Original Guide is by : Gabriel Torres and Cássio Lima @ Hardwaresecrets
Original Guide is posted here
This is not my tutorial, all credits goto Hardwaresecrets.com
Images hosted by Imageshack
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Introduction
All new processors from AMD found on the stores nowadays are based on AMD’s Athlon 64 architecture, also known as x86-64 or “hammerâ€. In this tutorial we will list all Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 models released so far and the main differences between them.
These three CPUs plus Sempron are targeted to desktop PCs, with Sempron targeted to low-end computers, Athlon 64 targeted to mid-range computers and Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 targeted to high-end computers. Athlon 64 X2 is the dual-core version of Athlon 64. There are three other CPUs based on Athlon 64’s architecture: Mobile Athlon 64 and Turion 64, which are argeted to mobile computers, and Opteron, which is targeted to servers.
The main feature of Athlon 64 architecture is the memory controller, which is embedded in the processor itself and not located on the chipset like all other CPUs.
Because of this architecture the communication between the CPU and the memory modules is done thru a dedicated memory bus, while the communication between the CPU and the chipset uses a separated bus, HyperTransport (click here to read our tutorial on HyperTransport).
AMD CPUs based on Athlon 64 architecture can be found with the following socket types:
Other features found on processors based on Athlon 64 architecture are:
Let’s now see all Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 models released to date.
Athlon 64
Athlon 64 can be found on socket 754 and socket 939 versions. As we explained before, socket 939 versions can use dual channel memory configuration, doubling the memory transfer rate if you use two memory modules on your system.
Athlon 64 can use several different cores, and we’ve already written a full article on that. You may want to read it if you want to learn more about this subject.
Athlon 64 main features include:
On the table below we list all Athlon 64 released to date.
Athlon 64 FX
Athlon 64 FX is a processor targeted to high-end gamers. Originally the difference between Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX was the amount of L2 memory cache (512 KB on Athlon 64 vs. 1 MB on Athlon 64 FX) and better overclocking capability, provided by an unlocked clock multiplier. All other CPUs from both Intel and AMD have a fixed clock multiplier, not allowing you to increase it – on all other CPUs the only way to overclock the CPU is to increase their external clock. Thus on Athlon 64 FX you have two options when overclocking the CPU: increasing the CPU base clock (also known as HTT clock), which defaults to 200 MHz, and/or increasing its clock multiplier.
When Athlon 64 processors started to be shipped also with 1 MB, the difference between them became the unlocked clock multiplier – Athlon 64 4000+ and Athlon 64 FX-53 are the same processor, for instance. However, if you pay close attention on the table below you will see that the highest clocked processors from AMD are found on Athlon 64 FX line.
Athlon 64 FX main features include:
On the table below we list all Athlon 64 FX released to date.
Athlon 64 X2
Athlon 64 X2 is an Athlon 64 with dual-core technology, i.e. it has two complete CPUs packed together. Read our tutorial Dual Core AMD Processors to learn more about this technology.
All Athlon 64 X2 processors use socket 939 pinout, but you need to perform a BIOS upgrade if your motherboard was released before they reached the market in order to support them.
Athlon 64 X2 main features include:
On the table below we list all Athlon 64 X2 released to date.
Athlon 64 FX-60 : Updated
Just Released - AMD Readies Dual-Core Gaming Chip
Powerful FX gaming processors are the latest chips to get a second core.
Original Guide is posted here
This is not my tutorial, all credits goto Hardwaresecrets.com
Images hosted by Imageshack
_________________________
Introduction
All new processors from AMD found on the stores nowadays are based on AMD’s Athlon 64 architecture, also known as x86-64 or “hammerâ€. In this tutorial we will list all Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 models released so far and the main differences between them.
These three CPUs plus Sempron are targeted to desktop PCs, with Sempron targeted to low-end computers, Athlon 64 targeted to mid-range computers and Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 targeted to high-end computers. Athlon 64 X2 is the dual-core version of Athlon 64. There are three other CPUs based on Athlon 64’s architecture: Mobile Athlon 64 and Turion 64, which are argeted to mobile computers, and Opteron, which is targeted to servers.
The main feature of Athlon 64 architecture is the memory controller, which is embedded in the processor itself and not located on the chipset like all other CPUs.
Because of this architecture the communication between the CPU and the memory modules is done thru a dedicated memory bus, while the communication between the CPU and the chipset uses a separated bus, HyperTransport (click here to read our tutorial on HyperTransport).
AMD CPUs based on Athlon 64 architecture can be found with the following socket types:
- Socket 754: Used by early Athlon 64, some Sempron models and Turion 64. Their memory controller is single channel, meaning that the CPU accesses memory at 64-bit rate.
- Socket 939: Used by Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 processors. Their memory controller is dual channel, meaning that the CPU accesses memory at 128-bit rate, if two memory modules are used.
- Socket 940: Used by early Athlon 64 FX and Opteron processors. Their memory controller is dual channel, meaning that the CPU accesses memory at 128-bit rate, if two memory modules (or an even number of memory modules) are used. They require ECC memory type.
