Technical FAQ--AMD CPU

-The AMD Athlon processor currently is available at clock speeds of 750, 700, 650, 600, 550 and 500 MHz. New AMD Athlon processors are now being built using AMD's advanced 0.18-micron process technology.

-No. The high-performance AMD Athlon processor requires a more powerful and scalable system bus than current sixth-generation buses in order to keep pace with emerging, bandwidth-intensive applications. The AMD Athlon processor has a 200-MHz system bus, with plans to move to 266Mhz next year, and it is based on the Alpha EV6 bus protocol licensed from Digital Equipment Corporation. This new bus is designed to enable AMD Athlon processor-based multiprocessing platforms that will provide the scalability and enhanced performance required by the commercial enterprise market.

-No. The AMD Athlon processor uses AMD's Slot A module design, which is mechanically compatible with Slot 1 motherboards but uses a different electrical interface. Because Slot A and Slot 1 infrastructures are not electrically compatible, the AMD Athlon processor cannot work with Slot 1 motherboards. Slot A is designed to connect electrically to a 200-MHz system bus based on the Alpha EV6 bus protocol, thus delivering a significant performance advantage over Slot 1 infrastructure.

Can I upgrade my AMD-K6R-2 or AMD-K6-III processor-based system to the AMD Athlon processor?

-No. The AMD Athlon processor is a totally new architecture and system platform demanding a new set of thermal and electrical specifications and enclosure requirements to match its leading-edge performance capabilities.

-Socket A is the internal codename for AMD's next generation socketed interface for the AMD Athlon processor. Future versions of the AMD Athlon processor are planned to be available in socketed versions to enable lower infrastructure costs, lower packaging costs, and smaller form factor enclosures. Socket A will be unique to the high performance AMD Athlon processor, and will not be electrically or mechanically compatible with existing, lower performing socket interfaces

-The AMD Athlon processor's on-chip L1 cache is 128KB-four times the size of the Pentium III processor's L1 cache. The AMD Athlon processor's advanced L2 cache design is scalable in size and speed. The current version of the AMD Athlon processor, including the 750MHz AMD Athlon processor, have a 512KB L2 cache. Future versions are planned to offer full-speed, on-die L2 cache sizes scaling to 8MB, enabling a total system cache larger than any x86 processor solution currently available.

-Yes. The AMD Athlon processor was designed to be compatible with the MicrosoftR WindowsR operating systems, including Windows 98 and Windows NTR, as well as other leading operating systems, such as Unix, Linux, OS/2 Warp, and Novell NetWare. The AMD Athlon processor was designed to be compatible with the existing installed base of more than 60,000 software packages.

-A significant step beyond the popular AMD-K6R processor, the AMD-K6-2 processor is the first to offer AMD's innovative 3DNow!￠a technology to deliver better overall performance than PentiumR II and a superior 3D experience for WindowsR computing at an affordable price. The AMD-K6-2 processor features superscaler MMX￠a technology for leading-edge two-dimensional multimedia performance and enables support for a 100-MHz system bus to speed access to L2 cache and main memory by up to 50 percent leading to a significant increase in PC system performance. Currently, the AMD-K6-2 processor is available in clock speeds of 366-MHz, 380-MHz, 400-MHz, 450-MHz, 475-MHz and 500-MHz.

Does the AMD-K6R-2 processor with 3DNow! technology replace my 3D graphics accelerator card?

-No, the AMD-K6R-2 processor works hand-in-hand with your high-end graphics accelerator to enable a complete PC that delivers leading-edge 3D performance.

-MMX was developed primarily to improve integer-based multimedia performance, but it does not effectively address the needs of floating-point intensive 3D applications. The growing trend towards 3D applications requires even more powerful processors with specific enhancements to accelerate 3D performance. 3DNow! moves beyond MMX to deliver the 3D performance needed for today's emerging 3D applications such as games, edutainment, and business productivity titles. Both the AMD-K6R and AMD-K6-2 processors include MMX technology. The AMD-K6-2 is the industry's first processor to implement 3DNow! technology.

-Yes, if it's from AMD, it's compatible. Extensive internal and external testing ensures that the AMD-K6R-2 is compatible with all versions of the MicrosoftR WindowsR operating system, other leading operating systems, and more than 60,000 software applications. The AMD-K6-2 processor has the support of Microsoft and the independent software community.

-Yes. Socket 7 represents the vast majority of today's installed base of PCs and has been proven for reliability, upgradeability, and low cost. For even better system performance with the AMD-K6R-2 processor, choose a Super7 motherboard. Before selecting a motherboard you should first check with the manufacturer and review the recommended AMD motherboard support list.

-The Super7 initiative supercharges today's Socket 7 platform by adding support for AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) and an industry-standard, high-performance 100-MHz system bus. The addition of a 100-MHz interface speeds access to level 2 cache and main memory by up to 50 percent, leading to a significant increase in system performance. Super7 motherboards are the best choice for high-performance AMD-K6R-2 processor-based PCs.

-Check the AMD recommended motherboard support list for motherboards AMD has tested with the AMD-K6R-2 processor. While the AMD-K6-2 is Socket 7 compatible, a Super7 motherboard is the best choice for peak system performance.

