These go up to six
Several tech sites are referring to inside sources as confirming the presence on AMD's desktop processor roadmap of a six-core one, codenamed ‘Thuban', probably to be launched in the third quarter of next year.
Xbit labs reckons it will be socket AM3 compatible, will be branded Phenom II and be based around the Istanbul six core server processor design. It points out that Thuban is the name of a star in the Draco constellation and thus speculates whether AMD is indulging in a Dan Brown level of cryptic clues and intends Thuban for its Dragon platform.
The alternative will be the ‘Leo' platform, on which VR-Zone has got hold of some information. Leo is expected to make an appearance in April 2010 and will accommodate new AM3 CPUs, new chipsets and AMD's DX11 range of GPUs.
Intel's ‘Gulftown' six-core processor is expected to make an appearance in the second quarter of next year, so AMD will want to have a response to that. As Gulftown is likely to be positioned as a top-end part, with a price to match, we would expect AMD to position Thuban as a more reasonably priced alternative.
