Hardware Guide Part I (Processors)

Processor Sockets

Current Desktop Processor Sockets
Manufacturer	Socket	Introduction	Description	XPCs
Intel	423	Nov 2000	The first socket design for Pentium 4 and did not have a long life.	-
	478	July 2001	Socket 478 accommodates high- and low-end processors, including Pentium 4, Pentium 4 Extreme Edition and Celeron/Celeron-D with several core designs (Willamette, Northwood and Prescott) and FSB speeds (400, 533, 800 FSB). No more processors are being developed for it, and processor production for this socket is gradually declining during 2005.	SB51G SB52G2 SB61G2 SB62G2 SB65G2 SB75G2 SS50 SS51G SS56G/L ST61G4 ST62K
	775	June 2004	Socket 775 is also called Socket T or LGA 775 and is Intel's latest CPU socket for desktop processors. LGA stands for Land Grid Array, which means that the pins are on the motherboard, not the processor. This socket offers a maximum Front side bus of 1066 MHz. One thing to mention though is that LGA 775 processors are actually cheaper than equivalents for Socket 478.	SB77G5 SB81P SB83G5/M SB86i SB87G5 SB95P SS58G2/SE SS59G
	479	March 2003	Socket 479 is used for Intel's Pentium M and Celeron M (Mobile) processors, which were originally designed for use in laptop PCs. Unlike Socket 478, the Socket 479 is latched with a screwdriver instead of a usual lever. Once the CPU is sitting flush in the socket, use a flat-head screwdriver to lock the chip in place by turning clockwise.	SD11G5 M1000
AMD	A (462)	June 2000	Socket A (also known as Socket 462) is used for AMD Athlon (Thunderbird) and Athlon XP (Palomino, Thoroughbred, Barton) processors and AMD budget processors including the Duron and Sempron (Thoroughbred). Processors for Socket A are about to disappear from the market during the second half of 2005.	SK41G SK43G SN41G2 SN45G SS40G
	754	Sept 2003	Socket 754 is designed for the average user who doesn't care about every ounce of performance, since it does not support Dual Channel and only has 800MHz Hyper Transport bus. Still not a bad solution as it competes very well with other plattforms and is cheap. Finally, AMD shifts the socket 754 into the value segment with a series of new Sempron models.	SK83G SN85G4 SK21G
	939	June 2004	Socket 939 features Dual Channel and 1000MHz Hyper Transport and supports latest 90nm AMD processors (fast and cool). It is a good plattform for highend gaming with an excellent price/performance ratio.	SN21G5 SN25P SN26P SN95G5 ST20G5
	AM2 (940)	May 2006	Socket AM2 supports the new Rev F processors, which use the same naming scheme as their predecessors. Athlon Processors with socket AM2 feature a dual channel DDR2-800 memory controller with a theoretical peak bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s, that's twice the bandwidth of Socket 939 Rev E CPUs with 128-bit DDR-400 controller.	SN27P2

