Published in PC Hardware

Opteron X Berlin runs Fedora Linux

by on17 April 2014



First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin

Berlin is the first 28nm-based CPU and APU product from AMD for the Opteron server market and this APU is supposed to replace Opteron 3300 series based on 4 to 8 Piledriver cores. Berlin has four Steamroller cores, but its APU supports HSA and it theoretically should be able to run some parallel computing applications much faster.

AMD demonstrated an AMD Opteron X series APU codenamed Berlin running a Linux environment based on Fedora Project at the Red Hat Summit 2014. Fedora is a Red Hat sponsored community Linux distribution that is widely used as an alternative to more expensive enterprise distributions.

Going parallel on a single die


AMD sees this as a significant step forward “in expanding the footprint of x86 APU accelerated performance within the data centre."

We could not agree more as many server applications will really enjoy the ability to do parallel tasks via HSA much faster than with traditional x86-only server processors. It is bringing the best of both worlds in a single package, as it offers x86 compatibility and parallel GPU computing on a single die.

AMD is unique in being able to offer something like this, especially since Intel’s integrated GPU doesn’t really do parallel computing at this level.


Berlin parts coming later this year


The official launch of Berlin is expected later this year and AMD plans to demonstrate software based OpenCL and OpenGL on Berlin.

amdserver

 

The Austin-based chipmaker also demonstrated Project Sumatra that enables Java applications to take advantage of graphics processing units (GPUs) within AMD server APUs. AMD sees a lot of potential for Berlin Opteron X as an ideal platform for server based multimedia workloads and general purpose GPU compute. The X series Opteron should enable new levels of workload efficiency in data centres.

AMD plans to demonstrate the HP Moonshot M700 Cartridge based on the AMD Opteron X-Series X2150 APU, the upcoming second generation AMD Opteron X-Series "Berlin" APU, and the AMD SM15000 servers as well as new partner technologies.

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Read more about: