Source: Tom's Hardware UK – Keywords: Phenom_9700, Spider_Platform, 790FX
Categories: Hardware
AMD's Chipsets - 790FX, 790X and 770
Alongside the new Phenom processor, AMD is also introducing three new chipsets for the AM2+ socket, all of which are compatible with the PCI Express 2.0 standard. The biggest of the three chipset versions, the 790 FX, supports up to four graphics cards running in a Crossfire-X configuration. This functionality will only be unlocked in January of 2008 through a new driver. AMD promises that the four-card configuration will offer three times the performance of a single card.
| 790FX | 790X | 770 | |
| Hypertransport | 3.0 2.0 | 3.0 2.0 | 3.0 2.0 |
| PCIe 2.0 | 2x 16X 1x 16X + 2x 8X 4x 8X | 1x 16X 2x 8X | 1x 16X |
| Crossfire X | max. 4 Cards | 2 Cards | not supported |
| Code Name | RD790 | RD780 | RX780 |
In addition to the PCIe lanes for the graphics cards, the chipset offers six additional PCIe lanes to attach other devices such as a network adapter etc.
For now, the chipsets will be paired with the SB600 southbridge. Starting in January of 2008, the motherboard manufacturers will be able to use AMD’s newer SB700 southbridge in its place. This brings the following changes to the table:
| SB600 | SB700 | |
| SATA | 4 | 6 |
| IDE | 1 | none |
| USB | 10 | 12 |
One of the most noteworthy features of the AMD chipset is its low power consumption. The chipset is rated at a TDP of only 10 Watts, which is due in large part to its 65 nm production process. For reference, Intel’s chipsets are rated at a TDP of 26 Watts and use a 90 nm process.
The pricing of the chipsets is another highlight, as boards built around the smallest version will be available starting as low as €69.
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"Intel, since the chip giant has already announced that its current high-end platform X38 will be incompatible to the next generation of high-end CPUs at the beginning of next year."
I'd rather have a slower processor but not have to rebuy the 3 of the most expensive components (CPU, mobo, and RAM) every time I want to upgrade something. That's why I've stuck with AMD for the last few years. Can't wait to drop a couple of Phenom FXs in to my 4x4 platform and have 8 processing cores.
Not so sure about forthcoming compatibility.
What is going to happen when AMD shortly moves to 45nm processors with DDR3 memory controllers?
unless AMD are going to put both DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers on their 45nm processors or make them in both DDR2 and DDR3 versions then you will have to change you're ram, motherboard and processor to go 45nm.(that didn't happen with intel)
Unless motherboard makers put both DDR2 and DDR3 slots on current boards although the latter wouldn't be supported until 45nm come in.(can't see that happening though).
why do the companies have to be so selfish with this incompatable SSE thingy....
P21, that table isn't really taking the quad core part into account... because look, in things like supreme commander its quite a bit faster... (which is important to me...)
LOL at the .1% extra value for money compared to the q6600, AMD clearly did that to annoy intel...
Well seen as though thats a brand new chipset as well wouldn't it be a little foolish to expect full performance straight out of the box ?
I think these chips have more to come, thats an engineering sample and the mainboards got a chipset with undeveloped drivers.
I say give it a month for the nvidia chipset....... and retest.
Intels @4Ghz OC on air... AMD is on @3Ghz OC on air... Oh dear...
I can see why they need 4x Crossfire boards given the lack luster performance of the new ATI cards... ATI seem to be struggling since their Cope-de-grace with the X19xx series...
AMD clearly has a good design (architecture) but the process technology is their achilles heal. They need 4Mb+ L3 cache, high K transistor process, and 45nm like yesterday!!
As a bit of an AMD fanboy (I'm on a dual Opteron rig just now) I hate to see whats happening to them now!!
Bob
Bob if AMD was having 4mb+ L3 cache, high K transistor process and 45nm it will be twice expensive as the intel's solutions.
.. I'm currently on a AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+.. and it's a bit overclocked(from 2.6 GHz to 3.01 Ghz) ..I'm on water although. Wish AMD be back on top!
P.S. But it will be better
I think for server setups this HT 3.0 is gonna shine. More so if you want to build a super-computer system. The bandwidth gains are enormous. But the actual core performance..sorry AMD, but this is just a little disappointing. Intel's current stock is already ahead of you. Perhaps 45nm products will address this (and allow for more L3 cache).
Overall, I like the way AMD has gone for compatibility and performance. The price is phenomenal and the ease of implementation will ensure downtime during upgrades is kept to a minimum. It's easy to under-estimate just how hard that is to pull off.
One of the CPU-Z pics shows a higher Vcore? Come on lads..who'se been naughty!
p.s. I would.