Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

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Re: The new 65nm AMD Athlon 64x2 cores will be code-named Brisbane, and will manufactured using Strees Memorization and 3rd Strained Silicon technology, enhancing electronic capability by up to 42%

With the fastest 65nm part coming in 15% slower than the fastest 90nm part, how much of this is just hype? Obviously, the 65nm process will ramp up and perform faster, but when and by how much? The fastest 130nm part was 2.6GHz (original FX-55), and the 90nm process launched at 2.2GHz max. Since the fastest apples/apples SC chip on 90nm ramped to 3.0GHz, it may be 36% faster than the intro 90nm frequency, but it's also just 15% faster than the EOL 130nm frequency. Note that now 65nm is being introduced at 2.4GHz max, while the fastest 90nm dual core frequency will be 2.8GHz by this time. That's almost the same 15% drop that we witnessed in the 130->90nm transition. Will "3rd generation Strained Silicon technology" give 65nm more wind than 1st/2nd gen SS gave to 90nm? There may not be enough data to even speculate, but you have to admit it is curious that they are once again getting such a disappointing boost from their initial frequency transition.

By the way, I say "disappointing", because at least Intel got a small positive boost with Presler over Smithfield (3.4GHz vs. 3.2GHz, and now 3.73GHz vs. 3.2GHz), and a very small negative impact going from Dothan to Yonah (2.26GHz vs. 2.16GHz, but at the same time Yonah is dual core with enhancements, and a 2.33GHz part will launch soon). I think it will be interesting how quickly AMD can shift to 65nm and be able to launch products at least as fast as the ones on their 90nm process.