''Future AMD64 processors are also hotheads''

X-bit Labs reports that AMD will also have a few hot processors in future, the problem that Intel is now experiencing with his Prescotts. They have been told by sources close to AMD his partners that AMD is going to use new power requirements for motherboard which support future AMD64 CPUs like a Athlon 64 4000+, and the Athlon 64 FX-55. These will problably be made using the 90nm process.

Changes are necessary for mainboards set to come in the second half of 2004. According to currently available details, maximum current (IDD) of future 64-bit processors from AMD will be 80A, while maximum thermal power will be 105W. These are mandatory requirements for mainboards in the second half of the year. The requirements are only for Socket 939 mainboards, as 754-pin and 940-pin products have very limited future, as AMD roadmap for 2004 revealed.

Apparently, AMD’s 90nm chips will have Vcore at 1.20V – 1.35V, in contrast to current core voltage of 1.40 – 1.55V for 64-bit chips. The first 90nm chips are expected to hit 2.60GHz, but AMD currently does not specify the top speed bin for its new CPUs.

Intel's Prescott 3.60GHz processors are expected to dissipate up to 103W of heat early next year.

Before its 90nm chips emerge, AMD will bring out some new versions of its current 0.13 micron chips. The new CG revision targeted to be in production in late Q1 2004 will resolve some issues with current AMD64 performance-mainstream and high-end processors, such as 2T DRAM timing enhancements to enable desktop customers to achieve higher density and/or higher speed memory (the change may be adored by overclockers) and removal of requirement for use of identical DIMMs for the 2nd and the 3rd DIMMs in 3-DIMM mainboards. There will be CPUID change to “00000F4AH” as well as OPN change for the new processors.

Source: X-bit Labs