Leaked slide shows AMD's BGA CPU could take on Intel's Atom processor

While AMD has been making headway with some impressive high-end processors, Intel's Atom has been all the rage in netbooks and ultra-portables. You didn't think they were going to just sit around and let that happen, did you? This supposedly leaked slide (for which we couldn't verify a source) details a single-core 64-bit processor dubbed "BGA CPU" that runs at 1GHz, utilizes DDR2-400 memory, and sports on-chip L1 & L2 caches. As for size, you're looking at 27 x 27 mm (1.06-inches square). All said, the chip's 8-watt thermal footprint isn't going to win any super-portable or MID manufacturer converts. We'll keep an eye on this.

[Thanks, kris120890]

[AC @ Jun 17th 2008 10:07AM]

Soon, I will see the netbook processor market as over flooded as the netbook market. and it will be great for all of our wallets.

[System48 @ Jun 17th 2008 10:09AM]

I'll believe it when I see it, AMD's been really good at making slides and product schedules but has failed completely at execution.

[Student Driver @ Jun 17th 2008 3:48PM]

The only way it could have been better is if it was a cheap "streaming" processor. You know, this could simply be the surplus cores from the from the triple core CPU.

[Alex @ Jun 17th 2008 10:10AM]

If they wanted to compete, they'd release it now.

[w00t @ Jun 17th 2008 5:20PM]

What, even if it's incomplete and untested?
Sounds like a smart move...

[r3loaded @ Jun 17th 2008 10:12AM]

I've heard that the Intel Atom was 32-bit only, can someone confirm if this is true? It's a bit of a bummer if Intel's newest processor can't handle 64-bit instructions, and it'll give AMD's new offering an advantage.

[Pete @ Jun 17th 2008 10:42AM]

Negative - the chip itself supports 64-bit - the limitations will be in the boards that it sits on.

[Kris @ Jun 17th 2008 10:59AM]

Looking at the Intel fact sheet (http://download.intel.com/pressroom/kits/isscc/ISSCC_News_Fact_Sheet.pdf?iid=tech_iapm+isscc), it would appear to be 32-bit only but doesn't specifically say. I believe they usually specify whether it supports 64-bit or not so I'd say this could be a win for AMD.

32-bit software needs to die.

[torqueo @ Jun 17th 2008 10:15AM]

AMD can't make fast CPU's properly so now they're trying their hand at slow ones. Priceless. ;)

[Some Kid @ Jun 17th 2008 10:35AM]

toooo true\
but seriously only 1 GHz for all of the rest-on a 64 bit
i know there is only one core but still, ya would think that they could pack a little more power in for the 8w reading
Does anyone know how big square the Atom is?

[applefan @ Jun 17th 2008 10:36AM]

haha lol Apple obssesed Engadget now has Apple ads! I knew this was coming.

[From my Cube @ Jun 17th 2008 10:51AM]

arrogant apple fan is arrogant

[w00t @ Jun 17th 2008 5:23PM]

They've had them for ages, they are there only because they generate revenue.

Hell I'd put Microsoft ads on an Apple blog if they bid highest :)

[engadgetyk.web.bbbl67 @ Jun 17th 2008 1:52PM]

Sounds like it's a repackaged Sempron processor, judging by its small L2 cache, only 256K. Shouldn't be too hard for AMD to make this processor, since current low-power Semprons are already in the 16W range. The real difficult part will be to make a low-watt chipset to go along with that processor. If they can make a chipset that's only 1 or 2W, then it will be ready.

[w00t @ Jun 17th 2008 5:33PM]

The 8w already includes the chipset!

The best bit is, that's an absolute worst case scenario!

I'm using a Xeon 5160 with a TDP of 80w, yet since I'm sitting here surfing the net (and some domnloads and stuff in the background) it's only using 25w right now! :)

[0megapart!cle @ Jun 17th 2008 10:40AM]

8W including the Northbridge and memory controller compares pretty well to Intel, since Intel only counts CPU power in their rating.

And people need to not think so much about that 1 Ghz speed. Remember, Atom has very low performance/clock, so a 1 Ghz BGA could very well be similar performance to a 1.6 Ghz Atom.

