The Third Generation Opterons are server-class processors that can
work in two- and 8-way computer systems. Introduced on September 10,
2007, the Third Generation Opteron processors were the first
quad-core microprocessors produced by AMD. Like all other CPUs based
on the K10 microarchtecture, the Opterons have split 128 Kb level 1
cache and exclusive 512 KB level 2 cache per core. The CPUs also
include large 2 MB level 3 cache shared between all four cores. The
Opteron CPUs support all streaming SIMD extensions up to SSE3, and
include 4 new SSE4a instructions. The Opterons feature AMD64
technology, AMD-V virtualization technology, Enhanced Virus
Protection or NX-bit, and incorporate many power saving features.
Like K8 microprocessors, the
Third Generation Opterons don't use Front-Side Bus. Instead, the
processors use on-chip memory controller to talk directly to DDR2
SDRAM memory, and three high-speed HyperTransport links to
communicate with peripheral devices and other microprocessors in
multi-processing system.
Model numbers of Third Generation Opteron CPUs are similar to model
numbers of Second Generation
Opterons. Opteron model numbers consist of 4 digits:
- The first digit specifies maximum scalability of the CPU.
- The second digit is the socket generation. The second digit is '3'
for K10-based Opterons.
- Last two digits specify relative CPU performance.
Low-power Opteron processors have model numbers with 'HE' suffix.
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