AMD Sempron for Socket AM2
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As every new platform is released, the focus is always put on its most
efficient part - the top-end processors and chipsets, normally in
combination with "extreme" memory modules and powerful 3D accelerators.
But will the average user have enough means to buy such a "monster" PC?
Most likely not. Also, such a high performance with its increased power
consumption is not always needed. When assembling a "workhorse" PC or a
multimedia center, which are most frequently assembled and high-end
components are not a must, they normally choose something inexpensive,
reliable and offering sufficient performance. So today we are talking
just about a platform like that.
AMD Sempron AM2
Migrating its CPUs to the new AM2 sockets with its new memory
controller able running with DDR2 memory, AMD has not ignored the
budget processors. Sempron CPUs have officially acquired a dual-channel
memory controller which is able running with the faster
DDR2-400/533/667 memory. It's just these processors which soon should
come as a replacement for "budget" platforms: the official Socket 754
and unofficial Socket 939.
Let's represent what inherits what as tables:
Sempron Socket AM2
|
|
CPU clock speed, GHz
|
HT speed, MHz
|
L2, K
|
Process technology
|
Dual-channel memory controller
|
64bit
|
NX-bit
|
Cool'n'Quiet
|
|
Sempron 3600+
|
2,0
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3500+
|
2,0
|
800
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3400+
|
1,8
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3200+
|
1,8
|
800
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3000+
|
1,6
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
None
|
|
Sempron 2800+
|
1,6
|
800
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
None
|
Sempron Socket 939
|
|
CPU clock speed, GHz
|
HT speed, MHz
|
L2, K
|
Process technology
|
Dual-channel memory controller
|
64bit
|
NX-bit
|
Cool'n'Quiet
|
|
Sempron 3400+
|
2,0
|
1000
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3200+
|
1,8
|
1000
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3000+
|
1,8
|
1000
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Sempron Socket 754
|
|
CPU clock speed, GHz
|
HT speed, MHz
|
L2, K
|
Process technology
|
Dual-channel memory controller
|
64bit
|
NX-bit
|
Cool'n'Quiet
|
|
Sempron 3400+
|
2,0
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3300+
|
2,0
|
800
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3100+
|
1,8
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm/130 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 3000+
|
1,8
|
800
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Sempron 2800+
|
1,6
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
None
|
|
Sempron 2600+
|
1,6
|
800
|
128
|
90 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
None
|
|
Sempron 2500+
|
1,4
|
800
|
256
|
90 nm, SOI
|
None
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
None
|
It is easy to note that Socket AM2 CPUs have acquired higher
PR ratings with the same clock speed limit. Perhaps these ratings were
calculated on the assumption that the faster DDR2 memory will affect
the performance positively. But prior to finding out if that is the way
in practice, let's look at the exterior of the new CPUs, starting with
the package.
The CPU is shipped in a cardboard package of customary green
color. On the side, there is a window through which the buyer can view
the CPU and its marking.
Inside the package, we found the following: the CPU, the
renewed cooler (with a fastener for AM2), a user's manual, and a logo
sticker.
AMD Sempron Socket 939 and Socket AM2: top view
Externally, the renewed processor makes little difference from
CPUs of the previous generation. The difference can be seen from only
the marking which now looks as SDA3000IAA3CN. The marking can be read
as follows: SDA – Sempron for workstations, 3000 –
the CPU rating, I – type of the packaging: 940-pin
OµPGA (Socket AM2), A – varying supply voltage of
the core (probably 1.25-1.35 V), A – the variable maximum
admissible temperature, 3 – the L2 cache size 256 K, CN
– the Manila core. A more precise data can be displayed with
utilities.
AMD Sempron Socket 939 and Socket AM2: bottom view
The Socket AM2 processor viewed from the bottom is easy to
distinguish if we closely examine the positioning of pins. Have you
found a redundant pin? On the photo, it is in the bottom-left corner of
the right-hand processor.
Here is the complete info summary of the processor being
tested produced with the CPU-Z utility.
For comparison, we also bring in the info on AMD Sempron for
Socket 939.
Before we run the tests, a few words on the overclocking.
Overclocking on the test bench was not in success, because the
motherboard did not allow changing the multiplier of the HyperTransport
bus. The result proved rather modest – merely 1745 MHz.
But on the motherboard ASUS M2N-E the result proved better
– the stability limit 2080 MHz with a nominal cooler. It is
interesting to note that raising voltage on the core has not resulted
in anything – we failed to improve the overclocking, and the
CPU was heating up to 63°
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