All New AM2 Processors
AMD is fitting the AM2 socket with 17 new processors with the DDR2 memory interface, including six Sempron CPUs, two new Athlon 64s and a top model: the Athlon 64 FX-62 with 2.8 GHz. According to AMD, processors for Socket 939 will continue to be available, but no new models will be developed.
The new top CPU from AMD: The Athlon 64 FX-62
The Athlon 64 FX-62 is now clocked at 2.8 GHz
The fastest available Athlon 64 with 2.6 GHz
The switch to DDR2 means that the CPUs need a stepping update. The old E stepping was replaced in both the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX by the new F revision. This has also raised the number of transistors slightly; among the processors with 1 MB L2 cache, the number of transistors has grown from 223.5 million to 227.4 million, while those with 512 kB cache have increased from 150 million to 153.8 million. The models with 1 MB have a die surface area of 230 mm². The processors with 512 kB Cache usually cover 183 mm², but may also be the same size as a 1 MB CPU, if the active cache is cut in half. The new CPUs continue to be manufactured using 90 nm process technology.
| AMD Athlon AM2 Processors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Clock Speed | Core | L2 Cache | Memory Clock |
| FX-62 | 2.80 GHz | Dual | 1 MB | DDR2-800 |
| X2 5000+ | 2.60 GHz | Dual | 512 kB | DDR2-743 |
| X2 4800+ | 2.40 GHz | Dual | 1 MB | DDR2-800 |
| X2 4600+ | 2.40 GHz | Dual | 512 kB | DDR2-800 |
| X2 4400+ | 2.20 GHz | Dual | 1 MB | DDR2-733 |
| X2 4200+ | 2.20 GHz | Dual | 512 kB | DDR2-733 |
| X2 4000+ | 2.00 GHz | Dual | 1 MB | DDR2-800 |
| X2 3800+ | 2.00 GHz | Dual | 512 kB | DDR2-800 |
| 3800+ | 2.40 GHz | Single | 512 kB | DDR2-800 |
| 3500+ | 2.20 GHz | Single | 512 kB | DDR2-733 |
| 3200+ | 2.00 GHz | Single | 512 kB | DDR2-800 |
Taking a close look at the CPU list, along with the processors' properties and memory clock speeds, it's plain to see that the 5000+ is surplus to requirements. The 4000+ is included as a new candidate in the middle, which wasn't around for Socket 939.
| AMD Sempron AM2 Processors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Clock Speed | Core | L2 Cache | Memory Clock |
| 3600+ | 2.00 GHz | Single | 256 kB | DDR2-800 |
| 3500+ | 2.00 GHz | Single | 128 kB | DDR2-800 |
| 3400+ | 1.80 GHz | Single | 256 kB | DDR2-720 |
| 3200+ | 1.80 GHz | Single | 128 kB | DDR2-720 |
| 3000+ | 1.60 GHz | Single | 256 kB | DDR2-800 |
| 2800+ | 1.60 GHz | Single | 128 kB | DDR2-800 |
The Sempron now has more than 81.1 million transistors. All previous Sempron models were only available for Socket 754 and had to make do with a single-channel memory interface. That is a thing of the past at AMD, as all CPUs for the new Socket AM2 have a dual-channel interface. Because the Sempron still has a very small cache of 128 kB or 256 kB, it depends on high memory bandwidths. All Sempron fans can now look forward to faster speeds on the new platform.
