Earlier this summer AMD announced its first hexa-core processor, code-named Istanbul, for servers. AMD's new Opteron processor stood up a lot better to Intel's powerful Nehalem-based Xeon processors. With desktop processors AMD is still no way near of competing against Intel in terms of raw performance, but in an attempt to spear performance of its desktop platform AMD is said to announce a hexa-core model for the Socket AM3 platform.
The processor is code-named Thuban and will not appear before after the end of the year. The processor that is expected to launch in Q3 2010 will be compatible with the Socket AM3 platform and sport an integrated dual-channel DDR3 memory controller.
Most likely the processor will use a design similar to Istanbul, which would turn Thuban into a Phenom II processor with two extra cores and extended cache of a total 9MB (3MB L2 + 6MB L3).
The clock frequencies are still unknown. Thuban will not be alone though, as the launch is as late as Q3 2010. Before that, in Q2, Intel is expected to announce its hexa-core Gulftown processor, which will sport 32nm technology unlike Thuban's 45nm SOI process.
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AMD to announce hexa-core desktop processor next year
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