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AMD's quad-core Phenom processors face compatibility issues
There's all the makings of a class-A debacle over at AMD headquarters, as it turns out that the chip maker's quad-core Phenom processors are incompatible with some popular motherboard chipsets. Due to a thermal frequency mismatch, the 125-watt 9750 and 9850 CPUs don't play well with 780G-based mobos -- which are designed for AMD's less power-hungry 9600 and 9550 processors. Instead, AMD warns that its quad-core processors should be paired with the company's 790 chipset. Spokesman Jake Whitman blamed PC makers, stating that, "They've taken an enthusiast-class quad-core part and paired it with a mainstream motherboard." Confused yet? Exactly.
AMD delaying quad-core Phenom 9700 and 9900 once again? UPDATE: AMD says everything's on track
The sun just refuses to shine on AMD -- according to several Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers, AMD is saying that the quad-core Phenom 9700 and 9900 are going to be delayed yet again, this time to the end of Q3. Apparently there's a buffer-related glitch in the original design, so AMD is actually "canceling" the two chips and "reintroducing" the revised versions in Q3 as the 9750 and 9950 to "improve consumer confidence." That's certainly an interesting tactic for a chip that's never seen the light of day -- but we'd say that the best thing AMD could do to improve consumer confidence is stop talking and start shipping, no?Update: We just got off the phone with AMD, who told us that they're actually ahead of schedule on the "B3" Phenom silicon, which fixes that buffer error without requiring a new BIOS, and that they expect to ship higher frequency quad-core Phenoms in Q2 as planned. They would not, however, give us model numbers or clock speeds, and wouldn't commit to a date in Q2 -- so don't be surprised if these hit as the 9750 and 9950 on the last day of Q2 after all.[Thanks, Mack S.][Via X-bit Labs]
