™ HD 3800 Series graphics processors with Microsoft DirectX® 10.1 support, AMD 7-Series chipsets with CrossFireX™ and AMD OverDrive™ software.

The architecture of the new AMD Phenom processor is based on the Barcelona core, otherwise known as the Agena core for the desktop market. The AMD Phenom processor is only the first part of a three part platform message that AMD is trying to present. The second part was the new AMD Radeon HD 3800 series of graphics. The third part is a new chipset, the second from the new AMD, known as the AMD 790.

With the release today AMD is only going to have two Phenom models on the list: an AMD Phenom 9600 and Phenom 9500 clocked at 2.3 GHz and 2.2 GHz respectively. Both are set at a TDP of 95 watts and will come with a total of 2MB of L3 cache and 2MB of L2 cache, 512KB to each core.

Phenom 9600 @ 2.3 GHz - $283 (available now)
Phenom 9500 @ 2.2 GHz - $251 (available now)
Phenom 9700 @ 2.4 GHz - under $300 (Q1 2008)
Phenom 9900 @ 2.6 GHz - under $350 (Q1 2008)

A video showcasing AMD's Overdrive utility has surfaced on YouTube. Sami Maekinen from AMD's chipset division explains what Overdrive is, how to use it, and its benefits. Unlike other utilities, AMD Overdrive controls the whole platform. That platform being Spider, this utility works with a Phenom processor, 790FX chipset and AMD's new videocards.



AMD OverDrive Utility - Before and After Demo



Official Items:
Spider Platform page
Phenom pricing

Reviews:
Real World Labs
Techware Labs
Hexus Phenom 9600
PC Perspective
Tech Report AMD 790FX chipset
Hot Hardware Spider Platform
Tech ARP AMD Spider Technology Report

AMD Releases Radeon HD 3800 Series

AMD today announced the introduction and immediate availability of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series of graphics processing units (GPU). As the world's first series of graphics processors to deliver Microsoft's DirectX 10.1 support, 55nm process technology and tri and quad multi-GPU support with ATI CrossFireX, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series ushers in a new era of enthusiast gaming performance at mainstream price points. The ATI Radeon HD 3800 series will be introduced in two variants at launch, from US $179 MSRP, the ATI Radeon HD 3850 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and from US $219 MSRP, the ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB GDDR4 memory. The launch of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 series redefines the enthusiast segment and puts high performance gaming in reach of more users than ever before. This innovative new series of graphics products also represent the first step in the launch of AMD's upcoming enthusiast platform codenamed "Spider".

Reviews:
Tweaktown
Hardware Canucks
Elite Bastards
Hexus
HotHardware
AnandTech
Legit Reviews

From the reviews we have seen so far, it looks like the 3870 gives NVIDIA some competition in DirectX 10 games, while the DX9 performance is not as stellar. But then again, even with DX9 performance lower than NVIDIA's 8800GT, at 100+ fps average, the difference is not noticeable anyway. Let's just hope the 3870 X2 (R680) can compete in the enthusiast market or AMD's next generation GPUs are right around the corner. Actually, both would be nice. If AMD can keep the price low and have good driver support for the cards, they may be able to gain back some lost ground in the graphics market.

AMD Phenom box-art exposed

This is the new AMD Phenom box. The designs were more elegant than the current AMD boxes; the colors on them flowed nicely.

Radeon HD 3800 Series - Peace and Quiet

The new RV670 will be christened as Radeon HD 3800 series.



This is what will sell as Radeon HD 3850($149-$179):

* 55nm RV670PRO GPU at 668 MHz
* 256MB GDDR3 memory at 828 MHz DDR (1.66 GT(/s)
* 10.69 GPixel/s fillrate
* 52.99 GB/s memory bandwidth
* 320 Unified Stream Processors
* 24x Custom Filter Anti-Aliasing support
* ATI Avivo HD
* ATI PowerPlay power saving technology
* Game Physics processing capability
* HDMI support

As far as higher performing part, the 3870($200-$230) is considered, specs are following:

* 55nm RV670XT GPU clocked to 775 MHz
* 512MB GDDR4 memory clocked at 1.2 GHz DDR (2.4 GT/s)
* 12.40 GPixel/s fill-rate
* 76.80 GB/s memory bandwidth
* 320 Unified Stream Processors
* 24x Custom Filter Anti-Aliasing support
* 55nm process
* ATI Avivo HD
* ATI PowerPlay power saving technology
* Game Physics processing capability
* HDMI support

It seems that AMD may finally be catching on to the fact that most people do not want their computers to sound like leaf blowers. The new cooler on the Radeon HD 3850 is a single slot solution rated at a wonderfully low 31 db (at least compared to the jet engines on previous cards). The faster Radeon HD 3870 will sport a dual-slot cooler, but it is rated at a modest 34 db. These are not perfectly quiet, but compared to previous attempts and even to their direct competitors they are much more tolerable. NVIDIA's 8000 series, including the 8800GT, usually hum along at 40+ db.

AMD is telling its graphics card partners that they should focus on the GDDR3 part - the $150 HD3850 - while GDDR4 part - the dual-slot 3870 - should be used "to complete the offering". So it seems AMD is going to mostly focus on the 3850, the part that is going to succeed the 2600XT in that price bracket, and is set to absolutely dominate the Geforce 8600GTS and its own previous $150 part, the Radeon 2600XT.

The Radeon 2600XT and Pro will have their prices slashed, sending the boards in a lower price bracket, while the prices of 2400Pro and 2400XT will go into the range between the large packs of crisps and the family packs of detergents. For that, AMD will use more and more of those 55nm parts called RV615 and RV635.

Second wave of cards will include 3850 AGP with 256 and 512MB GDDR3 memory, 3870 with 512MB and 1GB of GDDR4 memory. Those boards are expected to hit the market just in time for Xmas.

Weekly Top 20 Mandarin Chart

Vic Zhou "I'm not F4" managed to capture number 1 at G-Music Weekly Top 20 Mandarin Chart (26 Oct --> 1 Nov)



He also attending many events and TV programs for promoting his new album. And here you may watch the MV of Ai Ni Hen Ni (Love You Hate You):