AMD Processors Explained
Part I
On these pages I am describing the technologies found on the AMD processors. You will find information for the 3 major families called Athlon, Sempron and Phenom. They are all AMD CPUs for desktop computers. I am also describing their series such as FX, X2, etc...
AMD started being a leader in CPU construction in 1991 and was the only one who was facing Intel when they built their first Intel 386 clone called AM386. Since that date, AMD has produced and started selling their AMD processors all over the world with great success.
Over the years, AMD has slowly taken a different path than Intel, grabbing the advantage of the always growing entertainment industry. AMD started producing CPUs better adapted for games and animation's softwares introducing technologies like 3DNow to enhance animations and motions in games, as in professional softwares.
From now on, AMD processors are getting better and never stop hitting higher levels in speed, power and technologies as you will see through these pages.
Part I: AMD Athlon CPU Family
AMD Athlon
AMD Athlon
The family of the AMD Athlon has been the first to offer a 64 bit CPU running on the AMD64 technology. The Athlon processor can run 32 bit applications at top speed as 64 bit applications running on a platform made for the AMD64 technology.
On top of that, AMD introduce the Enhance Virus Protection (EVP) that works on systems using windows xp with service pack 2. When combined with a virus protection software, the EVP feature enhance the protection against viruses.
The features on the AMD Athlon are:
- The AMD64 to increase the memory adressability
- The 3DNow! and SSE2/3 for multimedia enhancements
- Up to 2000 MHz system bus using the Hyper Transport technology
- A memory controller supporting most memory standards like the PC3200
- The Cool 'N' Quiet energy efficiency that lowers heat and noise
AMD Athlon 64 X2
AMD Athlon X2
The AMD Athlon 64 X2 is a Dual Core CPU for desktop computers. The chip has 2 cores instead of 1. The great advantage of the Dual Core technology is the speed at which it runs when multitasking.
When running multiple programs simultaneously it makes a great difference in response time and efficiency. For office workers, it means less time lost by the response time when switching between 2 programs. When mega tasking like some would say, with a single core CPU the response time is significant and can become frustrating.
Imagine the Dual Core technology as 2 CPUs working simultaneously on 2 different programs. The speed difference is enormous.
The features on the AMD Athlon 64 X2 are the same as the AMD Athlon above.
AMD Athlon 64 FX
Athlon FX
The AMD Athlon 64 FX is the most advanced CPU of the Athlon family. It is a Dual Core like the Athlon X2, but works in pair on a Quad FX platform using the Dual Socket Direct Connect (DSDC) architecture. The Quad FX platform is the first Dual Socket platform designed to work under Windows Vista.
On their website AMD added this sentence in the description. "The AMD Athlon™ FX processor brings the next generation of digital media and games to life".
I have no doubt about this just by thinking about the power and speed 2 CPUs with Dual Cores can produce when working together.
Besides the original features from the Athlon family, the Athlon FX has 2 other features.
- The DSDC architecture allowing 2 Athlon FX CPUs to run on the same platform
- The AMD Virtualization (AMD-V) chip helping virtualization softwares to run faster
[I hope you appreciated the part I of AMD processors
and I invite you to take a look at the other guides.]
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Part II AMD Processor Explained >>>
