Review: Stuart "Veridian3" Davidson
Editor/Design: Allan "Zardon" Campbell

 

My main processor for the last few months has been the excellent AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (Barton). Coupled with the NF7-S I have in my main PC it was able to obtain 3200+ speeds without breaking a sweat. Here for review today I have one of AMD’s new 64-bit based processors, the Opteron 146. Rather than see how it performs as a Workstation or Server chip (there are already hundreds of reviews available that cover those tests) lets see how it stacks up against the Barton at 3200+ as a desktop chip…

Opteron Overview:

Here’s what AMD have to say about the processor:

The AMD Opteron™ processor, enabling simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing, represents the landmark introduction of the AMD64 architecture. The AMD Opteron processor is designed to run existing 32-bit applications with outstanding performance and offers customers a simplified migration path to 64-bit computing. This evolutionary processor provides a dramatic leap forward in compatibility, performance, investment protection, and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO). The AMD Opteron processor is offered in three series: the 100 series (1-way), the 200 series (1 to 2-way), and the 800 series (up to 8-way).

The AMD Opteron processor integrates key system elements:

AMD Opteron™ Processor Benefits
The AMD Opteron processor provides a highly scalable architecture that delivers next-generation performance as well as a flexible upgrade path from 32- to 64-bit computing. With a single architecture designed to meet current and future business needs, the AMD Opteron processor can help to minimize the integration complexities presented by business environments today and in the future.

The Opteron model we are reviewing is the 146 which comes clocked at 2.0 GHz, here is a breakdown of the tech specs:

The new AMD processors look entirely different to the Athlons and Durons of the past, now each chip comes with the metal casing which protects the core and helps with heat dissipation. (Something that Intel introduced with the P4). The Opteron and Athlon 64 FX use socket 940 at the moment, the Athlon 64 uses socket 754. The reason behind the extra pins on the Opteron is the memory controller. Where the Athlon 64 has 1 single channel 64bit memory controller integrated on the processor the Opteron has an integrated dual channel 128bit controller.

Cache size has also increased on the Opteron over the Athlon XP, L1 is set at 64kb which is split into 32kb for Instruction Cache and 32kb for Data Cache. The L2 cache is 1024kb (1mb). Another enhancement in the AMD 64 architecture is the change in on chip memory. Athlon XP’s used parity checking for L1 cache, the Opteron uses ECC (Error Correcting Code).

Also implemented in the AMD Opteron is Hypertransport, in layman’s terms this is the connection between the processor, AGP, PCI, firewire, ethernet etc which improves on the busses in existing systems by offering far greater bandwidth. Hypertransport itself can provide a maximum 12.8 GB/second of bandwidth, currently with the Opteron you can have a maximum of 6.4 GB/Second (3.2 gb/s bi directional).

Installation of the Opteron was a breeze, as expected the chip slips in to the socket and then the lever slides the socket into place. Simple, just like the P4 and Athlon.
One area in which AMD really fell behind Intel was the retention mechanism for their recent coolers, where installing an Intel heatsink and fan was a case of place, clip and then tighten my throwing over the lever AMD heatsinks and fans involved applying pressure to the clip with a screwdriver to hook the bracket under the socket clips. There was always a chance you were going to slip and kill some component or another. I’m glad to see that this is another aspect that AMD has worked on and most socket 754 and 940 coolers are even easier to install than the Intel cooler. All that’s required is to hook the metal catch onto the socket (front and back) and throw over the clip.

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FRONT/LEVER (below)

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