-Before attempting any upgrades, you should contact the manufacturer of your motherboard. You may need a new motherboard to upgrade your system effectively. A new motherboard will ensure your system has the correct voltage and BIOS support for the AMD-K6R-2. In addition, many new motherboards will support the new Super7 platform initiative which provides important new features such as AGP and a 100-MHz system bus for peak performance. AMD tests motherboards on an ongoing basis. Please check out our Tips on Making a Smart Motherboard Choice.

-The AMD-K6R-III with 3DNow! technology is the ultimate sixth-generation processor for home PC enthusiasts and business power users. The AMD-K6-III processor combines 3DNow! technology with AMD's new TriLevel Cache design to deliver exceptional performance on leading business and consumer software applications. The AMD-K6-III boasts as much as one speed grade advantage in performance on mainstream business applications when compared to a similarly clocked PentiumR III processor. The key to this enhanced performance is AMD's innovative TriLevel Cache design, which provides the largest total system cache for WindowsR compatible desktop PCs - more than four times the size of the other competing system designs. The AMD-K6-III processor is currently available at clock speeds of 400-MHz and 450-MHz.

-The new TriLevel Cache design of the AMD-K6R-III processor significantly boosts overall PC performance by providing the largest, fastest, and most flexible total system for WindowsR compatible desktop PCs. Complete details are covered in the TriLevel Cache White Paper.

-The AMD-K6R-III is the ultimate sixth-generation processor and is designed to compete against the PentiumR III in the Performance PC segment. An AMD-K6-III processor-based system offers as much as one speed grade advantage in performance when compared to a similarly clocked and configured Pentium III system. The AMD-K6-2 continues to offer superior price/performance value against the Pentium II and Celeron processors for mainstream PCs. Both the AMD-K6-III and AMD-K6-2 processors offer AMD's 3DNow! technology.

-3DNow!technology is the first innovation to the x86 processor architecture that significantly enhances floating-point intensive three-dimensional (3D) graphics and multimedia performance for today's mainstream MicrosoftR WindowsR compatible personal computers. Benefits of 3DNow! technology include leading-edge 3D performance, realistic and lifelike 3D imaging and graphics, big screen sound and video, and the ulimate Internet experience. 3DNow! technology and Intel's Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE) in the PentiumR III processor include similar technologies. However, 3DNow! technology first became available in the AMD-K6R-2 processor and is also included in the AMD-K6-III and AMD Athlon processors. 3DNow! technology has more than a nine-month time-to-market headstart and enjoys a worldwide installed base of more than 15 million AMD-K6-2 processor-based PCs. This installed base is planned to grow to exceed 30 million by the end of 1999. See complete details 3DNow!Technology .

Does the AMD-K6R-III processor with 3DNow! technology replace my 3D graphics accelerator card?

-No, the AMD-K6R-III processor works hand-in-hand with your high-end graphics accelerator to enable a complete PC that delivers leading-edge 3D performance.

-MMX technology was developed primarily to improve integer-based multimedia performance, but it does not effectively address the needs of floating-point intensive 3D applications. The growing trend towards 3D applications requires even more powerful processors with specific enhancements to accelerate 3D performance. Go to 3DNow! Technology.

3DNow! technology moves beyond MMX technology to deliver the 3D performance needed for today's emerging 3D applications such as games, edutainment and business productivity titles. All members of the AMD-K6 family of processors include MMX technology. 3DNow! technology was first implemented in the AMD-K6R-2 processor and is supported in the AMD-K6-III processor.

-Yes, if it's from AMD, it's compatible. Extensive internal and external testing ensures that the AMD-K6R-III is compatible with the MicrosoftR WindowsR operating system, other leading operating systems, and more than 60,000 software applications. The AMD-K6-III processor has the support of Microsoft and the independent software community.

-Yes. Socket 7 represents the vast majority of today's installed base of PCs and has been proven for reliability, upgradeability, and low cost. For even better system performance with the AMD-K6R-III processor, choose a Super7 motherboard. Before selecting a motherboard you should first check with the manufacturer and review the recommended AMD motherboard support list.

-The Super7 initiative supercharges today's Socket 7 platform by adding support for AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) and an industry-standard, high-performance 100-MHz system bus. The addition of a 100-MHz interface speeds access to level 2 cache and main memory by up to 50 percent, leading to a 10% increase in overall system performance. Super7 motherboards are the best choice for high-performance AMD-K6R-III processor-based PCs.

-Before attempting any upgrades, you should contact the manufacturer of your motherboard. You may need a new motherboard to upgrade your system effectively. A new motherboard will ensure your system has the correct voltage and BIOS support for the AMD-K6R-III processor. In addition, many new motherboards will support the new Super7 platform initiative which provides important new features such as AGP and a 100-MHz system bus for peak performance. AMD tests motherboards on an ongoing basis. Please check out our Tips on Making a Smart Motherboard Choice.

-AMD-K6R-III processor-based systems are available now at a clock speeds of 400-MHz and 450-MHz. AMD-K6-III processor-based PCs are available from leading PC manufactures, retailers, distributers, and resellers around the world.