A visual look
Let's take a visual look first.Winchester 3000+
![](http://img.hexus.net/v2/overclocking/AMD3000W/BoxS.jpg)
Our sample was an off-the-shelf, untested retail package. A sealed box guaranteed that it wasn't hand-picked for review purposes.
![](http://img.hexus.net/v2/overclocking/AMD3000W/PackageS.jpg)
A retail package includes the processor, obviously, an AMD-approved heatsink that's an absolute doddle to attach, and a set of warranty papers. The heatsink clips in one side of a motherboard's retention bracket and is secured on the other by a lever. Nothing could be simpler. AMD includes a TIM, which is needed to make the best contact with the CPU's heatspreader. The fan is also pretty quiet in use.
![](http://img.hexus.net/v2/overclocking/AMD3000W/CPUS.jpg)
The codes etched into the heatspreader aren't as important as they once were. We can tell it's an Athlon 64 3000+ week 41 CPU, and that' about it.
![](http://img.hexus.net/v2/overclocking/AMD3000W/BackS.jpg)
Socket-939 in all its pin glory. The same pin count covers the 3000+ through to FX-55. You pay extra for a faster core speed and greater levels of L2 cache.
![](http://img.hexus.net/v2/overclocking/AMD3000W/CPU1.png)
The latest iteration of CPU-Z correctly identifies the CPU as a 90nm Winchester. The test EPoX 9NDA3+ S939 motherboard slightly inflates the driven clock speed. Some motherboards may need BIOS updates to fully support 90nm CPUs. Downclocking an Athlon 64 3800+ to 3000+ levels and running both CPUs at their default voltages showed a load temperature difference of around 5c in favour of this 90nm CPU. I bet Intel would love the same kind of results with its 90nm Prescott core.