No more socket M2

[scorchio]

AMD Is preparing for a shift towards DDR-II memory, while still keeping the production of Socket 939 processors "according to demand". A new Socket has 940 pins, but it isn't compatible with existing Socket 940 solutions.

However, the name of the new socket won't be Socket 940 Socket M2, which resided in every roadmap of AMD CPUs for next year. New name is Socket AM2, and we have learned that AMD will introduce not just new models, but will release Socket AM2 versions of existing CPUs as well. We have seen a roadmap which contains products that are part of the AM2 ramp-up.

The new Socket AM2 is being occupied by three cores: Manilla, Orelans and Windsor. Manilla is the codename for new Sempr0ns, Orleans is the name for single-core AM2 offerings, while cream of the crop, dual-cores will come under the Windsor name.

Following products should be launched in second quarter of next year, alongside Socket AM2:

Windsor

AMD Athlon 64 FX-62

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+

Orleans

AMD Athlon 64 4000+

AMD Athlon 64 3800+

AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Manilla

Sempr0n 3600+

Sempr0n 3500+

Sempr0n 3400+

Sempr0n 3200+

Sempr0n 3000+ As you can see from the list, all the hell will broke loose in the Sempr0n range, with 100 PR mark differentiation between upper models. All of the Sempr0ns are 64-bit capable and feature new security technologies, while virtualization technology is of course, reserved for dual-core CPUs. The lack of the current entry-level favourite, the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ will be replaced with a equally priced and similary clocked 4200+. Also, we have learned that FX-62 should have a 67MHz higher clock to upcoming FX-60, e.g. 2.67 GHz clock speed - since AMD is changing the base of HTT from "200" to "333".

 

[nick25]

Thanks for the new there Scorchio - all interesting stuff Could see the higher end semprons vs lower end orleans confusing for the average consumer.

 

[maverik-sg1]

Strange this - only in as much as M2 was supposed to have 1200 pins, unless the inforamtion I had was regarding the the LGA type socket?

Good find all the same

 

[boardy]

The first M2 was ment to have 1200 pins but I think this has been put back. I believe it was to allow a socket for each of the processors in an X2. I may be mistaken tho.

Nice fine scorchio. Really shining on your new title now

 

[Master_G]

I thought M2 was always going to be 940, it was socket F that was going to have 1207 pins or something?

G

 

[boardy]

Naa they changed it, M was rumoured to be the 1200 pin socket, then they changed there mind to bring it out sooner. I think they still have plans for a 120x socket, but who knows what thats gonna be called lol.

Boardy

 

[Master_G]

Socket F, it has 1207 pins:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/20050510043057.html

G

 

[scorchio]

Family/Core/Model/Clock Speed/L2 Cache:



Athlon 64 FX/Windsor/FX-62/2.8GHz/2 x 1MB

Athlon 64 X2/Windsor/5000+/2.6GHz/2 x 1MB

Athlon 64/Orleans/4000+/2.6GHz/512KB

Athlon 64/Orleans/3800+/2.4GHz/512KB

Athlon 64/Orleans/3500+/2.2GHz/512KB/

Sempron/Manila/3500+/2.2Ghz/256KB

Sempron/Manila/3400+/2.0GHz/256KB

Sempron/Manila/3200+/1.8GHz/256KB

Sempron/Manila/3000+/1.6GHz/256KB



AMD new series of processors based on Socket M2 will be launching in April timeframe and all the motherboard makers are getting ready for the Socket M2 motherboards. Although processors based on Socket M2 is 940 pin like the current Opterons but the boards are not compatible with each other. Socket M2 processors will support Dual Channel DDR2-667 memories with a low latency of CL3 and HTT is raised from 200MHz to 333MHz.



The initial line-up of the Socket M2 includes Athlon 64 FX (Windsor), Athlon 64 X2 (Windsor), Athlon 64 (Orleans) as well as Sempron (Manila). Even the budget Sempron series will support Dual Channel therefore Socket M2 will completely replace Socket 939 and Socket 754. Since AMD is still on 90nm process for the initial Socket M2 processors line-up, therefore it is unlikely that the clock speeds will exceed 3GHz and performance to be improved significantly.

 

[maverik-sg1]

[COLOR=black']Socket M2 processors will support Dual Channel DDR2-667 memories with a low latency of CL3 and HTT is raised from 200MHz to 333MHz.[/COLOR]

Low Latency :? me thinks that Intel speak innit for not as fast as we'd hoped lol.

Since AMD is still on 90nm process for the initial Socket M2 processors line-up, therefore it is unlikely that the clock speeds will exceed 3GHz and performance to be improved significantly.

Therefore cementing the fact that the first wave of this new sockets products' will offer little or no benefit for existing hi-end 939 users to upgrade.

It will be like this for the 1st 6months at least, probably more, it took 12 months for the next gen SLI boards to be released (and stocked) it'll be at least another 10 months before the next wave of 65nm cpu's will be introduced too.

Long live skt 939

 

[chris_ah1]

What do you think the scene will be like in early June?

I'm now lusting over a micro atx machine with socket AM2 and 65nm chip in a sg01 case from silverstone with an external water cooler on top (single GPU though). I bet i'll be waiting for ages for good matx boards so I might as well've just bought a socket 939 system when the 7800gtx 512MB came out.

 

[maverik-sg1]

For starters it'll be April 2007 before we see 65nm cpu's from AMD in the new socket - first wave of chips will be 90nm.

By that time micro ATX (SFF) mobos will be better priced and we'll be seeing the 2nd generation directx 10 cards by then.

But to keep you going I suggest you look to build around a dual core x2 or FX60 shuttle with G71

 

[chris_ah1]

For starters it'll be April 2007 before we see 65nm cpu's from AMD in the new socket - first wave of chips will be 90nm.

By that time micro ATX (SFF) mobos will be better priced and we'll be seeing the 2nd generation directx 10 cards by then.

But to keep you going I suggest you look to build around a dual core x2 or FX60 shuttle with G71

lol, I'm really fooked then. because as good as my mobile athlon is, it won't last till the middle of 2007....but it might as thats my finals year and i don't know if i want a top spec system near me But i don't want to spend £1900 either on a system I'll want to ditch by april 2007 either, unless i ditch it in mid 2008 I guess. I really messed up this round.

for £1900: silverstone sg01, gigabyte matx board, x2 4800+, 7800gtx 512MB (but i'll happily but a 7800ultra in), 150GB raptor, 400GB drive, seasonic 500W and of course air cooled. Hmm, i guess it could work if i buy it in May.