AM2 - Moving the Athlon 64 Forward

Firstly the AM2 is not strictly a new processor, its a new processor platform. The current CPU's to use the AM2 platform will be a new set of Athlon 64 CPU's these are to include the standard Athlon 64, the Athlon 64 X2 and the budget Sempron CPU based on the Athlon 64 core. AM2 brings with it the support for DDR2 memory which the previous generation of Athlon 64 CPUs did not support. DDR2 thanks to its improved design can achieve higher clock frequencies than that of the previous DDR standard. The AM2 platform brings support for this new technology allowing motherboard manufacturers to take full advantage to provide a platform for a DDR2 system.

The processors based on the AM2 platform will have 940 pins just like the early Athlon 64s and Opteron CPUs. However due to the incompatibility between original 940 pin and the AM2 CPUs, AMD have decided to change the layout of the pins to stop accidentally seating an incompatible CPU into your motherboard. Because both types of CPU require 940 pins, it could of been possible to make them compatible, but airing on the safe side and rightly so, AMD have a whole new platform making sure everything is designed to work well together.

To the left we have the underside view of an AM2 processor. To the right we have the older 940 Pin socket. At first glance it looks as though the CPU will sit nicely into the socket. However AMD have made a couple of subtle changes to the pin out. The top two landing areas (with pins missing) will fit perfectly onto the old socket, however the bottom two have been moved ever so slightly to ensure that only the compatible CPUs will seat correctly inside the socket.

AM2 Product Range

AMD will release the AM2 processors in the Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 and Sempron CPU's. AMD is making there product range all fit the same socket making life a lot easier to purchase a motherboard for the average user. Be sure to always check the compatibility before purchasing a motherboard.

The Bottom Line

The AM2 from AMD will bring together the range of Athlon 64 CPUs into a single socket type, making life easier for manufacturers and end users alike. The technology it brings is an upgrade to the DDR2 memory. Testing shows that the increased memory speed of the DDR2 doesn't bring that much of an increase in performance until you start to use the top DDR2 which is DDR2-800, so we recommend using DDR2-800 when building a AM2 based system. DDR2 will soon be as cheap as original DDR RAM as the demand gets higher and manufacturers make a lot more of this type. Then Price also makes a factor in deciding to buy DDR2.

Downsides are of course as a new platform is introduced then upgrading becomes more expensive. When upgrading to the AM2 platform, you will need obviously a new CPU and motherboard, but you will also need to upgrade to DDR2 memory, and since AMD has changed to cage around the socket you will need a new or modified cooling solution as well.