14 DAY TRIAL // In the last few years Intel has remained unchallenged in the enthusiast-grader processor market, but this is set to change in 2011 as AMD is determined to bring back its high performance FX processor line, these chips following to be based on the new Bulldozer architecture.
Just a few years ago, when AMD's K8-based processors were kings and Intel's Pentium 4 struggled to keep up with Athlon CPUs, FX was the name used by AMD for its highest performing chips.
Although expensive, these were the fastest processors available on the market, overclockers everywhere relying on these CPUs to shatter world records.
However, when the Conroe architecture (used in Core 2 Duo chips) was introduced, AMD was forced to suspend the use of the “FX” identifier since it couldn't compete with Intel in the high-performance sector and started referring to its top of the line, multiplier unlocked, CPUs as “Black Edition” parts.
This decision was taken since the Sunnyvale-based company didn't want the “FX” branding to lose its meaning.
But it seems like “FX” chips are set to make a comeback, as the company has decided to bring this name back from the dead and to use it in two of its upcoming Bulldozer-based “Zambezi” chips, according to the DonanimHaber website.
Supposedly, these processors will be called AMD Vision Black FX and AMD Vision Ultimate FX, the first featuring an 8-core design while the latter brings six processing cores.
Expected to be launched in April, Zambezi CPUs will be built using the 32nm manufacturing process and are made out of Bulldozer modules.
Each module is comprised of up to 2048kB L2 cache, a 16kB 4-way L1 data cache per core, a 2-way 64kB L1 instruction cache per module, two dedicated integer cores, with 2 ALU and 2 AGU, and two symmetrical 128-bit FMAC floating point pipelines.
All Zambezi chips will use the upcoming AM3+ socket that is backwards compatible with AM3 CPUs. (via TechPowerUp)