AMD strictly moderated (AMD)

[alan81]

comparing hypothetical quad cores...
It is rumored Intel will use their dual die package technology to build quad core woodcrest chips. I suspect the FSB backs down to 1066 for these parts. I would assume they use "merom" type speeds and power for this product resulting in a quad core 2.33Ghz at about 80W of power. So if we compare we get:

 
 Parameter  QC NGA     QC Opti 
 Freq        2.33Ghz    2.4 Ghz 
 Cache       8MB        4MB 
 Die size    2x135?     400 
 Memory BW   8.5GB/s    10.6 to 12.8GB/s 
 Power       80W?       140W?

Pretty much guesses, but we will see later this year.
AFAIK AMD has never manufactured a product with this big of a die. Perhaps they will go with the smaller 512k cache chips reducing die size to about 300mm, but doubling the cache disparity between the two products. Performance of the NGA quad core will depend heavily on how well the new "bandwidth aware" pre-fetcher works.
--Alan