The Zambezi CPUs are foreseen to run on AMDs 9 series chipset motheboards . This is not a brand new chipset, as it dates from early this year. 990FX was a worthy successor to the older polyvalent 8XX series. With each new CPU AMD links it to a platform name. For the Zambezi CPUs , better known to the comon people like you and me as Bulldozer, the platform is called Scorpius.

The Bulldozer CPUs will be branded as AMD FX processor. Yes it has been a while since we overclocked AMDs famous FX CPU to new heights. From AMDs press guide we read this : The AMD FX processor has been designed for enthousiasts who are looking to get the latest technologies and ultimate performance for their dollar. All FX processors are unlocked and overclockable and designed for the latest highly threaded applications. What catches me most in the previous sentences is : overclockable, unlocked and bang for the buck. Sounds too good to be true doesn't it ?

The FX CPU will be available at start in 3 models : The flagship tested today the FX-8150, a slower variant the FX-8120 and a 6core CPU the FX6100. Here's a short overview taken from the press powerpoints.

As you can see there are models to fit everybodys budget and needs. Rumour is that the lower specced 4 cores are faster in single threaded cases, but I only will vouch for this claim if I have tested it myself. AMD's target is Intels 2500K CPU. Believe it or not but the Bulldozer flagship FX-8150 will retail sub 250 euros once released.

In fact the first pages will be extractions of the presentation slides. For purists these diagrams and co are what they have been speculating about for over a year. I'm more sort of the practical guy that only needs a basic idea of how it all works. I rather use and abuse it. Anyway here we go and I promise Il'l keep it as light as possible :

AMD designed the Bulldozer to balance performance, cost and power consumption on multi threaded applications. There's that multi threaded part again. In fact the CPU name Bulldozer is not 100% correct. Bulldozer comes from the modules you see in the above Die shot. Each module sporting two cores. The architecture focuses on high frequency and resource sharing to achieve an optimal throughput and blistering speed in next generation apps. Our FX-8150 offers, according the slides up to eight power efficient cores. Based on 32Nm Global Foundries SOI (Silicon on Insulator) process.