Underground SIG-Labs

How ARM will impact Intel market

The hard battle between Intel and AMD seems to be long way to go. While Intel clearly has the upper hand in client processors and AMD is playing catch-up, there is another battle brewing for PC processors, particularly in notebooks. Here, we will discuss about the battle for the “secondary” processor and how this battle will not pit Intel against AMD, but rather, x86 architecture against ARM. And it’s not looking good for x86.

Dell and lenovo have come out with the “instant” laptop, which has capability to instantly access mail, calender, web without full boot up of the machine. They run a version of the Firefox browser for Web surfing and provides direct connection to Exchange, GroupWise or IMAP/POP3 e-mail systems through direct memory access. Also included is a dedicated document viewer for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files, dedicated Wi-Fi and a VPN for secure connectivity. In essence, what Dell has done with Latitude ON is provide an embedded “smartphone-lite” device that uses the main screen, keyboard, power and memory systems.

What makes the Dell and Lenovo approach interesting is that first, they utilize low-cost, low-power, ARM-based chips adapted from the smartphone industry. Second, they provide dedicated-function processing. And third, each subsystem is capable of being functionally extended, possibly even by third parties through a future API to include additional convenience and protection capabilities.

It is safe to assume that other manufacturers will follow suit and provide coprocessor subsystem in business and higher-end consumer machines—particularly as prices for ARM chips continue to fall. It is also highly likely that additional functionality will be added over time.

Finally, it is apparent that neither Windows nor x86 will be the preferred platforms utilized by these coprocessor subsystems—at least until x86 can match the low cost and low power of ARM (potentially with future Atom chips).

The bottom line: With the potential of one or more coprocessors per PC, ARM has a lucrative path in which to infiltrate the PC market—a market it has never impacted. While it’s unlikely that ARM will displace x86 for the core processor anytime soon, it nevertheless gives ARM a large potential market of many millions of units—a fact not lost on ARM licensees (for example, Texas Instruments, Freescale, Qualcomm and Samsung).

However, the coprocessing subsystems potentially offer another point of machine failure and/or instability, especially in corporate settings where consistency, security and device management is critical. Companies should be careful when and how to deploy these coprocessor-enabled systems until they prove their worth.

source : www.eweek.com

Tags: AMD, arm, arm processor, Dell, intel, lenovo

Nokia N920 with Meego OS will boost mobility roadmap

Rumor of the successor of the Nokia N900 has already been speculated. It is believed that the new tagline will be N9 or N920 which will run under Linux Meego OS. Meego is a new Linux operating system designed from combination of Maemo and Moblin to serve netbook and smartphone. The idea come out from mutual partnership between Intel and Nokia to boost mobile technology by not just for combining two different Linux platforms under one roof, but for its cross-platform support of both Intel and ARM chips, the latter currently popular in mobile devices like Apple’s iPhone.

not just for combining two different Linux platforms under one roof, but for its cross-platform support of both Intel and ARM chips, the latter currently popular in mobile devices like Apple’s iPhone.

I am having N900 in my hand and just after few months, Nokia decide to come out with a new Meego OS. What happen? Is the Maemo 5 OS really a scrap? what will happen to Maemo 6?

They said that the MeeGo will bring many changes. Base system will be updated , packaging will be changed to RPM (not so good but acceptable), Qt instead of GTK+, less Nokia developers. Using Qt, you can write web-enabled applications once and deploy them across desktop, mobile and embedded operating systems without rewriting the source code.

It is said that Nokia N920 will come with a big 4.13” capacitive touchscreen display, thin body, and will not have a physical keyboard. That’s about all that is known about the new device for now.

But don’t expect it anytime soon. The best case scenario for Nokia N920  launch would be around Mobile World Congress 2010 in February, though I doubt that. More likely, we will see it sometime in spring/summer of 2010.

Well for me, Just use whatever Distro you want as long as we are using Linux Kernel , an open source application, which is free for us to explore and explode the potential on mobility technology.

