VMware CEO: Intel's x86 is filled with "junk silicon"

[Russianhaxor]

While i most certainly dont agree with this, it is coming from somebody who has had quite a prolonged relationship with AMD and i found it interesting that someone like the CEO of VMware would say something like that considering his background.

Former Intel employee and current CEO of VMware, Mr. Paul Maritz recently "opened a can of whoop-ass" on the x86 architecture. Delivering a keynote speech at TiEcon 2009, Paul attacked Intel's pitch of "x86 inside mobile device" with powerpoint slideware that just ripped into Intel's x86 "green" pitch.

According to the TechPulse360, Paul didn't spare heavy words to the assembled audience: "It’s a power hog, it loves electricity, all those [unused] gates are basically consuming power". If you thought that this was less than flattery, this quote made sure Intel's PR machine gets into damage limitation mode with the following statement: "It’s all junk silicon."

http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2009/7/5/vmware-ceo-intels-x86-is-filled-with-junk-silicon.aspx

[HITandRUN]

He He! Riding with the head out of the window. I'm sure someone will shoot back at him! Just a matter of time. Interesting read though. :blink:

[Kal-EL]

SYnergistic propegandy, any news is good news in teh marketing world.

[ReverendMaynard]

SYnergistic propegandy, any news is good news in teh marketing world.

word.

I use VMware...on Intel based servers... and can't figure out what all that junk silicon is doing but it's doing it right lol.

[hellcamino]

word.

I use VMware...on Intel based servers... and can't figure out what all that junk silicon is doing but it's doing it right lol.

IIRC VMware does work more efficiently on the amd platform but with their hard drive performance I wouldn't bother. If they could compete with intel ICH10R then he might be worth listening to.

[Russianhaxor]

iirc vmware does work more efficiently on the amd platform but with their hard drive performance i wouldn't bother. If they could compete with intel ich10r then he might be worth listening to.

raid card ftmfw

[Neuromancer]

raid card ftmfw

While that would work for AMD, right now due to limited IOPS controllers, raid cards are severely hampering running SSD drives.

One would either need to run pure software raid or use the Intel onboard solution for multiple SSD drives.

It does not surprise me that news of Intel's wasted power comes to light, they have been playing the TDP game for while now (in relation to monitors, Intel's TDP is like judging a monitor based on gray to gray response times).

Which explains why they pushed for 200w tdp from mobo manufacturers and if I heard correctly, certain i7 boards have two CPU power connectors? Seems unreasonable for a chip that supposedly has a 130W TDP....

[hellcamino]

Yes a RAID card could solve a lot of issues for the AMD Anshel but with an onboard controller as good the ICH10R for the intel that would raise your cost by quite a bit just to attempt to compete with the intel (and fail).

As for tdp ratings, they are probably closer than you think if the system is run at stock speeds, the boards you are referring to are specifically engineered for overclocking and are a hideous waste of money for anyone not intending to put the screws to them! Say what you want about the power hogs that are intel, clock for clock there is no comparison between the AM3 and i7 platform BUT the AM3 is capable of higher clocks with extreme cooling. For those of us using water or good air cooling the choice for speed and truly impressive proccessing power is the i7. Clock for clock the i7 is about 35% more powerful according to my 3d bench results and 100% more powerful in 2d benches.

[Neuromancer]

I do not disagree that i7 has CPU performance wrapped up.

The power figures though do not add up. Although Anand says it is more power efficient than the 45nm qx9770 in this article...

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3453&p=3

Certain things do not add up.

120-135W power jump from idle to load on CPU intensive applications?

Either the i7 is sooo good it runs on only a couple of watts at idle, or the cake is a lie! (the spoon too for that matter;) )

Also why are air coolers that were good enough for 775 not able to handle the load of an i7? I see guys pushing 100C on there air setups to try and hit 4GHz.

(also should point out that anadtech article is contrary to most articles on i7 dealing with energy efficiency)

Another interesting article about how energy efficient it is

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2008/11/03/intel-core-i7-920-945-965-review/12

Note the load discrepancies on i7. They scale very well for a 200W TDP (all tests are run at stock)

(loaded tests are full power tests, note that this includes inefficient Intel chipsets (which no longer contain Mem controller etc as well as dimm power (very low on ddr3) and idle video card usage)
Loaded 920 i7 system runs 196W
Loaded 965 i7 system runs 247W or a 25% in crease in total system load draw, for only 25% more cpu clocks...

Now either 130W is a lie, or the 920 is only an 80w TDP CPU (lol yeah i do not believe that either ;) )

Does this minimize the legacy that is i7? Certainly not, and when compared with the original phenoms, which were power hungry little beasties too, they get more work done faster so in effect are more energy efficient.

There are articles about the athlon family TDP which shows that the TDP rating of the chip is rated for the fastest CPU in that family. (for instance the athlon 4200x2 in reality only used 42W fully loaded... despite having a TDP of 65 or 85W...)

I only express these points, to point out that the VMWare guy is not wrong. Granted he is not very politically correct for someone in his shoes, but since it seems to be such a big secret, I guess the only way to really make the situation known is to be sensational about it. But I think we all know that intel=juice pig.

With amazing power, comes amazing responsibility (and a larger electric bill to boot)

These are not points that mean anything to Extreme OC'ers like most of us here (I am not extreme yet, but will get there soon I hope :) Already talked freeagent into going i7 i think heh heh although his 8600ES should put up some incredible results with the right cooling solution...). However it is a valid architectural discussion. Beleive me if I could force 200W through my AMD chip I would!!

I do not want this thread to be derailed too, so will leave my comments as they are and will discuss it no further. Take it or leave it as you wish :).

[hellcamino]

If you believe what anandtech has to say than both companies are guilty of hedging on their tdp ratings http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3551&p=15

[Neuromancer]

he heh I almost posted.. I said I wouldnt I almost did

[Chuchnit]

Don't be afraid of the big bad monster :dancinwolf: :rofl

[Russianhaxor]

Intel's 130w TDP is a generous figure. conservatively speaking. They know it doesnt do 130w but they say it might under certain situations(100% load, with turbo, etc. on). The Intel 45nm i7 run alot cooler than 130 unless you start overclocking and bumping voltages.