Processor Overview

Intel Pentium 4

Intel Pentium 4 - Mainstream Desktop Processors
CPU core	Type	Socket	Cache	FSB	Model / Frequency	Features
Willamette 180nm	Celeron Pentium 4	478 423, 478	128 kB 256 kB	400 MHz 400 MHz	1.7-2.0 GHz 1.3-2.0 GHz	SSE 1 SSE 1
Northwood 130nm	Celeron Pentium 4	478 478	128 kB 512 kB	400 MHz 800/533/400 MHz	1.8-2.8 GHz 1.6-3.4 GHz	SSE 1-2 SSE 1-2
Prescott 90nm	Celeron-D Pentium 4 Pentium 4	478 478 478	256 kB 1 MB 1 MB	533 MHz 533 MHz 800 MHz	315-350 / 2.26-3.2 GHz 2.8 GHz 2.8-3.4 GHz	SSE 1-3 SSE 1-3 SSE 1-3, HT
Prescott 90nm	Celeron D Celeron D Pentium 4 Pentium 4 Pentium 4 Pentium 4 Pentium 4	775 775 775 775 775 775 775	256 kB (3xx) 256 kB (3xx) 1 MB (5xx) 1 MB (5x0) 1 MB (5x1) 2 MB (6xx) 2 MB (6x2)	533 MHz 533 MHz 533 MHz 800 MHz 800 MHz 800 MHz 800 MHz	325-345(J) / 2.53-3.06 GHz 326-355 / 2.53-3.33 GHz 506+511 / 2.66+2.80 GHz 520-570(J) / 2.8-3.8 GHz 531-571 / 3.0-3.8 GHz 630-670 / 3.0-3.8 GHz 662-672 / 3.6-3.8 GHz	SSE 1-3 (XD) SSE 1-3, XD, EM64T SSE 1-3, HT, XD, EM64T SSE 1-3, HT (XD) SSE 1-3, HT, XD, EM64T SSE 1-3, HT, XD, EM64T SSE 1-3, HT, XD, EM64T, VT
Smithfield 90nm	Pentium D	775	2x 1MB (8xx)	533 MHz 800 MHz	805 / 2,66 GHz 820-840 / 2,8-3,2 GHz	SSE 1-3, XD, EM64T, Dual Core
Cedar Mill 65 nm	Celeron D Pentium 4	775	512 kB (3xx) 1 MB (6x1)	533 MHz 800 MHz	352-356 / 3.2-3.33 GHz 631-661 / 3.0-3.6 GHz	SSE 1-3, XD, EM64T SSE 1-3, XD, EM64T
Presler 65nm	Pentium D	775	2x 2MB (9xx)	800 MHz	920-950 / 2.8-3.4 GHz	SSE 1-3, XD, EM64T, VT Dual Core

Intel Pentium M (Mobile)

Intel Pentium M and Celeron M - Socket 479 (Mobile prozessors)
CPU core	Name	FSB	Cache	Number	Clock	TDP
Banias 130nm	Celeron M	400 MHz	512 kB	310~340	1.2~1.5 GHz	24.5 W
	Pentium M ULV	400 MHz	1 MB	713	1.1 GHz	7 W
	Pentium M LV	400 MHz	1 MB	718	1.3 GHz	12 W
	Pentium M	400 MHz	1 MB		1.2~1.7 GHz	24.5 W
Dothan 90nm	Celeron M	400 MHz	1 MB	340~370	1.3~1.5 GHz	21 W
	Celeron M ULV	400 MHz	512 kB	373	1 GHz	5 W
	Pentium M ULV	400 MHz	2 MB	723~753	1.0~1.2 GHz	5 W
	Pentium M LV	400 MHz	2 MB	738~758	1.4~1.5 GHz	10 W
	Pentium M	400 MHz	2 MB	715~765	1.5~2.1 GHz	21 W
	Pentium M	533 MHz	2 MB	730~770	1.6~2.13 GHz	27 W

AMD

AMD Socket A (Socket 462) - Mainstream Desktop Processors
Type	Core	Process	FSB	Cache	Model / Frequency	Features
Duron	Spitfire Morgan Applebred	180 nm 180 nm 130 nm	266 MHz 200 MHz 200 MHz	64kB 64kB 64kB	600-950 MHz 900-1300 MHz 1400-1800 MHz	MMX, 3DNow! MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!
Sempron	Thoroughbred "B" Barton	130 nm 130 nm	333 MHz 333 MHz	256 kB 512 kB	2200+ - 3000+ / 1.5 - 2.0 GHz 3000+ / 2.0 GHz	MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE
Athlon "B" Athlon "C"	Thunderbird Thunderbird	180 nm 180 nm	200 MHz 266 MHz	256kB 256kB	650-1400 MHz 1000-1400 MHz	MMX, 3DNow! MMX, 3DNow!
Athlon XP	Palomino Thoroughbred "A" Thoroughbred "B" Thoroughbred "B" Thorton Thorton Barton Barton	180 nm 130 nm 130 nm 130 nm 130 nm 130 nm 130 nm 130 nm	266 MHz 266 MHz 266 MHz 333 MHz 266 MHz 333 MHz 333 MHz 400 MHz	256 kB 256 kB 256 kB 256 kB 256 kB 256 kB 512 kB 512 kB	1500+ - 2100+ / 1.33 - 1.73 GHz 1700+ - 2100+ / 1.467 - 2.133 GHz 1600+ - 2600+ / 1.4 - 2.133 GHz 2600+ - 2800+ / 2.083 - 2.25 GHz 2000+ - 2400+ / 1.667 - 2.0 GHz 2600+ / 2.08 GHz 2500+ - 3000+ / 1.833 - 2.167 GHz 3000+ - 3200+ / 2.1 - 2.2 GHz	MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE MMX, 3DNow!, SSE

AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron Processors (K8 architecture, Socket 754/939)
Socket	Memory	HT	Name	Core (Process)	Model / Frequency	Cache
754	Single Channel DDR400	800 MHz 1600 MT/s Hyper- Transport	Sempron	Paris (130nm)	3000+ / 1.8 GHz 3100+ / 1.8 GHz	128kB 256kB
			Sempron	Palermo (90nm)	2600+ - 3300+ / 1.6 - 2.0 GHz 2500+ - 3100+ / 1.4 - 1.8 GHz	128kB 256kB
			Sempron	with 64bit extension	2600+ - 3300+
			Athlon 64	Newcastle (130nm)	2800+ - 3400+ / 1.8 - 2.4 GHz	512kB
			Athlon 64	Clawhammer (130nm)	2800+ - 3000+ / 1.8 - 2.0 GHz 3200+ - 3700+ / 2.0 - 2.4 GHz	512kB 1MB
939	Dual Channel DDR400	1000 MHz 2000 MT/s Hyper- Transport	Sempron	Palermo (90nm)	3000+ - 3200+	128kB 256kB
			Athlon 64	Newcastle (130nm)	3500+ - 3800+ / 2.2 - 2.4 GHz	512kB
			Athlon 64 Athlon 64 FX	Clawhammer (130nm)	4000+ / 2.4 GHz FX53 - FX55 / 2.4 - 2.6 GHz	1MB 1MB
			Athlon 64	Winchester (90nm)	3000+ - 3500+ / 1.8 - 2.2 GHz	512kB
			Athlon 64	Venice (90nm)	3000+ - 3800+ / 1.8 - 2.4 GHz 3700+ / 2.2 GHz	512kB 1MB
			Athlon 64 Athlon 64 FX	San Diego (90nm)	3700+ - 4000+ / 2.2 - 2.4 GHz FX55 / 2.6 GHz	1MB 1MB
			Athlon 64 X2	Manchester (90nm) Toledo (90nm)	4200+ - 4600+ / 2.2 - 2.4 GHz 4400+ - 4800+ / 2.2 - 2.4 GHz	512kB 1MB

Instruction set: All Athlon 64 and Duron support MMX, 3DNow!, SSE1, SSE2 and NX - but the Paris core do not support NX. All Athlon 64 support AMD64 extensions. 90nm processors with E3-stepping support SSE3 instructions set. Sempron supports Cool'n'quite since 3000+
Introduction date: Oct '04: Athlon 64 Winchester, April '05: Sempron, June '05: Athlon 64 X2 (Dual Core)

AMD Desktop Processor Quick Reference
Processor	Architecture	Socket	64-bit?	Target markets
Athlon 64 FX	8th Generation	939	Yes	Enthusiast, Extreme Gamer
Athlon 64 X2	8th Generation	939	Yes	Digital Content Creation, Power User
Athlon 64	8th Generation	939	Yes	Performance, Mainstream
Athlon 64	8th Generation	754	Yes	Performance, Mainstream
Sempron	8th Generation	754	since July 05	Value
Sempron	7th Generation	A (462)	No	Budget-Conscious
Athlon XP	7th Generation	A (462)	No	Mainstream

Processor features

Extended Instruction Set
The x86 architecture was invented in 1978, it has been extended several times since then, to add new features used by new classes of application: MMX (1996), 3DNow! (1997), SSE (1999), SSE2 (2001). The SSE3 instruction set is supported by Intels Pentium 4 Prescott core (2004) and AMDs Athlon 64 Venice/San Diego cores (2005).

