Is SledgeHammer (Opteron) Aimed at Single Processor Rigs Too?

[AGodspeed]

Looking at AMD's Processor Roadmap, SledgeHammer (Opteron) is now aimed at 1-8 way systems, not just 2-8 way systems anymore.

Will we be able to build single processor Opteron rigs, with its dual channel interface and 1MB L2 cache? Who knows...

EDIT: Link changed for dullard's eyes.

 

[dullard]

Yes I read that, but I'm not too interested in 1 processor SledgeHammers. I've yet to see a major processor that worked fine in 2-8 processor computers but failed in a 1 processor computer - the fact that can be use in a 1 processor is almost a gimmie. However I thought it was much more odd that the two processor Clawhammer has been removed. That can affect a lot of people.

As an aside, that link to Tom's sight is really blurry, just go to the AMD site instead.

 

[CaptAce]

I think they strectched Sledgehammer down to a 1-way to reflect the use of small blade servers, and to impress upon the Tier One OEMs that they want to be a one stop shop for server cpus...

To expand the discussion, I was disappointed to hear from the webcast announcement that VALIDATED Opteron cpus, meaning multiprocessors of BOTH the claw and sledge type) wont show up till 2003...We already knew sledgehammer would take longer but I was really geared up to get a DP Clawhammer...now I have to wait even longer...phooey...

 

[BD231]

I think it's obvious that Sledge Hammer can operate as a single processor. We may see something like a desktop equivalent Sledge Hammer, and a Multi processor certified hammer, just like AMD did with the XP. In my mind it makes things a little more simple, I don?t think AMD will give use 1mb of cache, more like a 512k version, but you never know with the way competition is going these days. If they were to release the SledgeHammer to the masses, that would give Intel a good bit of catching up to do. The Sledgehammer may just be what keeps AMD on top long enough to grab a good chunk of the consumer and server market.

 

[AGodspeed]

<< I think they strectched Sledgehammer down to a 1-way to reflect the use of small blade servers, and to impress upon the Tier One OEMs that they want to be a one stop shop for server cpus...

To expand the discussion, I was disappointed to hear from the webcast announcement that VALIDATED Opteron cpus, meaning multiprocessors of BOTH the claw and sledge type) wont show up till 2003...We already knew sledgehammer would take longer but I was really geared up to get a DP Clawhammer...now I have to wait even longer...phooey... >>

DP ClawHammer and 2-8 way SledgeHammer shipments have always been aimed for 1H 2003. SP ClawHammer is the only Hammer that is supposed to ship this year...