Multi-core paradigm has become one of realities of our life. The users had a chance to enjoy the advantages of CPUs with two computational cores and as a result the sales of these processors keep growing day by day. At the same time, it is absolutely clear that we haven't yet hit the apogee of the core multiplication process. Quad-core CPUs start pushing their way into the market and at this time they are positioned for higher priced systems for computer enthusiasts. The ever growing interest to platforms optimized for multi-threaded performance inspired CPU manufacturers to introduce high-performance dual-socket computer systems featuring two multi-core processors inside.
AMD Company probed the path in this direction with their Quad FX platform built with two dual-core Athlon 64 FX processors. The launch of this platform was primarily stimulated by AMD's desire to respond to quad-processor solutions from their competitor, because technological difficulties wouldn't let AMD release their own solutions featuring four processor dies in a single package at that time. However, our tests revealed that at this time AMD Quad FX platform yields a lot to Intel quad-core processors, such as Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme, from all standpoints, including the performance. Although despite this fact AMD managed to impress its fans with the prospects for future evolution of their Quad FX platform. Company representatives promised that dual-socket desktop platform would continue evolving after the prospective quad-core processors on K10 micro-architecture come out. It means that Quad FX platform will eventually allow building systems with the total of eight processor cores in them.
Of course, Intel couldn't leave this initiative unattended. The micro-processor giant strengthening its positions day by day after the launch of Core micro-architecture, couldn't disregard the competitor's ability to introduce a desktop platform with two quad-core processors in it. The 搑efreshed?Quad FX platform will be known as FASN8 and will feature Agena FX codenamed CPU. And even though it is scheduled to launch only in Q3, Intel began pushing its alternative solution in January already. The first demonstration of the concept system equipped with two quad-core processors on Core micro-architecture was performed at CES 2007, where it was codenamed V8. These days Intel has already mastered mass production of all components for this platform and of course, we couldn't help getting our hands on them right away.
Today we are going to discuss the first desktop Intel V8 system that the manufacturer positions as an eight-core desktop PC for media content creation.
