Fleets of New AMD Processors Closing in

[TheMailMan78]

Thats a good question, I always thought that all AM3 processors would be AM2+ compatible, but AM2+ processors would not be AM3 compatible.

I believe AMD made sure of this by removing a pin on the AM3 socket/Processors, so that you could still put an AM3 processor in an AM2+ socket, but you couldn't put an AM2+ processor in an AM3 socket(due to the extra pin).

This is correct. My board is an AM2+ board that can run an AM3 CPU. However an AM3 board cannot run a AM2+ processor. The only real difference in the AM3 board supports DDR3 where the AM2+ only supports DDR2. If they removed the memory controller from the CPU like Intel this wouldn't even be an issue.

 

[newtekie1]

This is correct. My board is an AM2+ board that can run an AM3 CPU. However an AM3 board cannot run a AM2+ processor. The only real difference in the AM3 board supports DDR3 where the AM2+ only supports DDR2. If they removed the memory controller from the CPU like Intel this wouldn't even be an issue.

Intel never removed the memory controller from the CPU, AMD just added it to the CPU. It was wonderful for memory latency, and overall a good thing for performance. Which is why Intel finally did the same thing with the i7/i5.

Of course, the down side is that every time you add a new memory configuration, you have to change sockets. Which is why AMD had to change from 754 to 939** when they added Dual-Channel DDR support, then from 939 to AM2 when they went to DDR2, then AM3 when they went DDR3.

**Of course the move to 939 was also to prep for Dual-Core processors.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Intel never removed the memory controller from the CPU, AMD just added it to the CPU. It was wonderful for memory latency, and overall a good thing for performance. Which is why Intel finally did the same thing with the i7/i5.

Of course, the down side is that every time you add a new memory configuration, you have to change sockets. Which is why AMD had to change from 754 to 939** when they added Dual-Channel DDR support, then from 939 to AM2 when they went to DDR2, then AM3 when they went DDR3.

**Of course the move to 939 was also to prep for Dual-Core processors.

I didn't realize that Intels memory controller was on the CPU. Thanks for the edumacation.

Anyway I wonder if they will ever move the memory controller back to the mobo. It would allow mobos to last a lot longer you would think.

 

[burtram]

Some of those look really nice, if the price is right. Do you think they'd work in my htpc's Gigabyte 780G mb?

 

[suraswami]

Intel never removed the memory controller from the CPU, AMD just added it to the CPU. It was wonderful for memory latency, and overall a good thing for performance. Which is why Intel finally did the same thing with the i7/i5.

Of course, the down side is that every time you add a new memory configuration, you have to change sockets. Which is why AMD had to change from 754 to 939** when they added Dual-Channel DDR support, then from 939 to AM2 when they went to DDR2, then AM3 when they went DDR3.

**Of course the move to 939 was also to prep for Dual-Core processors.

I thought on Pre i7/i5 and Athlon XP/Duron days the NorthBridge which is part of chipset controls the memory?

 

[suraswami]

Some of those look really nice, if the price is right. Do you think they'd work in my htpc's Gigabyte 780G mb?

why not! usually gigabyte is fast in posting an updated bios for new cpus released.

 

[newtekie1]

I thought on Pre i7/i5 and Athlon XP/Duron days the NorthBridge which is part of chipset controls the memory?

Correct, AMD moved the memory controller onto the CPU when they moved from Socket A to Socket 754. Intel left it on the Northbridge with socket 775, and finally moved it onto the CPU with i7.

 

[cdawall]

meh.... :shadedshu

WHERE IS THE INTEL KILLER!

This is where I think AMD needs to focus some efforts. Make a chip that crushes any current chip that Intel has out. Come on AMD, time for a revival. Quit making so many "meh" mid range chips and put out a monster that would make intel scramble.

these chips will be targed at low power and the E8x00 series which they should outperform easily and if these chips can unlock to quads who would complain about a 3.1ghz quad (P2 X2 550) for the price of an E8600?

 

[TheMailMan78]

Correct, AMD moved the memory controller onto the CPU when they moved from Socket A to Socket 754. Intel left it on the Northbridge with socket 775, and finally moved it onto the CPU with i7.

Oh so the memory controller is new on the Intel chips. So I was right.....kinda.

 

[Melvis]

Correct, AMD moved the memory controller onto the CPU when they moved from Socket A to Socket 754. Intel left it on the Northbridge with socket 775, and finally moved it onto the CPU with i7.

I think you will find that Skt A also had the OBMC

 

[DaJMasta]

AMD will have low TDP quads????!!!?!



AMD will have 45W TDP quads?!?!?!?!??!!!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!



Good.

 

[mdm-adph]

Anyway I wonder if they will ever move the memory controller back to the mobo. It would allow mobos to last a lot longer you would think.

And stop you from having to buy a new motherboard everytime you have to upgrade? Preposterous.

The way it's done today is far more profitable.

 

[ShadowFold]

Not all AM2+ boards are AM3 capable.

Actually all AM2+ boards will fit any AM3 CPU and work.

 

[newtekie1]

I think you will find that Skt A also had the OBMC

No it didn't, the Athlon64's were the first AMD desktop processors to have the memory controller on the CPU. Socket A still had the memory controller on the Northbridge.

And stop you from having to buy a new motherboard everytime you have to upgrade? Preposterous.

The way it's done today is far more profitable.

