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AMD unveils 6-core 'Istanbul'
by Jamie Anderson - June 2, 2009 - comments
The six-core 45nm AMD Opteron processor, codenamed “Istanbul”, is expected to be the only x86 six-core processor available for two-socket, four-socket and higher systems.
Los Angeles, June 2: It's going to be the Istanbul versus Nehalem rivalry that the server markets will keenly keep an eye on! Drawing first blood, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) is all set to roll out its six-core Opteron chip, code-named Istanbul, five months ahead of schedule.
AMD has been aggressively talking about improvements in performance, efficiency and virtualization capabilities in Istanbul during the pre launch campaigns. Leslie Sobon, vice president of product marketing for AMD, said during the launch, “Istanbul is the only six-core chip with configuration for two-processor, four-p and eight-p systems."
The festivity at the Sunnyvale, CA based AMD may, however, be short lived as arc rival and market leader, Intel Corporation. (NASDAQ: INTC; SEHK: 4335), is all set to come out, all guns blazing, with its eight-core Nehalem EX chip in the first quarter of 2010.
Battle for supremacy
While Intel and AMD battle it out by launching product for product, experts opine that it would do little in the short term to alter their market share.
Real World Technologies analyst, David Kanter, said of AMD’s six-core Opteron chip, "Istanbul will let AMD catch up and get a lot closer, but I don't think it will allow them to beat Intel."
Intel and AMD have battled all along to grab a bigger pie of the microprocessor market. The rivalry has been on the basis of price, performance and service. Both companies have raised the bar and created new benchmarks for each other to chase.
Intel has established that it is second to none when it comes to performance benchmarks and technology that enables processors to handle multiple instructions simultaneously.
According to IDC analyst, Shane Rau, Intel has a whopping 89 percent of the x86 server chips worldwide, while AMD comes at a distant second with the leftover 11 percent.
And Intel is not going to let go of the market share easily. Intel spokesperson, Nick Knupffer, said, “Nehalem EX and Nehalem EP are extending our leadership in the server market and we are very confident of maintaining that platform leadership."