StarCraft II only takes advantage of dual cores

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty has now been available via digital distribution servers. StarCraft II marks the return of the three races from the original game: Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. This first installment only features the Terran campaign, with two planned expansion packs “Heart of the Swarm” and “Legacy of the Void” which will allow gamers to play the Zerg and Protoss campaigns.

The bad news is StarCraft II only takes advantage of dual cores, but still processing power plays a major role in this game. For example, the Core i3 540 processor only has half the L3 cache of the Core i5 750 and this makes the latter 27% faster when comparing the clock for clock data at 3.70GHz.


The extra threads of the Core i7 920 processor are no advantage when compared to the Core i5 750 in this game, but the additional memory capacity and bandwidth is. The Core i7 920 was 11% faster when comparing the clock for clock data at 3.70GHz which is quite significant.


An older processor like the Core 2 Quad Q6600 suffers compared to the other CPUs tested, serving as a bottleneck to a high-end GPU such as the GeForce GTX 480. The Phenom II processors delivered average performance and we saw no real difference between the Phenom II X2 (dual-core) and Phenom II X4 (quad-core processors).

It is a shame that StarCraft II can only utilize two cores, as this really hurts older quad-core processors such as the Core 2 Quad Q6600. Furthermore this will also mean that those with budget quad-core processors, such as the Athlon II X4, will also suffer.

AMD considering its own USB 3.0 implementation

AMD is getting ready to sign a deal with Renesas that will give AMD access to Renesas USB 3.0 implementation. This would allow AMD to quickly implement a stable USB 3.0 solution into its chipsets without having to spend time and money on developing its own solution and more importantly, software stack.

We’re hearing reports of Renesas competitors having problems with their software stacks and this is why we’re still waiting for all but Fresco Logic to get their products approved by the USBIF. If this rumour proves to be true, then it means that AMD has had enough of Intel’s silly game and decided to move forward without the blessing of Intel’s xHCI spec.

Digitimes claim that the first chipset from AMD to incorporate USB 3.0 support should be the Hudson D1 southbridge which is meant to go with AMD’s upcoming Ontario APUs which are set to launch sometime in the fourth quarter. This also means that we’ll see USB 3.0 from AMD on its notebook platform first, rather than its desktop platform which is usually the case for new technologies like this.

We’re starting to wonder how much Intel’s xHCI spec really matters, especially as Intel is in no hurry to launch its own USB 3.0 supporting chipset. NEC must also be kicking itself for selling off the NEC Electronics division to Renesas, as from what we’ve been told, NEC only expected USB 3.0 to be profitable for about six months or so before it got integrated into chipsets. Now it looks like this time period might well extend over two years or longer when it comes to Intel chipsets, as we have yet to hear or see anything that suggests that Intel will add USB 3.0 support to its chipsets over the next twelve months.

AMD Technology Helps Bring “Predators” To Life on the Big Screen

Troublemaker Studios utilized Six-Core AMD Opteron™ processors and ATI FirePro™ graphics accelerators to create animations and special effects for the new film “Predators”, now in theaters. Produced and executive directed by acclaimed film maker, Robert Rodriquez, Predators stars Academy Award winning actor Adrien Brody in a tale about a group of elite warriors who come to realize they’ve been brought together on an alien planet…as prey.

With a long history in the movie making industry, Troublemaker Studios is using AMD technology to push the envelope of digital movie making and special effects in several blockbuster films.

In addition to “Predators”, Rodriguez has looked to AMD technology to create six of his movies, including “Shorts”, “Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams”, “Spy Kids 3D: Game Over”, “Planet Terror”, and “Sin City”.

Rodriguez’s next film, “Machete”, is currently in production employing AMD technology as the movie’s digital hardware backbone, and is expected to be released on September 3, 2010.

The creative team at Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios use workstations based upon AMD’s superior ATI FirePro V8800 graphics solutions and Six-Core AMD Opteron processors which enable the digital artist to create and iterate at the speed of thought.”

“With the AMD platforms, my creative team has the freedom to quickly design and animate all the required concepts and designs,” said Robert Rodriguez, Troublemaker Studios. “AMD’s complete platform solution helps turn our visions into reality – we can easily and quickly manipulate images or scenes without the wait process previously associated with computer technology.”

Fujitsu Announces AMD Powered 11.6” LifeBook PH520

Fujitsu Japan has announced a new 11.6" notebook powered by one of AMD's new mobile 2010 processors.


Fujitsu LifeBook PH520 : 
11.6" 1366 x 768 display
Athlon Neo K125 processor (1.7GHz, single core)
AMD M880G chipset
ATI Radeon HD 4225 graphics
2GB RAM
320GB HDD
USB 2.0 x 3, Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, card reader, audio jacks
Wi-Fi b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
1.3MP Webcam
Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
6-cell battery (6.2 hours)
1.4 kg

Acer Liquid E Ferrari smartphone

Acer has teamed up with Ferrari to manufacture the Liquid E Ferrari special edition smartphone. The device comes loaded with Ferrari-themed content, like videos, photos and ringtones of Ferrari engines, in addition to the obvious external themed Ferrari red color and emblem.

