NVIDIA and TSMC: 500 million processors Radeon X1650XT unveiled soon Intel to cut prices Core 2 Duo with really 2MB of cache AMD to cut prices Intel to demonstrate 4x4 Core

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NVIDIA and TSMC: 500 million processors   Posted on 24/10/2006 at 20:05 by Nicolas - source: Business Wire

	NVIDIA and TSMC celebrated today the shipment of the 500 millionth processor designed by NVIDIA and manufactured by TSMC. This collaboration started in 1998 with the Riva 128ZX at a time when there was some trouble with shipments of Riva 128 produced by SGS Thomson. Since that date, most of the graphic chips and chipsets designed by NVIDIA were produced by TSMC. This collaboration isn't apparently about to stop since it will also be the case of the next generation of GPU. Beyond this exchange of compliments, it is important to point out that TSMC also produces chips for ATI. Also, during the past few years NVIDIA looked to reduce the dependence on TSMC by working with IBM but also by keeping an eye on UMC.

Radeon X1650XT unveiled soon   Posted on 24/10/2006 at 19:53 by Nicolas - source: DailyTech

	As previously announced, ATI will release a second 80 nm GPU next week additionally to the recent Radeon X1950Pro. The Radeon X1650XT (RV560) core and GDDR3 memory (256 MB) will be respectively clocked at 575 MHz and 675 MHz. It will feature 8 Vertex shader units, 24 FPS pipelines, 8 ROPs and an internal CrossFire connector. ATI should finally have a mid-range product able to compete with NVIDIA's. However, there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm from ATI's partners. This reminds us NVIDIA's discretion during the release of the NV28. This is probably due to the anticipation of the imminent release of the next generation of GPU by the competitor. History is a constant succession of new beginnings…

Intel to cut prices   Posted on 24/10/2006 at 19:12 by Nicolas

	Intel has updated its official processor price list: - Pentium D 915 : $113 (-15%) - Pentium D 820 : $93 (-18%) - Celeron D 360 : $69 (-18%) - Celeron D 356 : $59 (-20%) - Celeron D 355 : $59 (-14%) - Celeron D 352 : $54 (-22%) - Celeron D 351 : $54 (-8%) - Celeron D 347 : $49 - Celeron D 346 : $49 (-9%) - Celeron D 341 : $49 (-9%) - Celeron D 336 : $44 (-10%) - Celeron D 331 : $39 (-11%) - Celeron D 326 : $34 (-13%) - Celeron M 450 : $134 - Celeron M 440 : $107 - Celeron M 430 : $86 (-36%) - Celeron M 420 : $86 (-20%) - Core Duo L2400 : $284 (-10%) Unfortunately, the very popular Core 2 Duo processors aren't concerned by this fall in prices; reductions are generally moderated except for the Celeron M430. It seems that like AMD Intel wants to restore its margins.

Core 2 Duo with really 2MB of cache   Posted on 24/10/2006 at 00:39 by Nicolas - source: HKEPC

	Intel will release soon a new processors revision based on the Conroe or Merom cores and only using 2 MB of cache L2: the Core 2 Duo E6300 (1.86GHz/1066MHz FSB) and E6400 (2.13GHz/1066MHz FSB). All current processors in shops are physically equipped with 4 MB even if sometime only 2 MB are activated. This increases productions costs as the cache represents a significant share of the number of transistors. The stepping will change from B2 to L2 and the CPUID from 6F6 to 6F2. With these new revisions, Intel will be able to better compete with AMD which already produces versions really embedding 1 MB or 512KB of cache. Now the question is: will this reduction of the production cost have an impact on the manufacturer profits or on the end price?

AMD to cut prices   Posted on 24/10/2006 at 00:01 by Nicolas

	AMD has just updated the processor price list : - Athlon 64 FX-62 : $713 (-13,8%) - Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE : $240( -13%) - Athlon 64 X2 4200+ EE : $187 (-13%) - Athlon 64 X2 3800+ EE : $152 (-13,6%) - Athlon 64 3800+ : $108 (-3,6%) - Turion 64 X2 TL-60 : $263 (-25,7%) - Turion 64 X2 TL-56 : $220 (-16,3%) - Turion 64 X2 TL-52 : $184 (-16,4%) - Turion 64 X2 TL-50 : $154 (-16,3%) The only significant price cuts are the Turion 64 X2 and the Athlon 64 FX-62 which remains quite expensive ($713). We noticed a new Sempron 3800+ and the disappearance of the Sempron 2800+ (intermediate prices are unchanged). Finally, the most interesting update is that the Athlon 64 X2 Energy Efficient prices are now equivalent to the standard versions. This is probably due to the Athlon 64 X2 65nm imminent release. The power consumption of this processor will be 65W like the EE.

Intel to demonstrate 4x4 Core   Posted on 24/10/2006 at 00:01 by Nicolas - source: ZDNet

	Intel made the demonstration of a quad-CPU configuration based on Tigerton quad-cores processors. Even if this server is a pre-series and that the application used us is amongst those who do not tolerate error calculations (it was SunGard, a financial modelling program), the Tigerton which will be the first processor using the core architecture under the Xeon MP denomination, won't be available before the third quarter 2007. For those who would be content with only 2x4 cores, Intel has scheduled the release of the Clovertown, a Xeon quad core for bi-CPU stations at the beginning of next year.