AMD Athlon 64 microprocessor

AMD Athlon 64 is a 64-bit microprocessor based on K8 architecture and designed for desktop computers. These microprocessors include all basic features of K8 micro-architecture, such as split 128 KB level 1 cache, exclusive 512 KB or 1 MB level 2 cache, AMD64 technology, Enhanced Virus Protection, and support for SSE2 instructions. SSE3 instruction set was added to all Athlon 64 processors with core revision E3 or later. To interface with memory and peripheral devices all Athlon 64 CPUs use integrated memory controller and one HyperTransport link instead of Front-Side Bus. Performance of the integrated memory controller and the HyperTransport link was gradually improved with introduction of new package and socket types:

• 754-pin package / Socket 754 processors - these processors include single-channel DDR SDRAM memory controller and one 800 MHz HyperTransport link.
• 939-pin package / Socket 939 - memory controller was upgraded to dual-channel controller, which provides twice as much memory bandwidth as compared to socket 754 - up to 6.4 GB/s depending on memory type. The frequency of HyperTransport link was increased to 1000 MHz.
• 940-pin package / Socket AM2 - this socket added support for DDR2 SDRAM memory, which effectively doubles memory bandwidth up to 12.8 GB/sec. Please note that 940-pin processors for socket AM2 are not compatible with older socket 940, even though both sockets have the same number of pin holes.

The Athlon 64 processors were manufactured using 0.13 micron, 0.09 micron and 0.065 micron technology.