Other features found on processors based on Athlon 64 architecture are:
- The processors are not sold by their clock rate but by a “performance rating†(PR) figure.
- Addressing up to 1 TB (terabyte) of RAM memory (address bus with 40 addressing lines, 2^40 = 1 TB).
- Support for MMX, SSE and SSE2 instructions (SSE3 only on the latest models).
- EVP (Enhanced Virus Protection) Technology, also known as “NX Bit Diableâ€, read our tutorial on this subject.
- Cool’n’Quiet and PowerNow! Technologies, click here to learn more about them.
Let’s now see all Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 X2 models released to date.
Athlon 64
Athlon 64 can be found on socket 754 and socket 939 versions. As we explained before, socket 939 versions can use dual channel memory configuration, doubling the memory transfer rate if you use two memory modules on your system.
Athlon 64 can use several different cores, and we’ve already written a full article on that. You may want to read it if you want to learn more about this subject.
Athlon 64 main features include:
- 64 KB instruction L1 memory cache and 64 KB data L1 memory cache
- 512 KB or 1 MB L2 memory cache
- HyperTransport bus running at 800 MHz (3.2 GB/s) or 1 GHz (4 GB/s). These clocks may also be referred as “1,600 MHz†or “2,000 MHzâ€, respectively.
- DDR dual channel configuration on socket 939 models (you need to install two memory modules to use this feature).
- SSE3 instruction set on some models (“Venice†and “San Diego†cores).
On the table below we list all Athlon 64 released to date.
Athlon 64 FX
Athlon 64 FX is a processor targeted to high-end gamers. Originally the difference between Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX was the amount of L2 memory cache (512 KB on Athlon 64 vs. 1 MB on Athlon 64 FX) and better overclocking capability, provided by an unlocked clock multiplier. All other CPUs from both Intel and AMD have a fixed clock multiplier, not allowing you to increase it – on all other CPUs the only way to overclock the CPU is to increase their external clock. Thus on Athlon 64 FX you have two options when overclocking the CPU: increasing the CPU base clock (also known as HTT clock), which defaults to 200 MHz, and/or increasing its clock multiplier.
When Athlon 64 processors started to be shipped also with 1 MB, the difference between them became the unlocked clock multiplier – Athlon 64 4000+ and Athlon 64 FX-53 are the same processor, for instance. However, if you pay close attention on the table below you will see that the highest clocked processors from AMD are found on Athlon 64 FX line.
Athlon 64 FX main features include:
- 64 KB instruction L1 memory cache and 64 KB data L1 memory cache.
- 1 MB L2 memory cache.
- HyperTransport bus running at 800 MHz (3.2 GB/s) or 1 GHz (4 GB/s). These clocks may also be referred as “1,600 MHz†or “2,000 MHzâ€, respectively.
- DDR dual channel configuration on all models (you need to install two or an even number of memory modules to use this feature).
- Early Athlon 64 FX models used socket 940, which required ECC memory modules.
- SSE3 instruction set on some models.
On the table below we list all Athlon 64 FX released to date.
Athlon 64 X2
Athlon 64 X2 is an Athlon 64 with dual-core technology, i.e. it has two complete CPUs packed together. Read our tutorial Dual Core AMD Processors to learn more about this technology.
All Athlon 64 X2 processors use socket 939 pinout, but you need to perform a BIOS upgrade if your motherboard was released before they reached the market in order to support them.
Athlon 64 X2 main features include:
- 64 KB instruction L1 memory cache and 64 KB data L1 memory cache for each core
- 512 KB or 1 MB L2 memory cache for each core
- HyperTransport bus running at 1 GHz (4 GB/s). This clock may also be referred as “2,000 MHzâ€.
- Socket 939.
- DDR dual channel configuration on all models (you need to install two or an even number of memory modules to use this feature).
- SSE3 instruction set on all models.
On the table below we list all Athlon 64 X2 released to date.
Athlon 64 FX-60 : Updated
Just Released - AMD Readies Dual-Core Gaming Chip
Powerful FX gaming processors are the latest chips to get a second core.
- The FX-57 came with 1MB of Level 2 cache, but the FX-60 features 1MB of Level 2 cache dedicated to each core.
- AMD claims that even players of single-core games will see an increase in performance with the dual-core 2.6-GHz FX-60 as compared to the single-core 2.8-GHz FX-57 processor.
- The FX-60 processor will cost $1031 in quantities of 1000 when it is formally released Tuesday.
- Current FX processor owners will be able to pop the new chip into their existing motherboards but will need to perform a BIOS update.
- Clocked at 2.6GHz, the new flagship desktop processor uses the Toledo core, which features 1MB L2 cache on each core.
- Preliminary reviews show the processor to be a decent overclocker, with average overclocks reaching 2.8-2.9GHz.
- Like all processors in the FX line the FX-60 has an unlocked multiplier which allows for more freedom when it comes to front side bus adjustments.
- At post time, Newegg.com's price is $1,399.00.
