AMD Istanbul Six-Core Server Processor

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) announced it recently completed live public demonstrations of its upcoming six-core 45nm AMD Opteron™ processor, codenamed “Istanbul.” Scheduled to launch in the second half of this year, “Istanbul” is expected to be the only x86 six-core processor available for two- and four-socket systems and higher.

The demonstration featured a live, seamless upgrade of a system based on 45nm Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors to “Istanbul” processors. “Istanbul” is socket- and thermal-compatible with currently shipping AMD Opteron processor-based systems. The AMD consistent platform approach helps reduce qualification times for OEMs and solution providers, while giving end-users the opportunity to upgrade their existing systems.

“Thus far we see impressive performance and performance-per-watt results in our initial ‘Istanbul’ testing. We expect global OEMs and solution providers to begin shipping systems based on ‘Istanbul’ in the second half of this year,” said John Fruehe, director of business development, Server Workstation, AMD.