AMD's Shot At Intel

Originally slated for June 1 release, AMD opted to deliver its AM2 processor line a week before Memorial Day. The series includes the Athlon 64 FX (FX-62), Athlon 64 X2 (5000+, 4800+, 4600+, 4400+, 4200+, 4000+ and 3800+), Athlon 64 (3800+, 3500+) and Sempron processors (3600+, 3500+, 3400+, 3200+ and 3000+).

The offerings have one main thing in common: support for the new AM2 socket, a 940-pin organic micro PGA socket. The AM2 socket solves some key issues for system builders.

For one, a keyed ZIFF socket ensures that only the correct AM2 processor can be installed on a motherboard. Also, a redesigned four-bolt heat-sink tray offers better stability for the CPU. The new AM2-based CPUs support DDR2 RAM (up to 667MHz for all chips and up to 800MHz for the X2 and FX) lines, and in an interesting twist, AMD is offering a reduced-power-consumption option on the processor line for a small premium.

The standard AM2 processors cut power consumption to 89 watts (down from 110 watts) for dual-core CPUs, while single-core CPUs draw 62 watts. The energy-efficient models offer the same level of performance but reduce power consumption to 65 watts for the Athlon 64 X2 and 35 watts for the rest of the energy-efficient line.

The Test Center was able to put together a test system using an Athlon 64 X2 5000+ processor, ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard, 1 Gbyte of 800MHz DDR2 RAM and an EVGA Nvidia GeoForce 7800 GT video card. CPU performance tests using Passmark were inconclusive due to an incompatibility with the Passmark Test Suite, but our initial impression was positive. Other tests using 3DMARK06 yielded a CPU rating score of 1940; for comparison, a similarly configured system using an Intel Pentium D 960 processor was tested and scored 1814.

While those tests aren’t comprehensive, one thing seems clear: The Athlon 64 X2 5000+ offers an impressive increase in speed at a price somewhat lower than Intel’s Pentium D 960 ($696 vs. $770). Hopefully, AMD’s AM2 series will re-ignite the CPU speed wars.

Either way, expect Intel to shoot back quickly with even faster products. The big unknown is whether the delays for Vista will slow what could otherwise be an explosive market.

How does the AMD AM2 processor line measure up? Let me know at (516) 562-7455 or via e-mail at [email protected].