Finally, Details on AMD's Hammer CPUs 13
breadbot writes: "AMD has released details (PDF) of their 64-bit xHammer (for values of x such as Claw and Sledge) line of x86-compatible processors. Extreme Tech has some commentary as well. Glueless SMP, integrated memory controller -- risky, exciting stuff, but it leaves VIA only a South Bridge to build. Oh, and I wonder who will make the HyperTransport/Integrated AGP 8x chips ..."
Very cool.. ;) (Score:3, Insightful)
I think they were stealing pages from the future of the DEC Alpha (It also was to have the northbridge integrated). It actually makes sense to do a good northbridge inside of the CPU, especially because that's the part that, if it isn't right, causes the most trouble. Via knows that story well, as they always manage to get beaten for raw chipset performance, if all things are equal otherwise.
The best part about this is they don't have to wory as much about developing SMP chipsets. Via doesn't generally bother with making SMP chipsets. So if they are going to develop their own SMP chipsets, they might as well make it easier on themselves while they are integrating the northbridge anyways.
I just want one of those systems with 4 or 8 CPUs and a boatload of RAM. Does anybody know what the various OS support will be like?
Re:Very cool.. ;) (Score:1)
Re:Very cool.. ;) (Score:2)
Nonsense, the integrated northbridge allows for the transfer of functionality to an external northbirdge if someone would implement one. The only thing is how can you beat a northbridge running at the full cpu clock?
OS Support (Score:1)
One thing I noticed is that this sounds similar to NUMA. I wonder if we're going to start seeing patent infringements coming out of the woodwork...
Re:Very cool.. ;) (Score:1)
Well, Compaq has been an investor in AMD for years. They licensed the Alpha bus to AMD for the Athlon. Perhaps other things were licensed.
Dumb as a box of hammers.... (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:1)