Wantin to build an Athlon 64 system

[Eelskraps]

Hiya all... I just completed building an Athlon XP 3200+ rig and now I want to build a 64 rig.

Does anyone have a good guide to what the differences are in the different 64 CPU cores? Winchester, Clawhammer, etc??

Thanks

~~ And yup, google is my friend, Im goin there next but thought this might make an interesting thread =)

[ski]

The Clawhammer core uses 130 nm architecture with a 1 MB L2 cache, while the Winchester core uses 90 nm with a 512 MB L2.
(And FYI, the New Castle core uses 130 nm with 512 MB L2)

Basically speaking, for the same speed CPU, the Clawhammer is slightly faster than the Winchester for desktop applications, where the former's larger L2 cache comes into play. But they both have about the same performance for gameplay.
However, the Winchester runs cooler due to its smaller circuit size.

And the Clawhammer maxes out at 2.6 GHz due to its larger 130 nm circuit size, while the Winchester will be able to power CPU's at faster speeds with its smaller 90 nm circuitry, and thus will produce faster gaming performance.

[deddard]

If you don't need the 64 bit machine immediately, it may be worth hanging on a couple of months until a mobo with PCI-Express is available, which will really let things fly. NVidia and others have released the chipsets, and it's just a case of the mobo makers turning them out now.

[Eelskraps]

thanks guys... and considering i just built the XP machine waiting will keep the wife happy too!!

[saphalline]

All good info so far, just a couple more comments.

All K8 CPU's from AMD have the advantage of an onboard memory controller (essentially an onboard Northbridge) which is of great help in increasing memory bandwidth and reducing latencies, not to mention that it runs at core speed! Expect Intel to do the same when they fire back with their own 64-bit native CPU core.

Socket 940 - older socket interface for Athlon64 FX's, which had the advantage of dual-channel DDR. This is also used for Opterons, which have dual-channel DDR and SMP capabilities.

Socket 754 - this one is still alive and kicking but will probably be phased out within the next year. Used for older Athlon64's which lack the dual-channel DDR of the FX's (they only have single-channel DDR). Also used for K8-based Semprons which lack 64-bit support to keep their cost down.

Socket 939 - the gem of AMD's new socket interfaces, it brings together both the Athlon64 and the Athlon64 FX. They also changed the distinctions. Instead of limiting RAM bandwidth, both the A64 and the A64 FX now have dual-channel DDR, and the only difference is in the L2 cache. The A64 has 512KB, while the FX has 1MB (previously they were mixed as ski pointed out). Not only should this clear up some confusion, but it greatly simplifies the buying decision.

And yes, if you already have an AthlonXP 3200+, you should wait! PCI-E is not going anywhere any time soon, so it will still be there to make you drool in another year. Or 6 months. Or however long you last. :p