The company also announced the evolution of the AMD64 platform

Jun 2, 2006 14:10 GMT  ·  By

Shortly after the Live! PC platform, AMD announced in a press release the details about the future of AMD64 and the company's plans for a new processing platform.

"In 2003, AMD started down a path to reinventing the microprocessor industry with the introduction of our AMD64 architecture," said Chairman and CEO Hector Ruiz.

"Today's announcements represent AMD's future - and a view into the great global corporation we are well on our way to creating," Ruiz added.

In this way, the second largest processor producer in the world announced the plans for the "4x4" platform, aimed at consumers who demand the highest-performing PCs. This will feature a four-core, multi-socket processor configuration uniquely possible via AMD's Direct Connect Architecture and will be designed to be upgraded to eight total processor cores when AMD launches quad-core processors in 2007.

Regarding the evolution of the AMD64 platform, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) Phil Hester unveiled AMD's next-generation architecture for server and desktop processors, and a new chip design for future mobile platforms.

These next generation processors will be built using AMD's advanced 65nm Silicon-on-Insulator process, and include a broad range of functionality and micro-architectural improvements

AMD expects to increase the performance-per-watt of today's AMD Opteron processor-powered servers by approximately 60 percent through 2007, and by approximately 150 percent through 2008.

AMD's new mobile design is planned for the second half of 2007, and includes key architectural advancements allowing for increased power efficiency and battery life in AMD processor-powered mobile platforms.

One improvement increases the ability for future AMD dual-core mobile chips to dynamically power one or both cores on or off, and subsequently throttle the chip's HyperTransport technology bandwidth, depending on the notebook's current state and running applications.

Aside from these innovations, AMD demonstrated 65nm products from its newest Fab 36 facility in Dresden. The Sunnyvale company also announced that its transition to 45nm technology is accelerating. AMD's plan is to begin initial volume production of 45nm 18 months after initial 65nm production, currently anticipated to be in the mid-2008 time frame.