Nique

Tags: intel, maemo 5, meego, moblin, N900, N920, Nokia, Nokia N9

The most admired CPU chassis

Its seems like pentagon is trying to sell their product (not enough money to built Noah`s ship fro 2012, I guest). But, it is just an extraordinary CPU chassis with extraordinary attraction for it. Thermaltake wowed us all with theannouncement of the Level 10, a concept case designed in conjunction with BMW DesignWorks. Rather than a standard aluminum box, the Thermaltake Level 10 would incorporate a central pillar, with individual compartments hanging from it for the motherboard, PSU, optical drives, and hard drives.

As you can see, the production Level 10 is nearly identical to the concept shots we’ve seen earlier. Each compartment on the Level 10 has its own ventilation. The large panels on the lower left cover the motherboard mount, PCI-E cards, GPUs, and so forth. The six slots on the right are hot-swap SATA bays, connected to a large vertical heatsink. The bays have mounts for 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives. The top right box holds three optical drives, and the upper left box holds the power supply.

Tags: BMW Designworks, Core i7, intel, level 10, the best cpu chassis, Thermaltake

CPU clock beat up to 7.0 Ghz : only with AMD

A group named LimitTeam successfully overclocked AMD’s Deneb 45nm Phenom II X4 955 processor (Black Edition) back on April 30, and submitted the results for validation to CPU-Z. During the process, the group used the Asus M4A79T Deluxe motherboard, dubbed as the Asus “multidimensional performance platform” featuring support for an AMD 140W CPU and the AMD 790FX/SB750 chipset. Additionally, the group threw in 4 GB of DDR3 memory from Apacer Technology and a ATI Radeon HD 4800 series graphics card. As a result, the group reached 7.127 GHz, beating the previous score of 6.7 GHz. However, LimitTeam didn’t reveal any specifics in regards to cooling during the overclocking process.

Late last month, AMD said that it managed to hit 7 GHz in “extreme overclocking tests,” more than doubling the original 3.2 GHz clock speeds enjoyed right out of the box. Apparently the CPU can be safely overclocked at home with speeds up to 3.8 GHz; anything greater will need “exotic cooling materials.” AMD’s product manager Brent Barry was noted saying that liquid nitrogen and liquid helium are best suited for high-overclocking environments, the former bringing the temperature down to about -140 degrees and the latter to around -240 degrees. Unfortunately, both solutions are somewhat dangerous to use. “This is fairly insane, science experiment stuff,” Davis said.

Earlier in February, Team Finland reached 6.7 GHz with an early version of the Phenom II X4 955 chip using a similar configuration. However, neither LimitTeam nor Team Finland has overcome to the world-wide #1 score listed by CPU-Z. Clocking in at 8.1 GHz, a user simply named “duck” overclocked Intel’s 65nm Cedar Mill Pentium 4 631 processor back on July 20, 2007 using the Asus “Commando” motherboard and 2 GB of DDR2 memory.

Tags: AMD, amd overclock, intel, overclock

Intel Core i7 processor : Will AMD Deneb processor be able to shoot it down?

Intel has come out new brand named processor, called Intel Core i7 Processor and will be released around mid of November 2008. In fact, i7 processor in not something new, it use the Nehalem processor architecture, which we previously called as Core 2 Quad processor.

Other details include a TDP of 130W for all three models and a total of 8MB of L3 cache. As previous rumors indicated, the upcoming Core i7 920 mainstream CPU will be offered with a price tag of USD 284, while the other two will be sold for USD 562 and USD 999. These prices are available in thousand unit quantities, which means that the street price tag will most likely be higher. Unfortunately there are no details regarding a specific release date, but if you have already set your eyes on one of the above-mentioned units, you should prepare a strong budget, as you will also need to acquire one of the upcoming LGA1366-supporting mobos and probably some DDR3 modules.

Although the first Nehalem processors to be released will be formally branded as Intel Core i7 processors, the i7 identifier will in fact be one of several new identifiers in the Nehalem product line up to be released over the next year. It seems the Intel Core will be the main branding in the family with the following identifier added in to help consumers determine easily what feature set and capability a particular processor will have. Model numbers will also help identify each chip. Referring to the name i7, the more technical name has been choosen compare with previous brand;core 2, core 2 duo, core 2 quad. However, we do are quite sure that this new processor will create even more confusion for average PC buyers.

