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The Athlon 64 (codenamed "ClawHammer" and "Newcastle") represents AMD's entry into the consumer 64-bit microprocessor market, released on September 23rd, 2003. This processor is based on the AMD64 architecture. It is AMD's first eighth generation processor core (K8) for desktop and mobile computers.
There are two variants: Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX. The Athlon 64 FX is positioned as a prosumer product, always one speed step above the fastest Athlon 64. As an implementation of the AMD64 architecture, the Athlon 64 is able to run 32 bit x86, 16 bit, and AMD64 code.
Athlon 64 CG ("Newcastle") in Socket 754 Features
The Athlon 64 features an on-die memory controller, a feature not previously seen on mainstream CPUs. This is useful as it vastly reduces the latency between the CPU and main memory - there is no longer a "northbridge" having to negotiate access, and the on-die controller runs at the same clock rate as the CPU itself.
The on-die memory controller and other architectural enhancements give it greater performance at the same clock speed over the previous Athlon and Athlon XP generation, even when running legacy 32-bit code. AMD has chosen to market the Athlon 64 using a PR rating to represent performance.
Athlon 64 also features CPU speed throttling technology branded Cool 'n' Quiet. When the user is running undemanding applications and the load on the processor is light, the processor's clock speed and voltage are reduced. This in turn reduces its peak power consumption from 89 W to as low as 32 W (stepping C0, clock speed reduced to 800 MHz) or 22W (stepping CG, clock speed reduced to 1 GHz).
The Athlon 64 CPUs have been produced with 130 nm and 90 nm process technologies. Only a few of the latest chips (Athlon 64 3000+, 3200+ and 3500+ for the Socket 939) have been on 90 nm so far.
Sockets
- 754: The Athlon 64 value/budget line, 64-bit memory interface
- 939: Athlon 64 performance line and newer Athlon 64 FXs, 128-bit memory interface
- 940: Opteron and old Athlon 64 FX, 128-bit memory interface - Requires registered DDR memory, but can use ECC
At the introduction of Athlon 64 in September 2003, only Socket 754 and Socket 940 were available. AMD quickly noticed that the memory bandwidth of Socket 754 was not enough for serious applications, so as a stopgap measure they brought out a non-multiprocessor version of the Opteron and called it Athlon 64 FX, releasing it for Socket 940.
In June 2004, AMD released Socket 939 to fully serve the Athlon 64 product line, leaving Socket 940 solely for the server market (Opterons) and relegating Socket 754 as a value/budget line, for Semprons and slower versions of the Athlon 64. Eventually Socket 754 will permanently replace Socket A for Semprons.
AMD also appears to be planning a new socket architecture to succeed Socket 939, codenamed M2. Socket M2 is expected to come out in the first half of 2006, and it will support DDR-2, security and virtualization features.
Future
AMD is due to release a new stepping (E0) in the first half of 2005, which brings updates to the memory controller, SSE3 instruction set support and reduced power requirements thanks to a new type of strained silicon called dual stress liner strained silicon. These will potentially allow Athlon 64 to be clocked past 3.0 GHz, corresponding to a PR rating of 4500+ or higher.
In mid-2005 AMD will release dual-core processors based on the K8 core, but the Athlon 64 product line will not have dual-core offerings. Instead, dual-core processors will be offered in the Athlon 64 FX and Opteron product lines. AMD demonstrated a four-way dual-core (8 cores in total) Opteron server on September 1st, 2004. The dual-core processors will start out at the 90 nm process technology. AMD claims the K8 core was designed for dual-core capabilities from day one.
See also
External links
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