5.8 A 3GHz 64b ARM v8 processor in 40nm bulk CMOS technology

Potenza is a first generation 64b ARM v8 processor and memory sub-system of the X-Gene TM server platform [1]. The Potenza processor module (PMD) is an integrated design unit, comprising two identical cores sharing a 256KB L2 cache, and is designed to be scalable for different server configurations. Each PMD contains 84 million transistors, occupying over 14.8mm 2 , and averages 4.5W under representative workloads. The initial platform is configured with 4 PMDs, a shared 8MB L3 cache, and 4 DRAM channels arranged around a central switch. Potenza can operate up to 3GHz at 0.9V supply and is fabricated in a 40nm bulk CMOS technology using 10 metal layers (Fig. 5.8.7).