Whilst, AMD also has fight in the battle with new born processor. Taking from brightest star in the constellation Cygnus and one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle, AMD call it as Deneb Processor. Although we know that it will come late in the game, but there is at least something that AMD fans can hope for. K10.5 AMD’s 45nm Deneb quad-core part can hit more than 3.2GHz.

Two Deneb 45nm 125W AM2+/DDR2vwill be launched in January 2009. DVTs will be available in October. 125W AM3/DDR2 EVT samples are expected to be available in August and there will be no AM2+/DDR2 EVT samples available at all.

The AM2+/DDR2 Deneb 45nm processors have been specified to support only dual-plane motherboards. These processors will exceed current specifications when paired with a single-plane board. AMD is also recommends that ODMs do NOT support these two AM2+/DDR2 Deneb parts on any single-plane boards.

Subsequent Deneb 45nm AM3 based processors are not expected to carry these same limitations.

AMDs current internal launch plan is stating that AM2+/DDR2 125W BXS is to launch January 8, 2009 @ CES – AM3/DDR3 95W BXS to launch sometime in February 2009 – AM3/DDR3 125W BXS to launch March 3, 2009 @ CeBIT.

This will be the first time that AMD has used the FX moniker in quite some time. Enthusiasts are hoping for AMD to differentiate itself, but more than likely, the FX release will introduce slightly higher clock frequencies and larger caches.

We do hope that the competition between Intel and AMD will go on as for us to enjoy a great achievement in Processing technology in the future.

Tags: AMD, AMD Deneb, intel, intel core i7

AMD splitting into two! and owned by Arab ; a joke?

AMD has announced their operation is going to split into two companies; one will concentrate on designing and enhancing microprocessor and another one will be responsible in manufacturing it.  It seems to be the greatest effort in order to maintain competition with their neighbor, Intel.

In addition, the company said two Abu Dhabi investment firms would inject at least $6 billion into the two companies, mostly to finance a new chip factory that A.M.D. planned to build near Albany and to upgrade one of the company’s existing plants in Dresden, Germany.

A.M.D., based in Sunnyvale, Calif., makes graphics, computer and server processors. It will own 44.4 percent of the new entity, which has been temporarily named the Foundry Company, a reference to the technical term for a chip factory. The Advanced Technology Investment Company will own the rest.

Advanced Technology, which was formed by the Abu Dhabi government, has promised to put up $2.1 billion immediately and contribute $3.6 billion to $6 billion more to build or upgrade chip fabrication plants, also known as fabs. A.M.D. said the two companies would share voting control equally. Another Company, Called Mubadala Development Corporation, willbuy another 518 million dollar share.

Wow! it is quite a big surprise when the guys from Arab are really interested in  Advanced Technology, Not only football and Entertainment. Pretty sure that these arab people got trillions of Dollar from stupid unreasonable increase of oil price.

Tags: abu dhabi, AMD, AMD arab, intel, mubadala

New Intel Core i7 processor : Geared to shutdown AMD Deneb processor….

Intel has come out new brand named processor, called Intel Core i7 Processor and will be released around mid of November 2008. In fact, i7 processor in not something new, it use the Nehalem processor architecture(rename from Penryn and Yorkfield), which we previously called as Core 2 Quad processor.

Other details include a TDP of 130W for all three models and a total of 8MB of L3 cache. As previous rumors indicated, the upcoming Core i7 920 mainstream CPU will be offered with a price tag of USD 284, while the other two will be sold for USD 562 and USD 999. These prices are available in thousand unit quantities, which means that the street price tag will most likely be higher. Unfortunately there are no details regarding a specific release date, but if you have already set your eyes on one of the above-mentioned units, you should prepare a strong budget, as you will also need to acquire one of the upcoming LGA1366-supporting mobos and probably some DDR3 modules.

Although the first Nehalem processors to be released will be formally branded as Intel Core i7 processors, the i7 identifier will in fact be one of several new identifiers in the Nehalem product line up to be released over the next year. It seems the Intel Core will be the main branding in the family with the following identifier added in to help consumers determine easily what feature set and capability a particular processor will have. Model numbers will also help identify each chip. Referring to the name i7, the more technical name has been choosen compare with previous brand;core 2, core 2 duo, core 2 quad. However, we do are quite sure that this new processor will create even more confusion for average PC buyers.

