AMD unveils latest x86 Opterons

AMD today unveiled the latest additions to its x86 Opteron processor range, which can scale up to eight-way servers and workstations.

According to the firm, the 852 and 252 chips feature performance-enhancing features including support for SSE3 software instructions, and better HyperTransport performance through an increase in bus frequency to 1GHz.

AMD added that servers and workstations featuring the latest Opterons, which scale up to support eight-way systems, will soon feature its PowerNow technology with optimised power management.

"This technology helps to minimise overall power consumption for enterprise IT and workstation customers by decreasing strain on data centre cooling and ventilation systems," said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD's Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group.

AMD also announced its AMD-8132 HyperTransport PCI-X 2.0 tunnel, scheduled to ship for servers and workstations this month.

The latest addition to its AMD-8000 series of chipsets, the 8132 tunnel brings high-performance PCI-X 2.0 connectivity to Opteron processor-based systems with increased throughput and enhanced HyperTransport technology.

Opteron models 852 and 252 will be available to partners within 30 days. Volume server solutions based on the new processors are scheduled to be available this quarter. The 852 is priced at $1,514, and the 252 at $851, both in 1,000-unit quantities.

A version for single-processor workstations and entry-level servers, the 152, is scheduled to be available on 30 April priced at $637 in 1,000-unit quantities.