AMD Piledriver rumours ... and expert conjecture

[Reynod]

We have had several requests for a sticky on AMD's yet to be released Piledriver architecture ... so here it is.

I want to make a few things clear though.

Post a question relevant to the topic, or information about the topic, or it will be deleted.

Post any negative personal comments about another user ... and they will be deleted.

Post flame baiting comments about the blue, red and green team and they will be deleted.

Enjoy ...

 

[Chad Boga]

That is true but my work place still had a hard time coming buy an FX series until almost a month after they were released. We just finally got a decent stock in and a few 8120s.

Tht still shows low supply, especially if the top end CPU keeps selling out too fast.

In Brisbane's 3 largest computer stores, none of them have the FX8150 available or listed even for Pre-Order.

One of them has an FX8120, one has an FX8120 as a Pre-Order and one has no FX CPU's listed at all.

I haven't checked every online store in Oz, but in one of our largest http://www.pccasegear.com, has the FX8120 on Pre-Order and no FX8150 in sight.

I do recall predicting that the FX8150 would effectively be a paper launch and some people said that was an outrageous thing by me to predict.

 

[Reynod]

Queenslanders ...

They are low in stock here out West too !

 

[archibael]

As for the issues I see with the discolored markings on CPUs, is that a GF issue or AMD?

That is purely assembly side. Wasn't aware that AMD had retained their own assembly and test factories, but if that is indeed the case this is not a GF issue but either AMD or whoever they sub-con'ed to do their assembly.

 

[Welve]

That would obviously rule out companies who left their retail partners high and dry when they started supplying Dell. 😉 😀

that is somewhat of a low blow, wasn't part of that issue the ability to supply dell as a partner while maintaining other retail partners? they had a period where they didn't have the supply to meet demand from everywhere because of the anti-trust suit's resolution, so they went with the opportunity that presented itself and then went back to other retailers when they could. Leaving retailers high and dry hurt them for sure, but probably more so than leaving dell high and dry, it was a no win, so they went with the least damaging alternative. Unless I am mistaken, then please ignore 😗

 

[gamerk316]

Then you are being ripped off. I bought software without a box that has online updating. Some only post new packages. More expensive software - or even Flash - updates without a reboot.

Is Steam a Pro app?
Real Player?
Movie Outline?
Kindle For PC?
Photoshop Elements?
Icon Workshop?

Then as usual you live vicariously through an abusive company that cares nothing about you.

Theres a difference between an update of code and recompile of the source code using a differnet compiler. Tell me, how many times have you installed a game and seen the MSVC 2005 redistributable package install? Most companies I've worked at still use MSVC 2003, or even VC++ 6.0 in some cases, because they can't justify the cost to update their development studio across their entire company, make the changes [however small] to get all their source code ported, JUST to gain a little bit of extra efficiency for a handful of CPU's.

Point being, only a handful of apps are going to have support for those shiny new instructions, because most companies are using older compilers that don't have support.

 

[jimmysmitty]

that is somewhat of a low blow, wasn't part of that issue the ability to supply dell as a partner while maintaining other retail partners? they had a period where they didn't have the supply to meet demand from everywhere because of the anti-trust suit's resolution, so they went with the opportunity that presented itself and then went back to other retailers when they could. Leaving retailers high and dry hurt them for sure, but probably more so than leaving dell high and dry, it was a no win, so they went with the least damaging alternative. Unless I am mistaken, then please ignore 😗

True but before any of the anti trust stuff happened AMD had two FABs and sold one off. That was a hit they took themselves.

As for it overall, they still left the ones who had faith in them to start to go for a company that didn't just for the big bucks.

 

[metallifux]

Queenslanders ...

They are low in stock here out West too !

Seriously are you from Perth? small world!

 

[noob2222]

BTW this is what I was talking about:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8987/20111118151011400.jpg

Built a AMD system with a FX-4100 at work and this has to be, out of maybe 5 BD builds, the 4th one with this. Its annoying as sometimes the plastic wipes off the stock TIM. Luckily this one didn't but AMD needs to get GF to do better QC because this is just rediculous.

Is that the brown oem box that AMD made? Thats definately a cheap looking heatsink compared to what came with my retail 8120FX, heck even m 3850 had a better one.

