...What's Bulldozer bringing to the table? .. speculation ...

So far, I've only read three reports purporting to give accurate data from an engineering sample. Presumably, since the first engineering samples, Bulldozer has been "improved" a couple times (thus the delays). So, those old vague tests are probably out of date.

The most likely correct rumor is that Bulldozer was designed to overclock and overclocks well -- almost certainly 4.5GHz and possibly 4.8GHz on air. It did smash the multi-core and single-core record for OC with liquid Helium, but I suppose none of us are going to do that

Next in order: The 8 core version has 8 full time cores that can handle 8 full time threads. That won't make much (or any) difference in games for a year or two. But, it is better than the higher priced Intel i7 at 4 full time threads (or 8 part time threads). Folks doing video editing and some other things may do better with Bulldozer -- 8 is twice as much as 4 (Intel does have a 6 core version that costs a small fortune).

Lastly: Core for core and clock for clock, Bulldozer is faster than Phenom II and probably a bit slower than Intel i7. Nonetheless, it is rumored close and costs significantly less. Also, Bulldozer may OC higher than i7 -- thus, closing the gap for enthusiasts. The top 4 core Bulldozer stock speed is 4.2GHz -- and its cheap vs. gamer Intel 4 core processors.

Very vague: Intel i7 has special instructions specifically for video processing that Phenom II does not have. So, in some non-game benchmarks that use those instructions, i7 can be twice as fast as Phenom II per core (lots of comparative test reports use those benchmarks and make Phenom II look sick -- but it only applies to a few users). I think I read Bulldozer will have those same instructions (usually, when Intel introduces new instructions, AMD stuff gets them in the next generation) -- plus Bulldozer has the extra full time cores.

I should mention that one of those 3 tests did show Bulldozer beating i7-2600K. But the test conditions were too vague to put much stock into the result.

That's it so far. Bulldozer competitive (wins some loses some) with i7 for less money seems very likely. More than that, we must wait and see

[quote=iam73]
Some of the newer revisions of AM3 board will support AM3+ chip through a BIOS update - CONFIRMED. They do mention support though, which leads to beleive there will be limitations if not using a native AM3+ board.