Info from
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Improved Performance for Cutting Edge Applications
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The Most Powerful Multimedia Experience in an x86
Platform
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Powering the Next Generation in Computing Platforms
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The Power of a Reliable Partner
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Available at 1.1GHz (1100MHz), 1000MHz, 950MHz,
900, 850, 800, 750, 700 MHz and now 1.1Ghz + (to 1.4 GHz)
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Chip manufactured with 0.18 micron aluminium or
copper compound technology
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Thunderbird core based on Athlon architecture with
37 million transistors and 120sq.mm size
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Works in special mainboards equipped with 462pin
Socket A
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128KB L1 cache (64KB for instructions and 64KB for
data)
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256KB integrated on-die L2 cache working at the
full core frequency
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3DNow! SIMD-instructions set
The Athlon has now been surpassed by the release of the
Athlon Thunderbird. The Thunderbird takes the reigns as the fastest
processor on the market with the exception of the P4 (which requires the
latest technologies to be of any use) and still cheaper than the PIII.
However the motherboards and cases required have not followed suite and
cost a lot more still. Good option for anyone wanting power.
AMD Seem to struggling with the thunderbird to go
beyond the 1.4Ghz mark. While Intel Power on to the 2Ghz point with
the P4. Let it be known though that the Athlon makes far better use of
its processing power and is better at equal Mhz to that of the Intel
chips. In some cases faster Intel chips work slower than that of the
lesser Thunderbird counterparts.
The Thunderbird has less cache than the original
Athlon but it runs at full clock frequency. Overall I think that is a
good decision as the 512K on the original was a little excessive
consider it ran at anything as low as 1/3 of the CPU clock speed.
We will probably see a new core soon for the Athlon
just like the Duron has with its Morgan core. Otherwise they will be
left at the 1.4Ghz for a long time. There is a rumour and I stress the
word rumour here, that AMD are going to use the same system Cyrix used
with their CPU's. That is the use of the PR. PR is Performance Rating.
Instead of quoting what the actual clock speed of the CPU is when
selling them, they could soon be selling them as rated speeds rated
against a certain Intel CPU. It seems this feature will be brought in
with the release of the Athlon XP.
Read More about the
New Athlon XP Here
Technical Features
AMD have reached the 1Ghz
with its budget chip - the Duron. To do this the older spitfire core
was axed in favour of a new, slightly larger core they call the Morgan
core. Features in the the core have made the transistor count rise
from 25Million to 25.18 Million.