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Processor Architecture
You have probably already read that
there are going to be 2 AMD Athlon 64 processors available.
One is the Athlon 64, which will be targeted towards
the tech-savvy and mainstream users, while the other
will be the Athlon 64 FX range, which is the top of
the line 64-bit processor from AMD targeted towards
the pc enthusiasts (gamers and prosumers)
What you want to know though are the main differences
between the 2 processors. See below for the for the
technical differences
AMD Athlon 64 Architecture
( ^ Click for better image ^)
Integrated DDR Memory Controller
- Removes performance hitting system bottlenecks
- Boosts performance for virtually all applications,
especially memory intensive applications
- PC3200, PC2700, PC2100 or PC1600 DDR SDRAM support
- Unbuffered DIMMs
- 64-bit interface
- 3.2 GB/s memory bandwidth
AMD64 Technology Core
- Industy-leading performance for today's 32-bit
applications
- Ready for tomorrow's 64-bit software
- Extended system lifecycle by simultaneously and
transparently mixing 32-bit and 64-bit applications
on the same platform
L2 Cache
- Largest on-die cache memory system
- 64KB L1 instruction cache
- 64KB L1 data cache
- 1024KB L2 cache
- 1152KB total effective cache
- Improves performance for many applications, especially
large workloads
HyperTransport™
- A System Bus that uses HyperTransport™ technology
for high-speed I/O communcation
- 6.4 GB/s of available system bandwidth
- 1600MHz System Bus
AMD Athlon 64 FX Architecture
( ^ Click for better image
^)
Integrated DDR Memory Controller
- High-performance, high-bandwidth
- Significantly reduces DRAM latency
- Boost performance for virtually all applications,
especially memory intensive applications
- PC3200, PC2700, PC2100 or PC1600 DDR SDRAM support
- Registered DIMMs
- 128-bit interface
- 6.4 GB/s memory bandwidth
AMD64 Technology Core
- Leading-edge software performance and new experiences
& capabilities
- Simultaneous, high-performance 32- and 64-bit
computing
- 2x internal registers for greater performance
- Addressability well beyond 4GB for new experiences
and capabilities impossible with existing technology
L2 Cache
- Largest on-die cache memory system
- 64KB L1 instruction cache
- 64KB L1 data cache
- 1024KB L2 cache
- 1152KB total effective cache
- Improves performance for many applications, especially
large workloads
HyperTransport™
- A System Bus that uses HyperTransport™ technology
for high-speed I/O communcation
- 6.4 GB/s of available system bandwidth
- 1600MHz System Bus
Register Differences
- AMD64
- 64-bit integer registers
- 48-bit Virtual Address
- 40-bit Physical Address
- REX - Register Extensions
- Sixteen 64-bit integer registers
- Sixteen 128-bit SSE registers
- SSE2 Instruction Set
- Double precision scalar and vector operations
- 16x8, 8x16 way vector MMX operations
- SSE1 already added with AMD Athlon™ processor
Whats happening with the PR
Rating?
The Athlon 64 processor will continue
to use the now common PR Rating that AMD supplies
to their processors. This is comparing the processor
performance to the equivalent Thunderbird actual speed.
The Athlon 64 FX however will see a new type of processor
identification. As proven by AMD, the amount in MHz
does not necesarily mean that the processor will work
faster - its all down to what the processor can do
in an amount of cycles. So out of the window goes
the MHz standard or PR standard, and in comes the
processor Series Numbers!
According to AMD, the above standard
will be able to communicate relative performance amongst
'FX' class processors which will be well understood
by the target audience, while adding a level of distinction
and sophistcation. I must admit, it does sound kinda'
cool!
When are the Athlon 64's out
and what will be available?
Both the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX-51
will be available at launch. The Athlon 64 desktop
variant will be released as a 3200+ PR rating, while
the mobile variants will be released as 3000+ and
3200+.
The mobile variants will feature all the innovations
of the AMD Athlon 64 processor, plus:
- Advanced power management with AMD PowerNow!™
- Compatability with todays most popular wireless
LAN solutions
(you are looking at roughly 3 hours battery life
for full load)
For those of you wondering what the Athlon 64 FX-51
compares to roughly in PR ratings, its around 3600+/3800+
with an actual operating frequency of 2.2GHz!
Is there anything else different on the Athlon
64 Processors?
As you have probably already read elsewhere, the
Athlon 64 Processors have the Memory Controller embedded
into the CPU itself, making the Northbridge smaller
as it is now only an AGP controller. The Athlon 64
and Athlon 64 FX processors also have a technology
called Cool 'n' Quiet™.
Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology enables frequency and
voltage switching to reduce power and fan speeds.
While it is still uncertain if it will be implemented
on all 754-pin Athlon™ 64 desktop processors and will
not be a requirement to be enabled until February
2004, many motherboard partners will have the feature
prior to February due to customer interest. The expected
time AMD thinks customers will begin implementing
the feature is in Q4.
The Manufacturers will need the folllowing to use
Cool 'n' Quiet:
- Athlon™ 64 processor supporting Cool 'n' Quiet
- Platform and BIOS supporting Cool 'n' Quiet
- Software driver supporting the feature
- Heatsink-driven fan throttling
- All Athlon™ 64 PIB models are to have thermally-controlled
fans
So what does this really mean to the real world?
The processor, when not in use, can throttle itself
down to 800Mhz (the estimated lowest speed) which
would reduce average and idle processor power, be
less strain on cooling systems and will result in
quieter systems!
If you are worried that you are not working at the
designated speed you should be, there is no need to
panic! Cool 'n' Quiet™ gives you performance on demand,
meaning when you need the power back, you will get
it instantly.
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