Socket AM2 Overview & X2 5000+ Review

INTRODUCTION

During the past year AMD's socket 939 line of FX, Athlon and Opteron processors in have gracefully emerged as champions in the Computer Enthusiast worlds most sacred race, speed. Some of the benchmarks have been close while others, namely gaming related, have been a runaway with AMD essentially allowing their closest competition to eat their dust while never looking back. As with any great champion, AMD was not satisfied with simply being in first place; but instead, remaining there indefinitely. Hence in lieu of sitting back on their haunches and gloating, work had already begun on their next generation of processor; the socket AM2.

For the past several months after the release of AMD’s latest processor road map, computer aficionados have been in a frenzy awaiting the release of AMD’s new socket AM2 processor. The speculation over just what features this new product line may bring to the table and more importantly deliver has been rampant. Rumors of vast performance increases coupled with architectural changes in the design of this new CPU were fervent amongst the masses at almost every enthusiast site on the Web.

Today, those so called rumors become fact and all myths will be dispelled. At 12:01 AM the import embargo on the socket AM2 chips patiently awaiting your scrutiny was lifted. The official launch date of June 1, 2006 still stands, even though many distributors and retailers should have this product available for sale as we speak.

The purpose of our article today is twofold. Our first mission is to give you, the consumer, some well deserved information on the features and results you can expect from the entire line of socket AM2 processors. Secondly, we'll take a close look at the new socket AM2 X2 5000+ which along with its big brother the FX 62 sit atop the socket AM2 product line. Subsequent reviews at this site will cover the complete line of products that currently and in the future will be brought to market to complement and support this new processing behemoth.

SOCKET AM2 - AN OVERVIEW

Primary Differences

The predominant changes between socket 939 and socket AM2 are:

1. DDR2 support (up to 667MHz all chips and up to 800MHz for X2 and FX) with in-chip controller
2. Reduced power consumption including a new line of Energy Efficient models
3. AMD Virtualization support (hardware virtualization in-chip) which allows multiple operating systems to run simultaneously
4. Redesigned 4-bolt heatsink tray for better stability
5. Keyed ZIFF socket to ensure only correct socket AM2 940 pin processor can be installed as opposed to the older 940 pin Opterons

Common Traits for AM2 Processors:

• Manufactured:   Fab 30 in Dresden, Germany
• Process Technology:   90-nanometer DSL SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology
• Packaging:  Socket AM2 (940-pin organic micro PGA)
• HyperTransport technology:   Supports single HT link – up to 8.0 GB/sec per link bandwidth
• Memory:  DDR2 memory controller
• Effective data bandwidth:   Up to 12.8 GB/sec dual channel memory bandwidth
• Total CPU bandwidth:   Up to 20.8 GB/sec (HyperTransport + Memory bandwidth)
• Memory Speed - FX and X2:   DDR 2 memory up to and including PC2 6400 (DDR2-800) unbuffered
• Memory Speed - A64 and Semp:   DDR 2 memory up to and including PC2 5300 (DDR2-667) unbuffered
• Common Features Added:   AMD Virtualization technology
• Chipsets:   ATI, NVIDIA, SiS and VIA
• Motherboard Support:   Expected from all major vendors - ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Biostar, Shuttle, ECS, Leadtek, Abit, EPox

Socket 940

While the socket AM2 processor will use a 940 pin socket, don’t in any way confuse it with the previous 940 pin socket utilized by some of AMD’s Opteron processors. This socket is all new and keyed in such a manner to prevent the successful insertion of one of the older 940 pin Opterons.