 

[de5_Roy]

i have a few questions about trinity apu. from what i've read, it seems like trinity will use a piledriver core and a radeon hd 7000 class igp. amd claims huge performance (iirc 50%) and gflops improvement over llano.
now, tsmc will make radeon hd gpus on its 28 nm node. otoh, glofo will make trinity apus on its 32 nm node. since glofo will also make the igp, a) will it not be a step backwards for the radeon hd 7000 igp? afaik llano's (32 nm) igp is derived from gpu built on 40 nm process. i am basing by opinion strictly based on the manufacturing processes, ofc both dgpu and the igp will be different.
there is no mention of pcie 3.0 on wikipedia's (that's what i am using as a source right now) trinity section. b) will it support pcie 3.0? imo trinity can offer far better hybrid crossfire performance with an entry level radeon hd 7xxx dgpu.
last one is about socket fm2. c) is it feasible for amd to abandon socket fm1 so soon because of trinity? it barely matured and because of glofo's problems with 32 nm cpus, llanos are low in supply.

 

[fazers_on_stun]

A bit off-topic: http://semiaccurate.com/2011/11/17/more-bits-on-hd7000northern-islandsgcn-leak/

S/A says the HD7000 Southern Island 28nm GPUs should start appearing in January, all of them made on TSMC's 28nm process, none on GF's apparently. 384-bit memory bus for 3GB capability.

Also, http://semiaccurate.com/2011/11/17/apple-macbook-air-with-amd-processor-dead/

Basically Apple dropped the Llano version of the Macbook Air, because AMD couldn't guarantee them enough of the high-end parts. Thanks again to GF..

And the kicker: http://semiaccurate.com/2011/11/21/exclusive-apple-swaps-gpu-suppliers-again/

Apple switched back to nVidia for their future GPUs, probably beginning with Ivy Bridge. Seems that a weak CPU does matter, and IB brings a stronger GPU anyway for when the discrete one isn't needed..

I think this may also explain project Win at AMD - with design losses like these, AMD will need to counter reduced income by reducing expenses.

 

[gamerk316]

^^ Ouch. Could be the beginning of a downward spiral if they don't get their house in order, ASAP.

 

[dogman_1234]

If I were AMD...I would start warming up the lawyers against GloFo.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Is that the brown oem box that AMD made? Thats definately a cheap looking heatsink compared to what came with my retail 8120FX, heck even m 3850 had a better one.

Nope. Thats what comes in a retail FX4100/6100 box, as thats all we get. And the Phenom IIs also have a brown box holding the cooler. I didn't have the box in the area though. I too find them strange. They are about as heavy, if not heavier, than a LGA1366 cooler and very bulky. I thought the FX8120s were to come with the same kind that comes with the Phenom II X4s and X6s and the lower end ones would come with a more standard cooler but they are very heavy for standard stock coolers and much larger than the old ones for the Athlon II/Semprons.

Gotta disspate that heat I guess.

A bit off-topic: http://semiaccurate.com/2011/11/17/more-bits-on-hd7000northern-islandsgcn-leak/

S/A says the HD7000 Southern Island 28nm GPUs should start appearing in January, all of them made on TSMC's 28nm process, none on GF's apparently. 384-bit memory bus for 3GB capability.

Also, http://semiaccurate.com/2011/11/17/apple-macbook-air-with-amd-processor-dead/

Basically Apple dropped the Llano version of the Macbook Air, because AMD couldn't guarantee them enough of the high-end parts. Thanks again to GF..

And the kicker: http://semiaccurate.com/2011/11/21/exclusive-apple-swaps-gpu-suppliers-again/

Apple switched back to nVidia for their future GPUs, probably beginning with Ivy Bridge. Seems that a weak CPU does matter, and IB brings a stronger GPU anyway for when the discrete one isn't needed..

I think this may also explain project Win at AMD - with design losses like these, AMD will need to counter reduced income by reducing expenses.

Very ouch. But a 3GB HD7970 sounds tasty.

I might be getting a Corsair 500R or 600R for XMas. I don't mind my current case but those corsairs just look sexy and would house a HD7970 with my current system or even a future system and just look much better.

 

[Welve]

Jimmy, the 500R is awesome! Just finished a build in one, cable management is amazing, I should take a picture with my 6970 inside, looking all streamlined and staying extremely cool. Idle temp of processor 37 degrees C, idle 6970 49 degrees...load while gaming only goes up 10 degreees MAX!

 

[earl45]

Nope. Thats what comes in a retail FX4100/6100 box, as thats all we get. And the Phenom IIs also have a brown box holding the cooler. I didn't have the box in the area though. I too find them strange. They are about as heavy, if not heavier, than a LGA1366 cooler and very bulky. I thought the FX8120s were to come with the same kind that comes with the Phenom II X4s and X6s and the lower end ones would come with a more standard cooler but they are very heavy for standard stock coolers and much larger than the old ones for the Athlon II/Semprons.

