AMD recently showed off its upcoming Istanbul six-core server processor that is built using a 45nm process. And while Intel, unsurprisingly, beat AMD to the punch by launching its Dunnington processor back in September of 2008, Istanbul should be the first monolithic six-core processor that will be available for dual- and quad-socket server configurations when it launches in the second half of this year.
The company revealed only a few specifics of the upcoming chip but promised better memory throughput and said the new parts will be thermally and socket compatible with existing AMD servers in the field to allow a seamless upgrade process. Besides the new six-core processor, AMD is planning to launch a new server platform in the later part of 2009 called "Fiorano," which will use the company's 45-nm chips along with the latest HyperTransport 3 technology. In the meantime, you can find a video of the Istanbul demonstration after the break and some pictures here.