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Guide to AMD® Desktop Processors for Personal Computers
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Processor Micro-Architecture
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Details
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| AMD 64™ /K10 | Advanced Micro
Devices (AMD) K10 (or "Stars") comprise the 65 nanometre (65nm)
"Barcelona" and 45nm "Shanghai" families of server processors,
and the 65nm and 45nm "Stars" families of desktop processors.
Most 65nm versions have been discontinued and are no longer
listed here. K10 45nm processors include the Phenom II Xn and Athlon II Xn series plus a low powered series for nettops and the newest version of the single core Sempron processor. Some are offered in both Socket AM3 and Socket AM2+ versions. Socket AM3 is now the dominant processor interface. Recently, it has become popular among certain tech-writers to refer to the 45nm versions as K10.5. I have no objection to that and may indeed rename this document section. |
| AMD 64™ /K8 | Most AMD K8 desktop models have been phased out. Remaining production is centered around a few low-powered OEM models offered with entry-level computers. |
| AMD Black Edition Processors | AMD Black Edition™ models are offered from both micro-architectures listed above. AMD Black Edition processors feature an unlocked core multiplier allowing easy custom configuration of processor performance in like manner to Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition and Core 2 Extreme models but at a fraction of the price. AMD Black Edition models such as the Phenom II X4 965 BE are ideal for enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their computing experience at reasonable expense. |
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Hex-Core Processors
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Details
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Phenom
II X6 Socket AM3
The AMD Phenom II X6 six-core series is now available. The X6 T series feature Turbo Core for improved performance. All are excellent for video editing and image manipulation services. Except as noted, all models have 512KB L2 Cache per core plus 6MB shared L3 Cache for a total of 9MB on-die cache RAM. |
Phenom II X6 45nm "Thuban" AM3 125W 1090T 3.20 GHz 9MB Black Edition 1055T 2.80 GHz 9MB |
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Quad-Core Processors
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Details
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Phenom
II X4 Socket AM3/AM2+
The AMD Phenom II
X4 series are excellent processors. Socket AM3 models are the newest
standard compatible
with DDR3 RAM as well as backward compatible with Socket AM2+
and DDR2 RAM. |
Phenom II X4 45nm "Deneb" AM3 140W 965 3.4 GHz 8MB Black Edition To be discontinued late 2010. Phenom II X4 45nm "Deneb" AM3 125W 955 3.2 GHz 8MB Black Edition Phenom II X4 45nm "Deneb" AM2+ 125W 940 3.0 GHz 8MB Black Edition 920 2.8 GHz 8MB Phenom II X4 45nm "Deneb" AM3/AM2+ 95W 925 2.8 GHz 8MB 810 2.6 GHz 6MB 805 2.4 GHz 6MB The following models are designed for quieter environments such as a home theatre (HTPC). Phenom II X4 45nm "Deneb" AM3/AM2+ 65W 910e 2.6 GHz 8MB 905e 2.5 GHz 8MB 900e 2.4 GHz 8MB |
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Athlon
II X4 Socket AM3
AMD Athlon II X4 processors are new lower mainstream quad-core models with 512KB L2 Cache per core and zero L3 Cache. They are very competitively priced setting a new standard for processor value. |
Athlon II X4 45nm "Propus" AM3 95W 635 2.9 GHz 2MB 630 2.8 GHz 2MB 620 2.6 GHz 2MB |
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Tri-Core Processors
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Details
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Phenom
II X3 Socket AM3 This is an excellent triple-core version of the Phenom II series. Except as noted, all models have a total of 1.5 MB L2 Cache (512 KB/core) plus 6MB shared L3 Cache for a total of 7.5MB on-die RAM. |
Phenom
II X3 45nm "Heka" 95W except as noted
705e 2.5 GHz
7.5MB 65W |
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Athlon
II X3 Socket AM3 The Athlon II X3 has 1.5 MB L2 Cache (512 KB x 3) and zero L3 Cache. |
Athlon II
X3 45nm "Rana" - 95W 440 3.0 GHz 435 2.9 GHz Review at THG 425 2.7 GHz |
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Dual-Core Processors
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Details
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Phenom
II X2 Socket AM3 The Phenom II X2 is AMD's top-of-the-line dual-core processor. Except as noted, all Phenom II X2 models are manufactured with 45nm technology and have 512KB L2 Cache per core plus 6 MB shared L3 Cache. |
Phenom II X2 45nm "Callisto" 80W 555 3.2 GHz Black Edition 550 3.1 GHz Black Edition 545 3.0 GHz |
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Athlon
II X2 Socket AM3 Except as noted, all Athlon II X2 models have 2 MB L2 Cache (1 MB x 2) and no L3 Cache. This basic dual core processor family performs well. Models with a "u" suffix are underclocked ultra energy-efficient models that successfully compete against Intel Atom processors and are offered in newer nettop systems. |
Athlon II X2 45nm "Regor" 65W
except as noted 260 3.2 GHz 255 3.1 GHz 250 3.0 GHz 245 2.9 GHz 240 2.8 GHz 235e 2.7 GHz 45W 260u 1.7 GHz 25W OEM 250u 1.6 GHz 25W OEM 215 2.7 GHz 1MB OEM |
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Athlon
X2 Socket AM2+ This is a low-cost 45nm processor based upon the Phenom II X4 "Deneb" core. Production duration is unknown. |
Athlon X2 45nm "Deneb" 65W 5000+ 2.2 GHz 1MB |
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Athlon
X2
Socket AM2 The 3250e at right is a dual core low power competitor to the Intel Atom that will remain in production through 2010. |
Athlon X2 65nm
"Brisbane" |
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Single-Core Processors
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Details
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Sempron Socket AM3,
AM2+
This is AMD's new and substantially improved entry-level processor family based upon the K10 micro-architecture. |
Sempron 45nm "Sargas" 45W 145 2.8 GHz 1MB 140 2.7 GHz 1MB |
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Athlon Socket AM2 The Athlon 2850e and 2650e are renamed K8 Sempron CPUs with reduced core voltage (Vcore). They significantly outperform competing single core Intel Atom processors but with higher power consumption. The Athlon 2850e and 2650e are offered with Dell Zino HD and with eMachines systems. |
Athlon
"Lima" 65nm 45W Athlon
"Sparta" 65nm 15W |
| Upcoming processors and technologies: |
AMD announced their next micro-architecture will be nicknamed "Bulldozer". Some models will feature a fully integrated DX11 graphics product in the processor core known as "Fusion" primarily for laptops. Bulldozer and Fusion are expected during 2011. Bulldozer is expected to be based on a 32nm process. |
7/16/2010
Primary market and production information sources include:
http://www.amd.com
http://www.dailytech.com
http://www.digitimes.com
http://www.hkepc.com