Semiconductor manufacturing process (180, 130, 90 nm, ...)
It was Intel's founder, Gordon Moore, who, in 1965, claimed that the number of transistors on a chip would roughly double every two years. The transistors become smaller over the years and new features, techniques and structures could be integrated on a chip. The size and spacing of the processor's transistors (silicon etchings) is measured in nanometers, which is one-billionth of a meter. Die shrinks enables not only cost reduction, it has also been proclaimed as the way to lower power and higher speed for a number of years. On the other hand, with every die shrink, the ratio between leakage and operating currents has gone in the wrong direction at an alarming rate. Nevertheless, AMD managed to reduce the power consumption of their Athlon 64 processors: the 90nm Winchester core (since October 2004) consumes less power than its 130nm counterparts (67W versus 89W). A shrink in the manufacturing process will happen every 2-3 years, this is probably also true for the future: 350nm (1994), 250nm (1996), 180nm (1998), 130nm (2000), 90nm (2003), 65nm (2005), 45nm (2007), 32nm (2009), 22nm (2011).

Bit definition - AMD64 and EM64T
Everything in the digital world is measured in bits and bytes (8 bits equals 1 byte). Processors are divided by the size of their internal registers. This is the computer's "word" size, which is the amount of data the CPU can compute at the same time. When Intel introduces the world's first single-chip microprocessor in 1971, it supports 4 bit data words. Following processors support 8 bit (1972), 16 bit (1978), 32 bit (1985), and 64 bit (2003). Intel had originally decided to completely drop x86 compatibility with the 64-bit generation but due to the success of the AMD64 line of processors Intel introduced a similar technology, called EM64T. The 64-bit operating system "Windows XP Professional x64 Edition" has been released in April 2005.

Integrated DDR memory controller (AMD)
Allows for a reduction in memory latency, thereby increasing overall system performance. Depending on socket design it support single (socket 754) or dual channel (socket 939) memory access.

Front-side bus (system bus)
Originally, this bus was a central connecting point for all system devices and the CPU. However, in recent years FSB means the connection between the CPU and the northbridge of the mainboard chipset. In general, a faster front side bus means higher processing speeds and a faster computer for a number of reasons. All Pentium 4 systems use a Quadruple Data Rate (QDR) bus, which transfers four units of data in each cycle - the same principle as AGP 4X. For example: when the processor uses a 200MHz reference clock, the effective clock rate is 800MHz. Read more

HyperTransport (AMD)
Is a point-to-point bus used by AMD for their Athlon64, AthlonFX, and Opteron lines of CPUs. From the technical side, it is not a front side bus. The HyperTransport bus is used to connect parts of the system together. This is listed because it is the only bus that allows communication between the processor and the rest of the system, which was traditionally one of the functions of the frontside bus. On AMD-64 CPUs, the frontside bus, which connected the CPU to the northbridge, has been removed in favor of an on-die memory controller. HyperTransport Technology to I/O Devices: One 16-bit link supporting speeds up to 1 GHz (2000 MT/s = Mega-Transfers per second) or 4 Gigabytes/s in each direction.

Hyper Threading (Intel)
Starting with Pentium 4 3.06GHz in 2002 Intel introduced Hyper Threading technology to process two threads at a time. In certain ideal situations, it leaves the system much more responsive to user input by allowing background tasks to run on the second logical unit. Read more

Non-execute (NX), Execute Disable Bit (XD)
This functionality can prevent certain classes of malicious "buffer overflow" attacks when combined with a supporting operating system. It allows the processor to classify areas in memory by where application code can execute and where it cannot. When a malicious worm attempts to insert code in the buffer, the processor disables code execution, preventing damage or worm propagation. Depending on manufacturer, this feature has different names and must be supported by CPU and operating system:

Maker	Name	supported by
AMD	NX-Bit (non-execute) EVP (Enhanced Virus Protection)	all Sempron / Athlon 64/FX/X2 processors for Socket 754 and 939 except the first Sempron with Paris core
Intel	XD-Bit, EDB (Execute Disable Bit)	Intel Pentium 4 5xxJ / 6xx / 8xx Celeron-D 3xxJ
Microsoft	EDB (Execute Disable Bit)	Windows XP with SP 2 Windows Server 2003 SP 1 Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition
Linux	DEP (Data Execution Prevention)	Linux 2.6.8 and higher SUSE Linux 9.2 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Upd. 3

