PCSTATS     
[X]   Directory of
Guides & Reviews

Beginners Guides
Motherboards by Brand
Weekly Newsletter
Archived Newsletters

+70 MORE Beginner GUIDES....
AMD Athlon64 FX-62 and X2 5000+ Socket AM2 Processors Reviewed
AMD Athlon64 FX-62 and X2 5000+ Socket AM2 Processors Reviewed  - PCSTATS
AMD Athlon64 FX-62 and Athlon64 X2-5000+ are both dual core, support DDR-2 667/800 MHz RAM, virtualization, and install into a new 940-pin socket called 'AM2'.
Filed under: CPU / Processors Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: AMD May 24 2006   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > CPU / Processors > AMD Athlon64 FX-62 / X2 5000+

Advanced Micro Devices' latest release in its salvo of 64-bit chips is the Socket AM2 Athlon64 dual-core processor, a new 940-pin CPU whose integrated memory controller now thrives off low latency DDR-2 RAM. AMD's socket M2, err... socket AM2 processors have been one of the most hotly anticipated technology releases in recent memory, largely because of the success the 939-pin Athlon64 CPU enjoyed in the face of weak opposition from Intel's Pentium lineup. The AM2 CPU brings DDR-2 memory into the vocabulary of AMD users for the first time ever, and also marks the introduction of AMD Virtualization (think VMWare). Operating system virtualization is set to be the next best thing since sliced bread, but for the moment it is just a tick on the long list of cutting edge processor must have's. All socket AM2 processors will include the virtualization feature.

Going into this release, the big question on everyone's mind is what impact will DDR-2 RAM have on the Athlon64 architecture, and in particular its integrated memory controller? Will DDR-2 memory yield nothing more than a marginal performance gain, a gigantic boost, or simply quench a dual core Athlon64's numerical thirst for memory bandwidth? I'm sure you've been debating this question just as much as we have, but you can rest assured that with some low latency Corsair PC8500 DDR-2 installed in the test system, it's going to be a wild ride!

In this review PCSTATS will introduce you to two socket AM2 processors; the AMD Athlon64 FX-62 and Athlon64 X2-5000+. Both models are fast dual core CPUs that support DDR-2 667/800 MHz RAM, include hardware virtualization support in-chip, and install into a new 940-pin socket called 'AM2' that utilizes a distinctive four-bolt heatsink retention frame. The enthusiast grade AMD Athlon64 FX-62 clocks in at 2.8GHz, the workstation class Athlon64 X2-5000+ with a speed of 2.6GHz.

AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ socket AM2 Processor
Tech Specs

Athlon64 X2 5000+
Clock: 2.60 GHz (Dual Core)
L1: 124KB (Per Core)
L2: 512KB (Per Core)
Multipiler: 13x
Package: 940-pin
Socket: AM2
organic mPGA
Core: 90nm SOI
Vcore: 1.35V
Cost: $696 USD

AMD Athlon64 FX-62 socket AM2 Processor
Tech Specs

Athlon64 FX-62
Clock: 2.80 GHz (Dual Core)
L1: 124KB (Per Core)
L2: 1024KB (Per Core)
Multipiler: 14x
Package: 940-pin
Socket: AM2
organic mPGA
Core: 90nm SOI
Vcore: 1.35V
Cost: $1031 USD

The Athlon64 X2 5000+ is clocked a healthy 200 MHz faster than where the socket 939 Athlon64 X2 4800+ left off, but each of its cores is peppered with 128KB L1 and 512KB L2 cache. The FX-62 replaces the socket 939 FX-60 completely, and takes stage as AMD's flagship CPU with 128KB L1 and 1024KB L2 cache. All processors bearing the AMD Athlon64 name support both 32-bit and 64-bit applications, and operating systems like WindowsXP x64 Edition.

To use either of these new beauties you'll need to overhaul your computer system completely by installing a 940-pin socket AM2 motherboard (not compatible with 940-pin AMD Opteron motherboards), and low latency DDR-2 RAM. AM2 supporting chipsets are being released by SIS, VIA and nVidia at the time of this writing.

