AMD's Dual-core Athlon 64 X2 reviewed

ChocolateJesus writes "Weeks after formally announcing its dual-core Athlon X2 desktop processor, reviews are finally trickling out. The Tech Report's coverage tests two flavors of the Athlon 64 X2 against a whopping 17 competitors, including AMD and Intel's fastest single- and dual-core offerings. They've even thrown in a handful of dual-processor systems (and dual-core, dual-processor systems) for good measure. Testing focuses on multi-threaded applications, and the X2s deliver remarkable performance. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that unlike Intel's dual-core Pentiums, AMD's X2s consume no more power than single-core chips." Looks like this story has come out of embargo - if you've find more reviews, post them in comments.

I'll wait for the next version...

[Eagle5596]

While the AMD 64 X2 Dualcore is impressive, I am still waiting for the AMD 69 XXX Hardcore myself.

Sorry, it just had to be said.

Re:Mmm.... dual core.

[maharg]

forget longer pipelines, it's girth that really counts

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Cooling

[0x461FAB0BD7D2]

Easy. Multi-threaded electricity.

Re:Redsigning your applications.

[natrius]

What a lot of people dont realize (Including a lot of programmers). That a lot of applications are not multithreaded. Thus wont get the speed advantage of the Duel-Core processor.

Correct. Instead of executing the code in parallel, both cores will fight to the death for the privilege. Since only one core survives, you don't really get much benefit from duel-core processors.

Re:market for this?

[Blue-Footed Boobie]

SERVERS!

Nothing sexier than a 16slot Blade server running Dual-Core Opterons. Equivelent of 32 cpus in 5u of space.

MMMmmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...SEXY!

Re:market for this?

[masklinn]

Even 16 slot blade servers running octo dualcore Opterons systems?

YeS!

[fredan]

An 32-bit comparison of an 64-bit processor. This is exactly what I look for when I need to know which cpu to buy...

Highlander!

[Anonymous Coward]

There can only be one core!

Longhorn

[yabos]

Have you seen the specs required for Longhorn!

Re:Redsigning your applications.

[UrgleHoth]

Let me guess, if one gets hurt, is it only a flash wound?

Re:Cooling

[Anonymous Coward]

Close, it's the quantum nature of the electrons; each core shares all it's electons. In core 0 a quantum filter is applied so computations are done on spin up electrons; core 1 uses spin down. In order to move larger numbers of cores you have to use something with more than two states -- QCD confinment makes it tricky to get the necessary free quarks. That, however, is just an engineering issue and we'll soon be able get cpu's in any color you want.

Re:Cooling

[smittyoneeach]

I knew there was something to that whole super-string theory business...

Re:Does dual core == 2xProcessor or hybrid?

[Anonymous Coward]

It'd be like trying to mate an orange tree to a potato plant.

or maybe a tomato plant with a tobacco plant?

Re:Server's slow, but we have a mirror

[arose]

Does it run on the other core? ;)

Re:Server's slow, but we have a mirror

[bach37]

Apparently it does, as it too is slashdotted. :)

Re:I'll wait for the next version...

[Prof.Phreak]

Beh, I'm waiting for AMD X3 86 myself.