主题：【IT动态】AMD展示了最新的“都靠”CPU (Dual-Core) -- Highway

Dual-Core CPU就是在一个CPU Die上有两个CPU内核（Core，简称靠）。这样你在主板上插一个CPU，就相当于俩，插俩呢，就相当于四......以此类推。

AMD的这种都靠CPU的美妙之处在于和原来的CPU全兼容，升级一下BIOS就可以使用这种CPU。如果你有一个Dual-CPU的服务器，那么将原先的两个CPU升级成这种都靠的，那么你就拥有一个Four-way的企业级服务器了，怎么样，听起来很不错吧!

据微软SQL 2005开发人员说，AMD的64位CPU在他们内部测试中性能惊人。不知道这种双内核的64位CPU会不会进一步提升性能。我们拭目以待！

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) has demonstrated the company's first dual-core microprocessors at its Austin, Texas, office, the company said Tuesday. 

Dual-core processors, set to hit the market next year, offer improved performance over single-core chips, especially in multithreaded applications. 

[B]AMD's demonstration included a Hewlett-Packard Co. Proliant DL585 server running four dual-core Opteron processors, the company said in a statement.[/B] An updated BIOS (Basic Input Output System) -- the interface between a computer's hardware and operating system -- was all that was required to get the 4-way server up and running with the dual-core chips, it said. The company did not provide further details of the demonstration. 

The chips -- which contain two processor cores and 1M byte of Level 2 cache for each core -- use the same 940-pin socket used by AMD's single-core Opteron processors manufactured with a 90-nanometer process, according to information posted on the AMD's Web site. 

This compatibility will allow HP, Sun Microsystems Inc. and IBM Corp. to incorporate dual-core Opterons in existing systems that are designed for the Opteron, AMD said. 

In addition, users will be able to upgrade existing systems that are compatible with the 90-nanometer single-core processors to dual-core chips, it said. 

The dual-core Opteron chips, which were produced using a 90-nanometer process, are expected to be available commerically by the middle of next year, AMD said. The company plans to make available dual-core chips that are designed to be used in servers running from one to eight processors, it said. The company did not disclose pricing information for the chips. 

Dual-core processors designed for desktop PCs will be made available during the second half of 2005, AMD said.

AMD rival Intel Corp. also plans to make available a full range of dual-core processors in 2005.