Acer has opted for Android 2.1 OS on the Ferrari phone, but not so surprising since they are dealing with Ferrari; speed is key. Running a 768MHz Snapdragon processor, 5 megapixel camera, MicroSD slot with support for 32GB chips, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, all connected to your 3G HSDPA network. Added bonus is a bright red Ferrari Bluetooth headset.

Asus introduces Eee PC 1015T AMD-powered netbook

Asus is showing off the 10 inch netbook at its Computex booth this week. At the first glance, it looks like all of the other 10 inch netbooks Asus has introduced this year, but the Eee PC 1015T is powered by a 1.2GHz AMD V105 single core processor and ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics. Unlike most current netbooks, this model also supports up to 4GB of DDR3 memory.

The rest of the specs are pretty standard, including a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1GB of DDR3 memory, up to 320GB of hard drive space, and a 6 cells battery. The laptop runs Windows 7 Starter Edition and also includes the Asus Express Gate quick boot environment. The netbook comes with 802.11b/g/n WiFi and optional Bluetooth 3.0.

Dell Announces Nile & Danube Notebooks

A new ultrathin notebook from Dell, the Inspiron M301z offering users the choice of an AMD "Nile" Dual-Core Athlon II Neo K325 (1.3GHz) or a Turion II Neo K625 (1.5GHz).


The 13.3" widescreen laptop comes with an HD display panel (1366x768), an AMD RS880M chipset with SB820 south bridge, integrated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4225 graphics,, up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, Windows 7 Home Premium or Home Basic (64-bit), built-in speakers, a standard 320GB hard drive (7200RPM), 6-cell battery, 1.3MP webcam, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v2.1 and a Kensington lock slot. There's also HDMI-out a 7-in-1 card reader, audio jacks, two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, a mini-DisplayPort output and a starting weight of just 3.89 lbs.

Beside that, Dell also announced the Inspiron M501R, a 15.6-inch laptop based on the latest 2010 AMD Mainstream Platform for Notebooks nicknamed "Danube".


The Dell Inspiron M501R features mobile AMD Phenom II X4 quad-core processor (codename Champlain), ATI Radeon HD 4250 integrated graphics or optional ATI Radeon HD550v 1GB GPU, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, up to 640GB of hard disk capacity, a DVD writer or Blue-ray combo drive, and a 720p LED-backlight display.

Dell’s new laptop also includes an integrated 1,3MP web camera, two speakers, 802.11n WiFi, optional Bluetooth, Ethernet LAN, three USB ports, an eSATA/USB port, optional 7-in-1 media card reader, VGA and HDMI outputs, and a full-size keyboard with numeric pad. The laptop weighs 5.83 pounds with its standard 6-cell battery, integrated graphics and optical drive.

Acer shows its new Aspire notebooks based on AMD's Nile

Following AMD announcement, Acer has officially announced three new notebooks based on AMD's 2010 Ultrathin platform, the Aspire One 521, Aspire One 721 and Aspire 1551.

The Aspire One 521 features AMD's single-core AMD V-series V105 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz paired up with ATI Radeon HD 4225 GPU. The rest of the features include 1 GB of memory, a 160 GB HDD, three USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and D-Sub outputs, and an ability to easily run 1080p HD videos.



The bigger 11.6-inch Aspire One 721 features AMD's Athlon II Neo K325 paired up with the same Radeon HD 4225 GPU. As far as the ports and specs are concerned, this one is pretty much the same as the Aspire One 521 except for the obvious change in screen size and CPU.

The last but not least is the Aspire 1551 featuring the same 11.6-inch 1366x768 display but will be available with either AMD Turion II Neo K625 dual core processor, up to 4 GB of memory, 640 GB of HDD space, and the same Radeon HD 4225 integrated graphics. It also comes with HDMI output and is capable of playing 1080p content.

Some photos & videos posted at Netbooknews.de

AMD Cannes film about VISION Technology

AMD has a short film on Youtube about their Vision technology. Miki Manojlovic, a Serbian actor is featured in it.



Quote : VISION technology from AMD provides such an immersive experience that you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between the virtual world and reality. A stunning level of detail, life-like gaming and amazing photos that turn into a vibrant video with a click of a button are just some reasons that will make every user feel like a film star.

Over 100 Laptops with AMD's Upcoming Danube & Nile Platform

Reuters reported that Advanced Micro Devices may make some of its largest inroads into the fast-growing laptop computer market thanks to a new generation of power-efficient chips to be unveiled next week. The company's latest microprocessors are expected to be included in 109 laptop models in the coming months, the company's best showing during the crucial back-to-school sales season. Last year, AMD's chips were available in 40 laptop models.

"Danube" is the new platform for mainstream notebooks replacing "Tigris". On Ultrathin segment, we will see "Nile" platform to replace "Congo" or the second generation AMD's Ultrathin.

Here are the 2010 Mainstream Notebook Platform CPU

Here are the 2010 Ultrathin Notebook Platform CPU

Notebooks featuring the new silicon will start showing up "as early as June" from the well-known vendors : HP, Acer, Dell, and Lenovo.

Early signs that the new range of chips to be unveiled next week are getting positive responses from top PC makers due to AMD's attempts to simplify its numerous offerings under its new "Vision" brand, as well as improved battery life and performance across the line. In the first quarter of 2010, AMD represented 12.1 percent of worldwide mobile chip sales, according to IDC.