In the current block AMD is not going to supply processors Phenom stepping B3. In this block AMD will present Three-core processors and one economical four core model, they are all based on old B2 stepping . AMD reported in last week that the mass processors models are now necessary to users, but pursuit of high frequencies is not required.
Yesterday appeared some interesting information about the current state concerning the passage to B3 stepping .AMD company already has the available the models model four core processors stepping B3, and these processors are deprived from the so-called TLB error . The deliveries of processors models with new stepping will begin in the next two-three weeks. Let us note that the discussion deals with the server processors Barcelona. It is expected that the first series processors stepping B3 will appear in server systems already in the end of this block.
Note that AMD are not planned to stop the delivery of Barcelona processors stepping B2. separately persistent clients can exchange these processors with B3 stepping , but frequently this is not required. Since server systems under Linux control can be easily protected from TLB error with the aid of program patch, which in this case barely influences the system speed.
New stepping will bring improvements in the frequency potential : processors Phenom 9700 (2.4 GHz) and Phenom 9900 (2.6 GHz) . In the server segment AMD expects to present Barcelona model with 2.5 GHz frequency in the next block
In the fourth quarter of the past year AMD dispatched a record quantity of desktop and mobile processors: 400 000 pieces (four core processor). In the first quarter 2008 , the company expects as minimum to double this quantity.
Speaking directly about the financial results of AMD activity , it should be noted that the fourth quarter 2007 was as before unprofitable, but hope for better is always present . The current block will not bring noticeable improvements since there is a seasonal decrease on the market, but here in the second half-year AMD expects to return to the profitability.