14 DAY TRIAL // AMD plans to introduce some new processors in 2008 and the first half of 2009, all based on the 45-nanometer micro-architecture. According to the company's unreleased roadmap, AMD will release two new 45-nanometer Phenom X4 CPUs based on Deneb silicon. The chips are expected to work at core frequencies ranging from 2.5 to 2.8GHz and will feature an L3 cache of 6MB.
Moreover, the chip manufacturer will publish the ordering deadline for its 125W Phenom X4 9750 that will be replaced by a lower-power counterpart (95 watts) with the same specifications. The new SKU is expected to hit the shelves early next year or even in late 2008.
Advanced Micro Devices will also launch a new triple-core processor called Phenom X3 8550. The chip is alleged to work at core frequencies of 2.2GHz, and will be put on the market during the third quarter of 2008. More tri-core processors are expected to arrive during the fourth quarter, in order to save the company from Intel's aggressive Core 2 Duo chips.
Next on the roadmap, the chip manufacturer will start producing its low-wattage Phenom X4 9350e quad-core processor built on Agena silicon. The chips will be available during the third quarter, although the company did not mention a definite release date. The low-power 8450e parts, based on the Toliman core will enter mass-production during the second quarter, but they will not be publicly available until the third quarter of 2008.
Last on the 2008 roadmap, the chip manufacturer plans to release another low-power CPU, but its specifications are currently unknown.
The next processor will arrive in the first half of 2009 and will be based on Propus silicon. All the 45-nanometer processors manufactured by AMD are currently undergoing EVT testing and motherboard manufacturers will receive the first sampling units in August this year. According to AMD's manufacturing partners, the 45nm Phenom X4 chips will hit the retailers' shelves by the end of November.