[Austin Statesman] AMD sees a way forward (with new Zen design)

[randmark25]

Suzanne Plummer, the veteran Austin chip engineer who heads the Zen team, exudes confidence about the project.

“It is the first time in a very long time that we engineers have been given the total freedom to build a processor from scratch and do the best we can do,” Plummer said. “It is a multi-year project with a really large team. It’s like a marathon effort with some sprints in the middle. The team is working very hard, but they can see the finish line. I guarantee that it will deliver a huge improvement in performance and (low) power consumption over the previous generation.”


http://www.mystatesman.com/news/business/amid-challenges-chipmnaker-amd-sees-a-way-forward/nngdf/
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AMD brought together the best engineers in industry along with tools and other resources to create their new Zen architecture with advanced SMT and high BW cache for significant performance improvements that will make it extremely competitive and rewarding for both AMD and consumers worldwide.

 

[NTMBK]

AMD brought together the best engineers in industry along with tools and other resources to create their new Zen architecture with advanced SMT and high BW cache for significant performance improvements that will make it extremely competitive and rewarding for both AMD and consumers worldwide.

...based on what evidence?

Anyway, interesting article, thanks. Looks like the Zen delay to 2017 is confirmed:

It is called Zen — a microprocessor design project whose results are expected to start showing up in a family of new products starting in 2017.

And not a single mention of K12.

 

[ShintaiDK]

K12 seems axed. And Zen delayed as you say.

 

[frozentundra123456]

The chip design team---- now there is an objective source. What does one expect them to say?

 

[LTC8K6]

I can't help but notice "the best we can do"...

However, we really do need AMD to step up and compete.

 

[dark zero]

Sorry, but we don't need a fossil like AMD there anymore.

We need expensive, hella.expensive, but efective Intel chips. And I say hella since people who doesn't need power, deserves something bad and cheap and the real professional will get what they really need to pay.

 

[sm625]

The chip design team---- now there is an objective source. What does one expect them to say?

IPC increases!

Increase for single-threaded workloads will be "a lot" more than 17%.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I can't help but notice "the best we can do"...

However, we really do need AMD to step up and compete.

I read that as "good enough" at first

 

[redzo]

The more I read about stuff like this, the more I loose hope in AMD getting its act together.
They've over hyped bulldozer, now I look at some AMD engineer picture. Considering their current financial status, this post screams desperation.
What the hell does this mean:

It is the first time in a very long time that we engineers have been given the total freedom to build a processor from scratch and do the best we can do,” Plummer said. “It is a multi-year project with a really large team. It’s like a marathon effort with some sprints in the middle. The team is working very hard, but they can see the finish line. I guarantee that it will deliver a huge improvement in performance and (low) power consumption over the previous generation

Translation:
I am a naive engineer. AMD was milked till the last drop by the management. We are now given command by the higher establishment to sit on the deck of the sinking ship.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Not sure I would recognize him--- is Keller in that picture? I thought Zen was supposed to be *his* baby.

 

[railven]

Not sure I would recognize him--- is Keller in that picture? I thought Zen was supposed to be *his* baby.

Back left of the picture, pretty sure that's him walking out the door.

 

[Idontcare]

Obvious damage control is obvious.

 

[Arachnotronic]

Obvious damage control is obvious.

That was my thinking too. Timing of this piece is too suspicious to be mere coincidence.

 

[Phynaz]

Obvious damage control is obvious.

Yep. This is what the folks in corporate communications call an advertorial.

Oh, more confirmation Zen is now a 2017 product.

 

[CHADBOGA]

That Suzanne is a bit of a cutie. ()

 

[DrMrLordX]

Sorry, but we don't need a fossil like AMD there anymore.

We need expensive, hella.expensive, but efective Intel chips. And I say hella since people who doesn't need power, deserves something bad and cheap and the real professional will get what they really need to pay.

. . . seriously? No.

Oh, more confirmation Zen is now a 2017 product.

It certainly looks that way. Technically those words are from the author of the article rather than AMD, but wherever did he get the idea that it was launching in 2017?

 

[Phynaz]

. . . seriously? No.

Try ignore. Really reduces the noise level.

 

[TheELF]

It certainly looks that way. Technically those words are from the author of the article rather than AMD, but wherever did he get the idea that it was launching in 2017?

Because even if they launch on time in late 2016 they will start showing up in products starting in 2017.

It is called Zen — a microprocessor design project whose results are expected to start showing up in a family of new products starting in 2017.

 

[mrmt]

Because even if they launch on time in late 2016 they will start showing up in products starting in 2017.

What's the point of launching a product in 2016 if any meaningful revenues - if any revenue at all - doesn't come in 2016?

 

[Phynaz]

I guarantee that it will deliver a huge improvement in performance and (low) power consumption over the previous generation.”

And there's Su's scapegoat.

I'm sure she got a very nice package to say that. But, if Zen does flop, Su never said those things.

 

[erunion]

Try ignore. Really reduces the noise level.

Can you remind me how to ignore a user? I've been meaning to do that to him for awhile.

 

[Phynaz]

Go to their profile page. There's a small pull down menu named user lists. Select ignore from the menu.

 

[erunion]

Go to their profile page. There's a small pull down menu named user lists. Select ignore from the menu.

Thank you.

 

[AtenRa]

What's the point of launching a product in 2016 if any meaningful revenues - if any revenue at all - doesn't come in 2016?

So they will have to wait for January 1st 2017 to launch a new product because, if they would launch in say late October 2016, they will not get more than two months revenue ????

Are you serious ???

 

[ShintaiDK]

And there's Su's scapegoat.

I'm sure she got a very nice package to say that. But, if Zen does flop, Su never said those things.

Yep. Its quite clear someone else was put in front to take the blame. Their own confidence in Zen is very low to put it mildly.

delays and cancellations followed by lackbuster products.