ALKHOBAR, 20 November 2007 — AMD has launched its PC new platform, codenamed “Spider.” The Spider combines next-generation AMD Phenom quad-core processors, ATI Radeon HD 3800 series graphics and the AMD 7-Series Chipset. AMD reports that each of these components work better together for a high-definition (HD) experience that is both energy efficient and scalable. AMD expects AMD Spider platform configurations to be available from leading system builders, system integrators and ecosystem partners immediately, and from leading OEMs beginning in Q1 2008.
According to AMD, the new platform delivers benefits for both gaming enthusiasts and mainstream consumers, with a superior price/performance proposition and perfect system balance for “no-compromise” gaming and HD entertainment. On the CPU front, AMD Phenom processors can deliver the increased performance and efficiency of true quad-core and HyperTransport 3.0 technology.
On the graphics side, AMD will offer the second generation of CrossFire — delivering enhanced multi-graphics processing unit (GPU) capabilities and tremendous DirectX 10 performance scaling. AMD design and manufacturing innovation has enabled the AMD Spider platform to easily scale to three or four graphics processors and deliver a true gaming supercomputer.
“Falcon Northwest is particularly impressed with the quad ATI CrossFireX potential of the new AMD Spider platform,” said Kelt Reeves, president of Falcon Northwest, a company that sells custom gaming computers. “Running four graphics boards in one system has been a dream of gamers, but could be a nightmare for a system builder to get all those graphics cards proper airflow. The cohesive nature of the Spider platform design allows the AMD 7-Series chipset, high-performing AMD Phenom quad-core processor, and the already cool and quiet ATI Radeon HD 3800 graphics cards to all be placed for maximum airflow and cooling. AMD has made massive multi-GPU performance easy to build, and affordable.”
AMD is delivering the only platform that boasts major next-generation, industry-standard technologies to provide unparalleled bandwidth and balance in the delivery of next-generation HD content. With HyperTransport 3.0 technology, AMD Phenom processors have more system bandwidth than ever before with up to 14.4 GB/second of high bandwidth I/O. When combined with the additional bandwidth of AMD PCI Express 2.0 chipsets and graphics processors, the AMD Spider platform enjoys maximum bandwidth to support smooth 1080P video playback, enhanced multi-GPU and high-speed disk and network interfaces. With the only true quad-core processor and infrastructure flexibility with AM2+ socket, AMD processors are designed to be compatible with future 65nm and 45nm AMD Phenom processors to deliver key performance gains.
Video enthusiasts can enjoy best-in-class HD entertainment on AMD Spider platforms with the addition of the powerful visual processing capabilities of the ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series. Striking image quality and power-efficient playback are made possible through the ATI Avivo HD video engine and the Unified Video Decoder (UVD). The addition of UVD ensures exceptional platform efficiency and image quality in HD-DVD and Blu-ray decoding for both H.264 and VC-1 specifications. Big screen gaming and entertainment is also made easy with enhanced HDMI connectivity with integrated HDCP and audio for HDMI video.