Gotta disspate that heat I guess.



Very ouch. But a 3GB HD7970 sounds tasty.

I might be getting a Corsair 500R or 600R for XMas. I don't mind my current case but those corsairs just look sexy and would house a HD7970 with my current system or even a future system and just look much better.

Jimmy I just completed my build in a CM Storm Troop Case now this is a beautiful case.
Go on line and check it out.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Jimmy, the 500R is awesome! Just finished a build in one, cable management is amazing, I should take a picture with my 6970 inside, looking all streamlined and staying extremely cool. Idle temp of processor 37 degrees C, idle 6970 49 degrees...load while gaming only goes up 10 degreees MAX!

Yea I get to look at the at work all the time just drooling. I like the 500R because you can also mount 120mm fans on the HDD cages for an extra push of air into the case.

The only one we have in our builds at work that allow decent cable management is the CM 690 II but its and ok case compared to the 500R.

Jimmy I just completed my build in a CM Storm Troop Case now this is a beautiful case.
Go on line and check it out.

I have seen that one at work. Not too sure on it though. Not a big fan of most of the CM series. I love Thermaltake, they have very nice cases but when you can see the 500R or 600R up close, its hard to deny their beauty.

Now I just need a bit more money for a new CPU/Mobo/RAM and I will be all set. My 850TX Corsair will last for a good time as would my HD5870, until the HD7970 that is.

 

[Welve]

yeah and you can add top mounted fans as well, plus the massive fan on the side. I am more than pleased with the case and I might actually pick up another for my parents (they get the hand-me-downs) because of how simple it was to build in.

 

[gamerk316]

If I were AMD...I would start warming up the lawyers against GloFo.

For what? AMD is only paying for hte good wafers, so they can't exactly complain about the quality of product. Unless they have a supply gurantee in place, AMD is out of luck.

 

[noob2222]

looks like GF is getting dumped, or dumping on AMD.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/106217-manufacturing-bombshell-amd-cancels-28nm-apus-starts-from-scratch-at-tsmc

nice broken wafer. wonder if AMD can convince TSMC to do a full node and drop GF all together. Interesting to see that was caused in the cutting machine (note how the top is cut then broke the entire wafer)

 

[fazers_on_stun]

But at any rate, things are looking good and will look better. TSMC has fab issues and there are no conspiracy theories. I'm confident the engrs are working hard to fix every issue and improve the perf and power.

AMD Reportedly Scraps 28 nm APUs at GlobalFoundries.

Article says (1) AMD has been separating its ties with GF, (2) AMD is extremely unhappy with the performance of its former fab unit to ramp up yields, and (3) if true, then it could delay future processors by at least a year..

You still wish to insist everything is hunkey-dorey between AMD and GF?? Lots of smoke on the web in the last couple of days, and look what happened with Bulldozer with all its smoke about performance right before release..

 

[dogman_1234]

Good for AMD to give GF the boot.

I hope TSMC gives AMD a good yield...even if diffusion takes place in Taiwan,(* which does not please me still.)

 

[gamerk316]

Ouch...

Question: Why even bother with 28nm at this point? Why not just hijack Intels upcomming 22nm node. I mean, that will be done at about the same timeframe...

 

[archibael]

Will it work? We’re dubious. Trinity should be strong enough to anchor AMD’s mainstream notebook parts through 2012, but this cancellation leaves AMD without a new ultra low-power product family at a time when its competitors are heavily focused on providing such solutions. The company’s ability to launch tablet parts or hold the ground it gained in netbooks is very much in question. At the upper end of its product stack, AMD needs a Bulldozer core that delivers the power efficiency and performance the company originally promised, but there’s no such chip on the horizon.

THIS.

A mistake of colossal proportions, given where the market is going. Read simply cannot be this stupid, so I have to assume there are other plans for the low-power market. And it's not too hard to guess what they are.

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Ouch...

Question: Why even bother with 28nm at this point? Why not just hijack Intels upcomming 22nm node. I mean, that will be done at about the same timeframe...

IIRC there are something like 70K Intel employees throughout the world, and only 12K AMD employees, so each AMD employee would have to cover around 6 Intel employees for a successful hijacking 😀..

 

[phatbuddha79]

I gave you a +1 on that comment

fazers_on_stun 11/22/2011 9:20 PM
Hide
Insert quote. Report -1+

Well I guess this puts the AMD community reporter's statement that everything between AMD and GF is hunkey-dorey to rest..