Intel Corp (INTC)

[wbmw]

New AMD Thermal Datasheet

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/30430.pdf

I don't know if this is of interest to anyone, but it has some new Athlon X2 power numbers.

It looks like the general instantaneous power envelope for the X2 is 110W, but there are a few skus (2.2GHz and below) that are 89W.

The interesting thing is that if you look at the best bin AMD has available on Page 81, you'll see the following thermal specs:

2.6GHz, 1.30/1.35V, 110W
2.4GHz, 1.30V, 105.3W
2.2GHz, 1.25V, 86.1W
2.0GHz, 1.20V, 72.5W
1.8GHz, 1.15V, 62.7W
1.0GHz, 1.10V, 43.2W

And yet, the rumors state that there will be Turion X2 models with these specs:

2.2GHz, 1.20V, 35.0W
1.8GHz, 1.075V, 25.0W

Somehow, it seems impossible that Turion can be gauged by the same standards as AMD's desktop parts. My thought is that Turion is using more of an application specific TDP, as Intel uses. I'd still like to see more thermal benchmarks run on the parts when they are released, but mounting evidence seems to suggest that, at less than 1/2 the previous AMD thermal standard, Turion had to have the numbers twisted to appear competitive on the mobile front.