ICT magazine

Computer processor developer AMD Far East has released what it calls its latest computing platform in Malaysia, codenamed “Spider”, incorporating the industry’s first quad-core processor.

“Spider is targeted especially at PC gamers, media and content creators as well as PC enthusiasts,” said country manager, Abby Goh, adding that AMD plans to release additional products on the Spider platform in 2008.

Goh also said the new platform is intended to efficiently deliver the next-generation PC and high-performance gaming at lower prices to a mass audience.

The Spider platform comprises three new main components: The AMD Phenom quad-core processor, the ATI Radeon HD 3800 graphics processors and the AMD 7-series chipset.

AMD believes the new combination behind their latest computing platform sets new performance standards offering energy-efficient, scalable computing and gaming experience not seen in the market before.

AMD’s South Pacific Asia technology director Tan See Ghee said the Phenom processor contained its own integrated memory controller, additional memory cache and enhanced management of input/output traffic.

“This allows a 32 per cent overall performance improvement against similar dual-core processors in the company’s own benchmark tests,” Tan said.

Spider’s second component consists of two new Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), the HD3850 and the HD3870. These GPUs are ready for Quad-CrossfireX (software that runs two cards together for almost double the graphics performance) and for Microsoft’s graphic adaptor called DirectX10.1. Unified Video Decoder also ensures platform efficiency and good image quality.

The combination of these components enables users to enjoy more immersive gaming environments.

Finally, Spider’s foundation is in a new 7-series chipset that has 42 PCI-Express lanes and Multi-Monitor CrossfireX support. It also supports the new AMD Overdrive software, which allows automatic over-clocking of processor speeds. “Overall, this means that previous performance is now doubled to 16GB a second of bi-directional bandwidth by the introduction of AMD’s new tool called PCI Express 2.0,” Tan said.

However, the downside to higher performance is increased power demand.

“The AMD 7-series chipset is the company’s first discrete 65-nanometre one to deliver energy-efficiency and higher performance using only 10 watts compared to others that use up to 25 watts,” said Tan.

Power optimisation tools, ATI PowerPlay and Cool’n’Quiet technology, allow for better desktop management of power across different computing uses such as intensive gaming, light gaming and general use.