is it just me??anyone notice the price of a e6850 is 279 dollars?wtf!!yall remember what the price of a 6800 was before???and its the same price as a Q6600!!these prices are awesome!! why are we bitching?
All Phenoms feature infamous L3 cache errataHowever, good news insideBy Theo Valich: Friday, 30 November 2007, 8:09 AMSADLY FOR AMD, the Phenom launch was dumbed down by a nasty bug that stopped AMD from launching a 2.4 GHz variant (9700).At the same time, problems with the OS freezing were solved by a BIOS fix inside the motherboards that actually reduces performance between five to 10 per cent, since that BIOS update did nothing but ordered a processor to avoid that ill-fated corrupted cache data.The problem with L3 cache caused performance reduction on all clock speeds and yes, Phenoms 2.2 and 2.3 GHz are affected as well, but it was really noticable at 2.4 GHz. BIOS run-around caused a 2.4 GHz part producing performance of 100-200 MHz slower parts. Of course, standard disclaimer in some rare-found, practically laboratory-only instances applies here.We managed to learn that AMD was able to fix that problem through a micro-code update that is being prepared as we speak, and this micro-code update should be implemented in every Phenom from 9600 Black Edition and beyond. If that does not happen, micro-code should come no later than Phenom 9900 (2.6 GHz) in late January.If you already own a Phenom, this micro-code update will be packaged with one of next versions of BIOS for your motherboard. This fix will enable normal performance at clocks starting from 2.4 GHz and beyond.However, we would advise AMD work with partners on offering a Windows-based utility, since not all users know how to flash a BIOS (in fact, quite the opposite). Heck, you might even advertise it as a “free performance upgrade” utility. If that is a no go, it would only be fair if AMD issues a major service call, asking users to return their systems to channel partners and OEMs for a free BIOS update. µ
AMD bugged by bugsB3 on the way to becoming B4By Paul Taylor: Thursday, 10 January 2008, 5:29 PMWRITING HOME from CES 2008, hardware site Erenumerique (Digital Age) reports that AMD has shot itself once more in the foot.According to the French site, while chatting up a couple of AMD’s employees they got word that AMD has received the first Phenom B3 silicon and... wait for it... *surprise* It’s still buggy!Apparently AMD will be doing a (quote) “new spin” on the silicon.Now, whether that means a B4 stepping or simply correcting the snafu outright, your guess is as good as ours.According to Guillaume, the silicon won’t be around until May ’08. There’s also some interesting info about AMD’s ATI plans.On a different note, the same parties reported that the first 45nm process results were “encouraging”. Go figure.
Well, once they keep fighting the price war for the hour, they should keep Intel on their toes...hopefully.
Barcelona B3s are just fineRumours to the contrary are wrongBy Charlie Demerjian: Friday, 11 January 2008, 2:31 PMTHERE ARE A bunch of rumours floating about AMD's B3 stepping parts, saying they are have the same bug as the B2, IE the new step did not fix things. This is categorically not the case, it was, is, and never will be true.When the rumours started to fly, I called AMD and talked to Pat Moorehead who answered all of my questions. The B3s are not bugged, period. The fix was tested on B2 silicon and verified (Don't ask, the elves who work at the Fraternal Order of Silicon Repair Mythical Creatures Local 17 get antsy if you reveal their secrets).Basically there is no B4, there won't be a B4, and the next stepping is Cx. The Cx parts are the 45nm Shanghai cores, so the B3 will be the end of the line for 65nm. B3s are going to be sampling in the not so distant future, production in the end of Q1, and retail availability in Q2. That part is a slip.In summary, B3 is fine. It is a little later than people expect, but what can you do? The fixed chips are on the way, sit tight, it is only a few weeks before this soap opera ends.
AMD SHARES were up seven per cent and Intel’s stock fell one per cent in the wake of the announcement that New York State is launching an investigation into Intel’s business practices.The New York probe could help AMD’s cause in its own antitrust suit against its old rival and that sentiment was reflected in the shares movement.However, AMD shares will have to travel a lot further north to satisfy shareholders after the comedy of errors that has afflicted the company recently. Its stock is trading at less than a third of the 52-week high. µ
