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Today AMD announces 45nm quad-core Opteron processors, codenamed “Shanghai” designed to deliver superior virtualization experience, performance and power efficiency.

The touted highlights of these new pieces of silicon are many and varied:

• Extending virtualization capabilities.
• Up to 35% more performance compared to “Barcelona” Opteron CPUs while having the same power envelope.
• The only x86 processor spanning 2, 4 and 8 processor servers while maintaining socket and thermal compatibility with previous generation processors.
• Approximately 35% less power usage at idle “Barcelona” Opteron CPUs

Read more @ Zdnet.com

AMD has updated server makers that it is planning to bring forward the launch of 45nm server processors (Shanghai) from the original schedule of January 2009 to mid-October. Nine CPUs with core frequencies between 2.3-2.7GHz will be offerer ed initially, according to sources at server makers.
The nine Shanghai processors will include five 2-way and four 8-way models. All will support the company’s socket F (1207), and include an on-die DDR2 memory controller and 6MB L2 cache.

View: The full story @ DigiTimes

AMD has announced three new triple-core processors and improved support for Microsoft’s Hyper-V virtualisation technology. The new chips include the Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition, with a Clock Multiplier Control and tuneable performance, and the energy-efficient Phenom X3 8450e and Phenom X3 8250e.
AMD is aiming the new chips at digital content creators and the high-end gaming market. Meanwhile, the company has also announced that it is working more closely with Microsoft on virtualisation technology.

View: The full story @ vnunet

Advanced Micro Devices plans to return its premium class FX-series processors to the market sometime in the middle of next year. The question is whether the new central processing units (CPUs) will truly be capable of successfully competing against rivals. AMD Athlon 64 FX processors were first release back in 2003 to address the market of computer enthusiasts and gamers, however, when Advanced Micro Devices lost its performance crown on the x86 chip market in 2006, the firm had to cease production of “FX” parts since they were not competitive against Intel Corp.’s products. There were no new “FX” chips in 2007 and in 2008, but AMD hopes that in mid-2009 the “FX” will return.

The code-named Deneb FX microprocessors that are projected to be launched sometime in the middle of next year will feature four processing engines, shared level-three cache, dual-channel DDR2 (up to PC2-8500, 1066MHz) and DDR3 (up to PC3-10666, 1333MHz) memory controller, according to sources with knowledge of AMD’s plans. The new chips are projected to utilize AM3 form-factor, which means better system flexibility.

View: The full story @ Xbit-Labs

Advanced Micro Devices plans to announce its first desktop microprocessors produced using 45nm process technology on the 8th of January, 2009, the first day of Consumer Electronics Show. The code-named Deneb chips will not get truly high clock-speed boost, but will be able to offer substantially higher performance thanks to larger cache and architectural improvements.
The first desktop processors from AMD made using 45nm process technology will be AMD Phenom X4 chips clocked at 2.80GHz and 3.00GHz, sources familiar with AMD’s plans said. The new processors will support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, but since the initial chips will be available in socket AM2+ form-factor, the chips will have to rely on dual-channel DDR2 PC2-8500 (1066MHz DDR2) memory.

Full story @ Xbit-Labs

nVidia and AMD are looking to wrest control from Intel over the specification for USB 3.0.
USB 3.0 is the next-generation high-speed connection standard due out next year that is expected to offer 10 times the speed of USB 2.0.
At issue is that Intel is allegedly not giving the specification to competitors in the CPU or chipset markets. Intel responds that it is "working hard to get the complete spec" to the industry. One source close to Intel alleges that nVidia and Intel are seeking the "host controller "specification that Intel says is beyond the USB 3.0 specification.

View: CNET: nVidia, AMD vie with Intel over USB 3.0

AMD has launched several new graphics solutions for notebooks and new processors for servers – the ATI XGP (external graphics platform) technology, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800, the ATI PowerXpress, and the quad-core Opteron 1300 series. XGP technology, a new external PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 graphics platform, is designed to deliver enthusiast-class desktop graphics performance and true multimedia upgradeability to notebooks, according to the company.
ATI XGP capitalizes on PCIe 2.0 to deliver graphics via a connected cable to an externally powered and cooled device, delivering up to 4.0Gb/s bandwidth in each direction between the notebook and external graphics. XGP is fully optimized for new AMD Turion X2 Ultra (Puma) notebook platforms, which AMD also announced.

View: The full story @ DigiTimes