INFO: What AMD Athlon CPU's are there and what is the difference between them
 

* AMD A64 socket 939 FX
__ ~€800 euro
__ dual channel memory controller onboard
__ 1mb l2 cache
__ 32 - 64bit hybrid processor (²)

* AMD A64 socket 939
__ ~€400
__ dual channel memory controller onboard
__ 512kb l2 cache
__ 32 - 64bit hybrid processor (²)

* AMD A64 socket 754
__ ~€150
__ single channel memory controller onboard
__ 512kb l2 (except for a few models which come with 1mb cache but lower Mhz speed
__ 32 - 64bit hybrid processor (²)

* AMD A64 socket 754 Sempron (3100+)
__ ~€140
__ single channel memory controller onboard
__ 256kb l2 cache
__ 32bit processor (64bit extensions disabled)

* AMD Barton socket A
__ ~€75 euro
__ 512kb l2 cache
__ 32bit processor

* AMD Sempron socket A (2200-2800+)
__ ~€45
__ 256kb l2 cache
__ 32bit processor
__ same as old Athlon XP but and FSB of 166Mhz instead of 133Mhz.

(²) Able to run 32-bit applications and games as well as 64-bit programs (Linux 64bit, Windows XP 64bit beta). Although the average user will experience no benefit from the 64bit abilities, it seems the A64 is very fast for 32bit tasks as well!

The best choice at this moment price/performance is the A64 3000+ (€175) in combination with a Socket 754 motherboard (equipped with nForce3 250gb or VIA KT880 Pro chipset)

If you want to have more then 1.5gb ram, or you are planning a CPU upgrade within the year the smarter choice now is an A64 3500+ with a Socket 939 motherboard.

Only consider the Socket A Barton/Sempron if you are on a tight budget or you don't use your PC for more then occasional surfing/music/movie/gaming.

Intel, at this point in time, is no option for any self respecting PC Enthusiast.

© RichBastard

Re: INFO: What AMD Athlon CPU's are there and what is the difference between them
 

Nice :super: and usefull (if you don't know the differences)

Nice overview of the AMD line.

Although I'm definilty no intel fan. There are reasons that no A-brand is using them. And those reasons do have a place in the enthusiast market.
Bashing them this way is just dumb.

Nobody is "bashing" anyone afaik.

Well, why don't you make one for Intel ? :D

look at the last line in my post please... :p

Intel Northwood from 2.4C to 3C with high OCing ability; already high memory bandwidth and current cut pricing will hold ground.;)

we are talking about none OC of course, because if you take OC into account then a Mobile Barton running at 2500-2600Mhz kicks the hell out of that P4 "C" system at a fraction of the cost.

I love my XP2600+M.;)

right saying that intel is no option is't the least bit disrespectfull.

I know many people that think AMD is bad because hardly any A-brand is using them. That's wrong and short sighted.

Saying intel is bad, knowing that every A-brand is using them is foolish.

I love my PIV3C ;)

don't know why, it's my main system for more then a year and a half now, and I had my share of A64's to play with.

best buy is indeed the A64 3000+ only the lack of hyperthreading (can't live without it) is a disadvantage.

I love the P4 'C' Northwood too, but unfortunatly that's irrelevant as you can only buy Prescotts nowadays.

The first post is translated from a forumpost I made in shrimpwars. If I knew it 'd be upgraded to a FAQ I would have chosen my words better, but I stand by my point the current Intel Prescott processors are not worth considering for homebuilt PC's. They're more expensive, the stock cooler is unbearable, and they feel very sluggish compared to the A64.

Disclaimer: I've owned and operated multiple P4 northwood and prescott powered computers, and not all AMD processors are great. ;)

read what's in first post only, dont speculate! just because Dell & HP are using P4's in their desktop doesnt mean it is the SMART CHOICE for the end user and us the enthusiasts. AMD now has the lead in price & performance ratio! Intel does not.

this post is for PC Enthusiasts, not for Dell nor HP. read please before replying or also "put brain into gear before mouth" :p

I have Prescott too; but I don't like it, slower than Norwood. I don't know why I have so many systems running just for thermal testing.

My favorite is the 2.4C at 270FSB simple air cooling with Stock HSF.;) The AXP-M is next; but spoiled by HT.

The next one will have to be A64 Mobile for kicks.

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Oh, did not read Dell/HP stuffs; they are for bookworms.:D

They now have enthusiasts game machines; but enthusiasts won't buy a preassembled rig; they will be laughed at by their "buddies".:^D

not every P4 reaches such high overclocks, so that doesnt really count in my humble opinion :)

Sounds like my brother-in-law. To him, clock speed is an end all. He bags on me for my "slow" AMD64, at the stock 2gig (although now it's running fine at 2.3 :)) because he's running an Intel P4 at it's stock 3.2gig... and he calls his a "Beast Machine"... give me a break.

Let me get some decent RAM and a similar graphics card in here... and he can just sit and spin when he sees MY BMs...