It's also better for performance, specifically in programs that rely heavily on memory latencies. It isn't bad as long as you don't plan on upgrading memory sub-systems to often, or include the memory controller for the old sub-system with the new...

Actually all AM2+ boards will fit any AM3 CPU and work.

The AM3 CPU might fit in all AM2+ boards, but all AM2+ motherboards do not support AM3 CPUs. Since they require a BIOS upgrade to support the new processors, if there is no BIOS upgrade available AM3 CPUs will not work. This issue becomes an issue very quickly with boards from companies that have gone out of business, like Abit.

So while all AM3 CPUs support all AM2+ motherboards, not all AM2+ motherboards support all AM3 processors.

 

[cdawall]

The AM3 CPU might fit in all AM2+ boards, but all AM2+ motherboards do not support AM3 CPUs. Since they require a BIOS upgrade to support the new processors, if there is no BIOS upgrade available AM3 CPUs will not work. This issue becomes an issue very quickly with boards from companies that have gone out of business, like Abit.

So while all AM3 CPUs support all AM2+ motherboards, not all AM2+ motherboards support all AM3 processors.

most of these boards will however function with the AM3 chip in them

for giggles i popped my 955/945ES into NF430 series boards and they ran the 955 however did not have the pstates correct so it did run at 3.2ghz however it ran at 800mhz thus proving your point

 

[DrunkenMafia]

Has anyone got any info on mATX AM3 boards with DDR3.. I am dying to get my hands on one.

 

[atlas]

am2+ and am3 sockets

people, don't be confused with am3 (45 nm) technology from am3 socket, am3 cpu (ie, phenom ii 940) comes in with 2 different forms, either for am2+ or am3 socket. it should say right on the box. so, if you have older type of mother board with am2+ socket and want to use am3 cpu then make sure you pick up the one that says am2+ socket on the box, or else it won't fit.

some am2+ mother boards may say "am3 cpu ready" but it doesn't mean that you can slap an am3 cpu (made for am3 socket) into am2+ socket. it just means that the board can take a 45 nm type of cpus. on the other hand, mb with am3 socket are absolutely not compatible with am2+ cpus. i, myself, was once very confused about this. after few built i feel like a rocket scientist .... hope this will help someone of you.

phenom ii x2 550 is my top pick, i am next in line.

 

[atlas]

am2+ and am3 sockets

don't be confused with am3 (45 nm) technology from am3 socket, am3 cpu (ie, phenom ii 940) comes in with 2 different forms, either for am2+ or am3 socket. it should say right on the box. so, if you have older type of mother board with am2+ socket and want to use am3 cpu then make sure you pick up the one that says am2+ socket on the box, or else it won't fit.

some am2+ mother boards may say "am3 cpu ready" but it doesn't mean that you can slap an am3 cpu (made for am3 socket) into am2+ socket. it just means that the board can take a 45 nm type of cpus. on the other hand, mb with am3 socket are absolutely not compatible with am2+ cpus. i, myself, was once very confused about this. after few built i feel like a rocket scientist .... hope this will help someone of you.

phenom ii x2 550 is my top pick, i am next in line.

*********************************************************



The AM3 CPU might fit in all AM2+ boards, but all AM2+ motherboards do not support AM3 CPUs. Since they require a BIOS upgrade to support the new processors, if there is no BIOS upgrade available AM3 CPUs will not work. This issue becomes an issue very quickly with boards from companies that have gone out of business, like Abit.

So while all AM3 CPUs support all AM2+ motherboards, not all AM2+ motherboards support all AM3 processors.[/QUOTE]

 

[crazy pyro]

Good to see AMD finally putting out some kit to compete with the intel duals...

 

[icon1]

would love to see a 45W Phenom II X4...
those 45W X2 chips from AMD will be my choice for an HTPC

 

[cdawall]

people, don't be confused with am3 (45 nm) technology from am3 socket, am3 cpu (ie, phenom ii 940) comes in with 2 different forms, either for am2+ or am3 socket. it should say right on the box. so, if you have older type of mother board with am2+ socket and want to use am3 cpu then make sure you pick up the one that says am2+ socket on the box, or else it won't fit.

some am2+ mother boards may say "am3 cpu ready" but it doesn't mean that you can slap an am3 cpu (made for am3 socket) into am2+ socket. it just means that the board can take a 45 nm type of cpus. on the other hand, mb with am3 socket are absolutely not compatible with am2+ cpus. i, myself, was once very confused about this. after few built i feel like a rocket scientist .... hope this will help someone of you.

phenom ii x2 550 is my top pick, i am next in line.

no there is only one type of phenom II 940 its the AM2+ chip there is no DDR3 controller on any 940 so it cannot be a AM3 chip which has DDR3 on the board. the DDR3 version of the 940 is the 955. all AM3 full fledged chips end in a 5 so the 925, 945, 955 would be AM3 chips which contain a DDR3 and DDR2 memory controller in them.

AM3 also looses a couple of pins so that it will work in both AM2 and AM3 boards but the AM2 chips will not fit in a AM3 board.

 

[btarunr]

45watt quads..... one of those is going straight into my htpc.......

Oh wait it can't because there are no AM3 matx board out yet

Your board supports AM3 processors.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Im loving the news from AMD these days.

 

[DreamSeller]

i'll wait for those 5xx procs to come out