[brendon @ Jun 17th 2008 11:10AM]

I think for the AMD, BGA is short for "ball grid array" in reference to the packaging and not an acronym for the processors name.

[Dustin @ Jun 18th 2008 2:48AM]

I came in to mention that BGA is an IC package type and not a processor name... so brendon I second your thought. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_grid_array

[Pochi @ Jun 17th 2008 10:45AM]

Showing up late with something worse. Way to keep it mediocre, AMD.

Now... AMD fan low rank power, ACTIVATE!

[silverblackvoid @ Jun 17th 2008 11:51AM]

how can u say that its worse. at least let them release the chip first. competition is always good.

[Pochi @ Jun 17th 2008 11:52AM]

"competition is always good"

No shit.

[w00t @ Jun 17th 2008 5:26PM]

It's worse? Cool so you've tested it, can we see the benchmarks results?

[Pochi @ Jun 17th 2008 5:50PM]

@w00t

Yes you can.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Chebwa/bench.jpg

You'll see that the AMD had its moments, but was unable to maintain a competetive edge as the line got longer. I used Arctic Silver on the test system, so everything is extremely scientific.

All tests © PochiMark Vantage 2005.

[w00t @ Jun 18th 2008 9:42AM]

All I see is as time went on Intel became more 'fart'
What kind of metric is that? :D

[Pochi @ Jun 18th 2008 9:46AM]

It is the speed that comes right after a teraflop.

[w00t @ Jun 19th 2008 6:39PM]

I accuse you of lying!

[Fehu @ Jun 17th 2008 10:50AM]

but it's only a single core turion...
I have one in my notebook: MT32, 1,8GHz, 512k L2, 90nm, max 25W

what have they done in so many years?...

[Jon Doe. @ Jun 17th 2008 10:51AM]

Yah...leaked....right. If powerpoint slides were actual products, AMD would have 100% of the market right now. In reality...no so much.

[Andrew @ Jun 17th 2008 10:53AM]

This chip should be interesting. It should allow boards to be produced with a smaller footprint, could reduce memory latencies since it's included on the chip, may reduce power consumption (depending how much northbridges normally use on these Subnotebooks), and has a 800mhz hypertransport bus available as opposed to intel's 533mhz on their Atoms.

It' sure will be interesting to see the results.

[Weeze-dog @ Jun 17th 2008 10:52AM]

Actually 8W TDP with CPU+Northbridge+MCH combined sounds pretty good.
While diamondville may only be 2W TDP, Intel's design documents on the 945 chipset with graphics and MCH shows it uses 22W TDP.
That would make the AMD solution more desirable for netbooks than diamondville+945, depending on what the graphics capability of the AMD chipset is.
However when compared to silverthorne+sch (~5W TDP) for MIDs, the AMD solution doesn't look that impressive, but still not horrible either.

[NeoDarkSaver @ Jun 17th 2008 11:27AM]

This BGA has a real good chance. The 8W here includes northbridge. Compare to the Atom's 945G chipset is rated at 22W, which totally kills the point of atom. but BGA definitely needs a rename.

[Brian @ Jun 17th 2008 11:32AM]

AMD = The new Cyrix
(I wouldn't compare AMD to VIA... VIA is actually successful in their market)

[noot @ Jun 17th 2008 4:36PM]

Get real, AMD is leaps and bounds ahead of Cyrix in every respect.
Pre core2duo, AMD was dominating the gaming market, you can't say that about Cyrix.

[Sascha @ Jun 17th 2008 12:12PM]

Hey Josh

i've emailed it to you guys already some 2 days ago and now not even Hexus.net is linking to the source of this slide:

http://www.eeepcnews.de/2008/06/15/neue-amd-umpc-und-netbook-cpu/

kinda weird how that works :(

Sascha
Eeepcnews.de

[Shogmaster @ Jun 18th 2008 4:16AM]

That 8W TDP is with CPU plus the Northbridge and RAM. You can't compare that to Silverthorne's 2W for CPU only, especially when their Northbridge is still made with 65nm process.