Intel Extreme Edition (EE) and AMD Athlon 64 FX
These are the flagship desktop processors of Intel and AMD which is targeted primarily at gamers.
Intel: the first Extreme Edition processor was based on a modified 130nm Gallatin-core (from Xeon MP) with 2MB Level 3 cache for Socket 478 at 3.2GHz/800FSB speed. Then Intel upgrade step by step: Socket 775 (3.4 GHz), 1066MHz FSB (3.46 GHz), Prescott core with 2MB L2 cache (3.73 GHz), and in April 2005: Pentium 4 EE 840 (dual core, 3.2GHz, 2x 1MB L2-Cache), which is a Pentium D 840 plus Hyper-Threading support. Extreme Edition Processors are supported by Shuttle XPCs SB75G2, SB77G5, SB95P (at 800MHz FSB) and SB95PV2 (at up to 1066MHz FSB, single core).
AMD: The first Athlon 64 FX-51/53 with Socket 940 requires expensive registered ram and phased out after a short period of time. The current Athlon 64 FX-51/53/55 models were designed for Socket 939 based on the 130nm Clawhammer core. Athlon 64 FX is supported by all XPC with Socket 939.

Intel Pentium - Extreme Edition (EE)
Model	Socket	FSB	Core Frequency	Core	Cache size	Features	positioned (XPC)
Pentium EE 840	775	1066 MHz	3.2 GHz	Dual Core 90nm	2x 1MB (L2)	+ Dual Core	i945/955X-chipset (SD??)
Pentium 4 EE			3.73 GHz	Prescott 90nm	2 MB (L2)	+ SSE3, NX, EM64T	i925XE-chipset (SB95PV2)
			3.46 GHz	Gallatin/Northwood-2M 130nm	512kB (L2) 2 MB (L3)	MMX, HT, SSE 1-2
		800 MHz	3.4 GHz				i925X/i875P-chipset (SB95P, SB77G5)
	478		3.4 GHz				i875P-chipset (SB75G2)
			3.2 GHz

Dual Core - Intel Pentium D and AMD Athlon 64 X2
Due to thermal dissipation issues, processors can no longer be given substantial clock speed improvements. This has led to many months of performance stagnation. Finally, Intel and AMD have come up with the latest concept in increasing performance levels, by integrating two processor cores into one chip. The real benefit of multicore processing is that it allows you to run multiple processor-intensive tasks at the same time - each core taking care of different applications. You could, for instance, run a game and a PVR program at the same time and experience minimal performance degradation. Running those programs on a single-core processor will likely result in choppy frame rates or poor video recordings. But it is better on single-core processors at elevated frequencies when you only run a single non-thread-level optimized application (like current games). The x86 dual-core era began in April 2005 with the official introduction of Intels Flagship Pentium Extreme Edition 840 and AMDs Dual-core Opteron for server platforms. The more affordable Intel Pentium D and AMD Athlon 64 X2 models have followed two month later.

AMD's Cool’n’Quiet and Intel's EIST Technology
AMD's Cool'n'Quiet can be found on all Socket 754 and Socket 939 Athlon 64 processors. Intel's Enhanced SpeedStep technology (EIST) ist supported by Pentium 4 600-series and later. Enabling this technology, the processor will lower its operating frequencies when idle, to help conserve power and create less heat.

CPU Stepping
Throughout the life of a processor life cycle, the processor may go through several steppings or versions. Newer steppings typically have some type of improvement over previous steppings of the processor. Steppings can be identified by the CPUID String, which is a four character string. The first character is typically a 0 and the second and third characters represent the family and model number. The fourth character represents the processor stepping.

Thermal Design Power (TDP)
The maximum amount of heat which a thermal solution must be able to dissipate from the processor so that the processor will operate under normal operating conditions.

Boxed retail and OEM tray Processor
An boxed processor is sometimes referred to as a retail box. Boxed means the processors comes in a box, and not OEM which is usally a little bag. The boxed retail processor comes including fan and extended warranty from the manufacturer. An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) processor, sometimes referred as a tray processor, is a processor that is sold to an OEM manufacturer or distributor intended for installation. The warranty varies in length and is provided by the place of purchase.

Related Links:

• AMD Desktop Processor Quick Reference Guide
• List of Intel processors (Wikipedia)
• Intel Museum: History of the Microprocessor
• Tom's Hardware Guide - CPU charts

Date: July 2005. All information is subject to change without notice.