AMD Processors
AMD's Q1 2004 processor entrants are easy to summarise.Athlon FX-53
FX-53 will be launched simulataneously on Socket 940 and Socket 939 in March (29th), the last FX for Socket 940 before it becomes an Opteron-only socket and the first FX for Socket 939, marking it out as an 'Extreme Edition' of sorts.Running at 2.4GHz with 1MB L2 cache memory and housing a dual channel DDR memory controller, the FX-53 will be the Q1 performance powerhouse in the x86 world.
It'll share the new CG core stepping with all the other new Q1 processors, giving it support for 2T command rate in the DDR DRAMs it'll support. It'll be the only 1MB L2 processor on Socket 939 in Q1.
Athlon 64 3400+ (3500+)
While Model 3400+ has already been launched, two new versions will arrive in Q1 in March. The first, for Socket 939, will be 2.2GHz with 512KB of L2 cache memory, but will feature dual channel DDR support on the CPU and not require the use of registered DRAMs.Socket 754, confusingly, will get a second Model 3400+ at 2.4GHz with 512KB L2 and a single memory controller, to go along with the 2.2GHz, 1MB L2 version currently released.
Note
The Socket 939 version of Model 3400+ has just been renamed 3500+
Athlon 64 3700+ (3800+)
Again, two versions, one for Socket 939 and the other for Socket 754, both released on March 29th.The Socket 939 version will be 2.4GHz with 512KB L2, like the 2nd Model 3400+ for Socket 754, but will feature two memory controllers.
The socket 754 version is 2.4GHz and 1MB L2 with a single memory controller and marks the end of CPU support for that socket, according to current roadmaps. While I expect AMD to release a Model 4000+ at some point in 2004, for Socket 754, that currently is where that socket stops.
Note
The Socket 939 version of Model 3400+ has just been renamed 3500+
The platform as a whole
The platform as a whole will see the introduction of Socket 939 and chipsets from NVIDIA, SiS and VIA (notably K8T800 Pro), along with the new processors, in Q1. It'll be Q3'ish before AMD64 gets PCI Express support, I'll leave that for a later article. Here's the processor lineup in table form.| Model | Frequency | L2 Size | Memory Controllers | Socket |
| Existing 3400+ | 2.2GHz | 1MB | 1 | 754 |
| 3400+ | 2.4GHz | 512KB | 1 | 754 |
| 3500+ | 2.2GHz | 512KB | 2 | 939 |
| 3700+ | 2.4GHz | 1MB | 1 | 754 |
| 3800+ | 2.4GHz | 512KB | 2 | 939 |
| FX-53 | 2.4GHz | 1MB | 2 | 939/940 |
Summary
This is where it gets a bit weird. The Clawhammer to Newcastle core transition on the Socket 754 Model 3400+s means you need to watch out what you're buying if you're interested in cache level or frequency level performance. If you don't care and just want a CPU in between Model 3200+ and Model 3700+, things are OK. It's the same situation we have with Model 3000+ and Model 3200+ just now, cache level performance determines overall performance, but with CPUs on the same socket sharing a model designation, things get extra hairy.The apparent death of Socket 754 after the Model 3700+ release also gives everyone cause for concern. AMD's roadmaps indicate availability of chips well into 2005, but unless new CPUs past Model 3700+ are released, where's the faith in buying for that socket type? The reluctance for many to invest in Socket 754 until they see what Socket 939 will have to offer, is understandable.
Timing with Intel's April product releases means that many enthusiasts might hold off until well into April before making a buying decision, especially if their wallets aren't set on Athlon 64 just yet.
AMD's own literature on Q1 forecasts is heavily dependant on what Intel does with Prescott, but leans towards it being in AMD's favour, allowing them to relax introduction of CPUs we might have seen at the end of 2003. But is it really? It seems 50/50, depending on what your buying plans are.
Athlon XP
It doesn't look like Socket A Athlon XP gets much of an update in 2004 at all, never mind in Q1. No new CPUs and a transition to calling Socket 754 'Paris' processors Athlon XP later in the year means that Socket A feels neglected. VIA have chipset updates for the current CPUs, but that's about it. I'd imagine at least one new Socket A processor will be released in 2004, despite what roadmaps say just now, but in Q1? Nada.What's interesting to note is that AMD don't expect 166MHz or 200MHz front side bus Athlon XPs on Socket A to outsell 133MHz Athlon XPs, worldwide, until the very end of this year. Shows you just how much of an effect the enthusiast, who should always be buying 166/200 chips, has on global sales.
