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AMD EPYC “Rome” Server Processors to Feature 8 to 64 Cores

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Re: AMD EPYC “Rome” Server Processors to Feature 8 to 64 Cores

#111
post #54
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are three tapeouts used for the entire desktop, HEDT, and server lineup combined. Everything uses the same 8 core CPU dies and there are two different I/O dies- a smaller one used for desktop (which doubles as the X570 chipset) and a big one for HEDT/server. There's also a separate 4 core + GPU die used for laptop parts.

This is correct for desktop and server. However, AMD hasn't said anything about the HEDT I/O die yet, as far as I know. Assuming Zen 2-based Threadripper will still have quad channel memory and 64 PCIe lanes, AMD might go for a medium sized I/O die instead of disabling half of the large server I/O die. Or maybe the Threadripper volume is too low and a separate tapeout is not worth it.

I haven't seen a lot for Zen2 based Threadripper news since the end of May so maybe I missed how they are doing those chips like via the same 8 core chiplets as Zen2 or something larger. If their yields are really really good, maybe they are stacking 8 core chiplets for Rome and based on final yields on that determine what range will be offered as Zen2 TR HEDT to split 16 core Zen2 from Rome. Maybe at 16 cores, Zen2/Ryzen 9 is HEDT enough to compete?

If they are doing larger chiplets for Rome like 16 or 32 core but pairing up with Infinity Fabric for up to 64 cores, yields could also determine what becomes Zen2 TR with the weak chiplets becoming 8-32 core 92 chiplets), single CPU HEDT material? Or will they have a whole other solution here like limiting Zen2 TR to the same socket as previous gens to push upgrades vs a first gen TR user jumping to a Ryzen 3850X vs low end Rome?

Re: AMD EPYC “Rome” Server Processors to Feature 8 to 64 Cores

#112
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That would be nice but NVidia got in legal trouble with x86 patents when they tried to do that with their Project Denver. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Denver

Most of the original x86_32 patents have now expired, that was sufficient to let Microsoft build the emulation layer for WoA. It might be more feasible now, except in the last ~5-10 years there's been a push to make many PC apps x86_64 only (e.g. Ubuntu dropping i386 support), so the benefit isn't quite as wide any more.

Do software implementations have to care? qemu implements like every ISA out there..

Re: AMD EPYC “Rome” Server Processors to Feature 8 to 64 Cores

#113
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most of the original x86_32 patents have now expired, that was sufficient to let Microsoft build the emulation layer for WoA. It might be more feasible now, except in the last ~5-10 years there's been a push to make many PC apps x86_64 only (e.g. Ubuntu dropping i386 support), so the benefit isn't quite as wide any more.

Do software implementations have to care? qemu implements like every ISA out there..

Presumably so, or Microsoft would have extended the WoA compatibility to x86_64 as well.

From 2017 https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/06/intel...

Re: AMD EPYC “Rome” Server Processors to Feature 8 to 64 Cores

#114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People use Macs also to produce music and for this task the most important is single core performance. AMD is not great at this and it seems like the new line of CPUs could only get on par with Intel which isn't enough to convince professionals to move.

Ryzen 3 is fast on single core and Intel's various bugs have slowed them down. I believe they are now near parity.

I have all bug fixes turned off, so I don't suffer from that.

Re: AMD EPYC “Rome” Server Processors to Feature 8 to 64 Cores

#115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ryzen 3 is fast on single core and Intel's various bugs have slowed them down. I believe they are now near parity.

I have all bug fixes turned off, so I don't suffer from that.

I believe that represents the 1% or less of the population.
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