However, judging by what PCSTATS has seen first hand from the nVidia nForce 590 SLI chipset, this core logic is set to take center stage as far as AMD's socket AM2 is concerned. If not for performance reasons, the nForce 500 series will probably succeed for the sheer volume of useful technologies it introduces to desktop computers.

Recommended Reading on Topics Relating to the Socket AM2 Athlon64 processor and 64-bit Computing:

· Dual OS Installation of WindowsXP 32-bit/64-bit
· Athlon64 and AMD's 64-bit technology
· Intel's 64-bit Technology
· Athlon64 - 64-bit vs. 32-bit Head On Comparison
· Overclocking and WindowsXP x64 Edition

Other component upgrades may also be necessary, seeing as the socket AM2 heatsink retention frame has also evolved significant from the two-post socket 939 retention frame so many high end copper K8 heatsinks were built for. As of this writing, the Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 is the first heatsink to hit the market. The new AM2 retention frame will be compatible with only one type of existing K8 heatsink, but we'll get into this a little later.

AMD's Athlon64 X2 5000+ and Athlon64 FX-62 are available as of this moment and have a retail price of $1147 CDN ($1031 US, £547 GBP) and $773 CDN ($696 US, £396 GBP) respectively. The full AMD socket AM2 processor lineup officially launches today, and will include a bevy of Athlon64 and Sempron models as well.

© 2023 PCSTATS.com Next Page >

 

Contents of Article: AMD Athlon64 FX-62 / X2 5000+
 Pg 1.  — AMD Athlon64 FX-62 and X2 5000+ Socket AM2 Processors Reviewed
 Pg 2.  Complete Socket AM2 CPU Family
 Pg 3.  Behind the Heatspreader - Common AM2 CPU Features
 Pg 4.  AMD Virtulization Technology
 Pg 5.  Performance-Per-Watt Metrics
 Pg 6.  Socket AM2 System Power Draw
 Pg 7.  Hello DDR-2, the AM2's Memory of Choice
 Pg 8.  VIA / SIS Chipsets for Socket AM2
 Pg 9.  nVIDIA, the AMD chipset market leader
 Pg 10.  Socket AM2 Heatsinks and Retention Frame
 Pg 11.  Overclocking the Athlon64 X2 5000+ and FX-62!
 Pg 12.  Flagship AMD Athlon64 FX-62 Overclocking
 Pg 13.  Prelude to Benchmarks - Test System Configuration
 Pg 14.  Pure 32-bit Benchmarks: SYSMark 2004
 Pg 15.  Pure 32 bit Benchmarks: Office Productivity, SiSoft Sandra 2005
 Pg 16.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: Maya Render Test, Super Pi
 Pg 17.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: PCMark05
 Pg 18.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: 3DMark05
 Pg 19.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: 3DMark06
 Pg 20.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: Doom 3
 Pg 21.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: Quake 4
 Pg 22.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: FarCry
 Pg 23.  Pure 32-Bit Benchmarks: FEAR
 Pg 24.  64 Bit Benchmarks: ScienceMark 2.
 Pg 25.  64 Bit Benchmarks: Mini-GZip, DiVX Encoding
 Pg 26.  Multi-Threaded Benchmarks: 3DMark05
 Pg 27.  Multi-Threaded Benchmarks: Doom 3
 Pg 28.  Multi-Threaded Benchmarks: FEAR
 Pg 29.  Welcome to the family Socket AM2!

 
Hardware Sections 


 
PCSTATS Network Features Information About Us Contact
FrostyTech
PCSTATS Newsletter
Tech Glossary
Technology WebSite Listings
News Archives
(Review RSS Feed)
Site Map
PCstats Wallpaper
About Us
Privacy Policy
Advertise on PCSTATS

How's Our Driving?
© Copyright 1999-2023 www.pcstats.com All rights reserved. Privacy policy and Terms of Use.