AMD roadmap for 2008

[Andreas G]

AMD's roadmap for 2008 has slipped out and mentions few real news, but some interesting pieces of information. First of all, AMD will focus more on tri- and quad-cores and less on dual-cores, much like Intel (besides the tri-cores of course). AMD will severely reduce the number of Sempron, Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 models, and next quarter will only feature three Sempron models (LE-1300, LE-1250, LE-1200), two Athlon 64 models (LE-1660, LE-1640) and a mere seven Athlon 64 models (4400+ to 5600+). This means that the two high-end Athlon 64 X2 (6400+ and 6000+ will disappear).

This is far from surprising since these are based on the quite old 90nm core, and not the 65nm used by the remaining models. It makes little sense keeping the 90nm node alive just because of these two processors. Killing off 90nm also means that the FX-models will be upgraded in Q2. Phenom FX-82 is the name of the successor. Depending on the success of the FX-82, an additional FX-model might be launched in Q3. 

As most of you probably already know, AMD will introduce the tri-core Phenom 8000 series next month. Phenom 8400 (2.1GHz) and 8600 (2.3GHz) will make an appearance in computers from HP and Dell, and will be replaced by 8450 and 8650 in Q3 when the B3 stepping is set to arrive. Along with the updated tri-cores, AMD will launch a new model also sporting the B3 steppin, but not the xx5x name; Phenom 8700.  

In Q2, we will also get to play with Phenom 9700 and 9900, and possibly even a third model which remains unnamed at this time. The Phenom 9500 and 9600 will be replaced by the 9550 and 9650, B3 stepping. Same goes for the lesser known energy efficient model 9100e, which will be replaced by the 9150e. And, there's absolutely no proof of the rumored overclocking stepping dubbed B4.

All Athlon X2 BE models will be replaced/renamed 4x50e and two additional models will be launched; 6250 and 6050. These are based on the much anticipated Kuma core.

The roadmap does not speak of Q4, but that is when AMD is suppose to begin shipping 45nm Shanghai processors. Desktop revision should be expected until Q1, 2009.