AMD Reaches Performance Everest with New 64-bit Chips
 

As expected, AMD on Tuesday delivers its new AMD64 chips with revamped micro-architecture and higher performance. The microprocessors are able to rock the 32-bit world as well as to provide kicking headroom into the 64-bit cavern, the experts say.

Advanced Micro Devices today rolls-out a new flavour of AMD64 microprocessors that once again reveal us some new performance boundaries in widely-available 32-bit applications in addition to 64-bit titles arising on the horizon. Besides revamped micro-architecture, the new products sport high-performing dual-channel DDR memory controller as well as seem to be fully ready for the upcoming PCI Express bus.

AMD today unveils four new chips in new 939-pin that are likely to become popular among enthusiasts of high-performance computing: AMD Athlon 64 FX-53 for Socket 949, AMD Athlon 64 3800+, AMD Athlon 64 3700+ and 3500+.

AMD Athlon 64 processors with 939 pins integrate 512KB of L2, only a half of the size incorporated into the previous 754-pin chips, but take advantage of the very efficient dual-channel memory controller that is likely to decrease the impact of cut-down cache and even improve performance of 939-pin chips over 754-pin processors with 1MB on-die secondary-level cache, which is why CPUs in different types of packaging does not have similar model numbers at equal clock-speeds. The AMD Athlon 64 FX parts will continue to have 1MB of L2 after the transition to Socket 939.

One of the other advantages AMD64 processors in PGA939 packaging are expected to provide is faster 1000MHz HyperTransport bus that connects central processing units to other parts of the system. Current AMD Athlon 64 chips use 800MHz HT bus.

Leading retailers are about to begin sales of AMD Athlon 64 microprocessors in PGA939 form-factor. ASUSTeK Computer will be one of the first suppliers of mainboards with Socket 939. Other leading mainboard makers are also likely to showcase their offerings at the show in Taipei, Taiwan..

While there are some questions about volume availability of the new AMD64 chips, AMD is still likely to fulfill the high-end orders on its new processors. Moreover, the chips are able to bit Intel’s Pentium 4 high-performance chips today.

All pricing is in 1000-unit quantities. The AMD Athlon 64 FX-53 processor is priced at $799. The AMD Athlon 64 processor models 3800+, 3700+ and 3500+ are priced at $720, $710 and $500, respectively. All the SKUs are immediately available.

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