AMD Opens Opteron Servers to New Chips

Advanced Micro Devices wants to help computers based on its processors to get new jobs.

The chip maker announced on Sept. 21 an expansion of its “Torrenza” initiative to spur the deployment of co-processors for systems using its chips. Torrenza’s second step will make it possible for co-processors to plug directly into the socket—the physical connection between a processor and a computer motherboard—used by AMD Opteron chips.

The move, AMD executives said, offers a direct connection between a co-processor and other system components and thus can grant AMD-based servers—and ultimately AMD-processor client PCs as well—a performance boost, along with the potential to tackle new jobs, such as processing Java, while also opening up new system design options as well. Under Torrenza, AMD-based servers will be able to incorporate a myriad of configurations using Opteron plus add-on chips.

“We’re taking it to the next level by opening up the actual Opteron socket—something we’re calling the Innovation Socket—and allowing vendors to develop silicon that plugs directly into that socket,” said Marty Seyer, senior vice president of AMD’s Commercial Segment, speaking from Pasadena, Calif. “We think, over the horizon, it’s going to deliver a lot more innovation.”

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