Whilst, AMD also has fight in the battle with new born processor. Taking from brightest star in the constellation Cygnus and one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle, AMD call it as Deneb Processor. Although we know that it will come late in the game, but there is at least something that AMD fans can hope for. K10.5 AMD’s 45nm Deneb quad-core part can hit more than 3.2GHz.

Two Deneb 45nm 125W AM2+/DDR2 processors will launch in January 2009. DVTs will be available in October. 125W AM3/DDR2 EVT samples are expected to be available in August and there will be no AM2+/DDR2 EVT samples available at all.

The AM2+/DDR2 Deneb 45nm processors have been specified to support only dual-plane motherboards. These processors will exceed current specifications when paired with a single-plane board. AMD is also recommends that ODMs do NOT support these two AM2+/DDR2 Deneb parts on any single-plane boards.

Subsequent Deneb 45nm AM3 based processors are not expected to carry these same limitations.

AMDs current internal launch plan is stating that AM2+/DDR2 125W BXS is to launch January 8, 2009 @ CES – AM3/DDR3 95W BXS to launch sometime in February 2009 – AM3/DDR3 125W BXS to launch March 3, 2009 @ CeBIT.

This will be the first time that AMD has used the FX moniker in quite some time. Enthusiasts are hoping for AMD to differentiate itself, but more than likely, the FX release will introduce slightly higher clock frequencies and larger caches.

We do hope that the competition between Intel and AMD will go on as for us to enjoy a great achievement in Processing technology in the future.

Tags: AMD, AMD Deneb, intel, intel core i7

CPU battle - is AMD really going to die?

I still remember somewhere in middle of 2000 when I bought my first PC with my own money ( still 19 that time), the latest AMDk6-II 500 MHz. Really awesome. And I ran it with Windows 2000 (Win2k) since I still blind with Linux during that time. That was my first PC and I really love it. I don`t care if the blower make jumbo jet sound or even the CPU can cook egg 2 or 3 times as long as I can get rid of Intel PC (bad experience when my father bought me stupid 486 with win 3.1).  As the time goes along, so do my PC as well, from Thunderbird to Sempron and the latest AMD Athlon X2-dual  core (waiting for phenom X4 series ). All generation dammed good. Even the market penetration done by AMD (Anti- Microsoft Development ….heheheh)  was very very great until the middle of 2006.

The AMD performance start shrinking. Why?..People say it is because of the huge debt due to big acquisition of the Fat Uncle Bob maker, ATI  Company, and some from other side claim that AMD fail to deliver Barcelona or Opteron Quad-core processor on time. Not even that, AMD also now suffer of the battle among the Top Management due to their performance recently. Poor Ruiz. Undoubtedly, for me, AMD really need ATI in order to boost their track on the game-line compare with Intel. But, is it really a right time just to get the uncertain result from the acquisition together with a bulk loan from Ah Long (shark loan)? Just to remind, Not all PC user are gamers and not All are really highly dependent to great workstation. Most are simple user. And they really not bother about highly giga performance PC.

Another de facto is that most of the users are really comfortable when they heard about intel, compared to AMD. From day one, everybody knows that AMD is an electronic boiler, able cook while operating. And most still think of that till now even though AMD has made a great step to overcome the ‘boiling CPU’ issue.Why?because AMD really not get close to the simple users to sell their new ‘chilled’ CPU series, instead they fight for high end performance features. That is the problem actually. Just do not expect users to go to amd website or anandtech or even tomshardware website to read about new AMD ‘chilled’ CPU series.

From the bottom of my heart, I do believe that AMD will sustain to compete the giant shrek, Intel.  But how long they can survive is depend on their road-map. Whether they really want to gain on gamers and workstation segment, which is really niche market or they have to do something to change people`s mentally about their product performance and quality (if they really have).

Why Dell, or HP, Acer, IBM, Compaq really hard to change to AMD processor? Just think - Politics? performance? friendship? monopoly?…

‘The future is fusion’ - and a lot more confusing……..

Tags: AMD, amd die, amd laptop, intel, intel laptop