AMD AM2: More than just a Memory Change
by Wesley Fink on February 6, 2006 1:30 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Bottom Line
The upcoming move to AMD Athlon64 AM2 will introduce a new Socket 940 design. The new Socket is very close in design to the current 940 design used on Opteron motherboards. It appears the pin-outs have been changed just enough to prevent the new AM2 processors from accidentally being plugged into older Socket 940 boards.It was already clear the new CPU would require DDR2 memory, but it appears AMD is also using this architecture change to upgrade the current mounting scheme for Athlon 64 heatsink/fans. The new design is certainly very secure - more stable than the current design - but there are very few existing heatsink/fans that will work on the new cage. From Socket 754, 940, and 939 the same heatsinks have all worked on all Athlon 64 sockets. With AM2 that compatibility basically ends.
For those buying a retail CPU with the HSF this news won't matter at all. For enthusiasts that have invested in more exotic air, water or phase-change cooling solutions for Athlon 64 this could be important news.
Heatsink, water-cooling, and phase-change designers can make a few changes to existing designs that will allow their products to work with both the new AM2 design and the existing A64 754/940/939 design. Keep in mind, though, that it is not likely your current favorite cooling solution for Athlon 64 can go with you to the new AM2 platform.
Speculation is still circulating on exactly when the new AM2 will be launched. Several weeks ago, it appeared likely an AM2 launch would happen in the Cebit (early March) to end-of-April time frame. Announcements of delays the last few weeks now point to a July release date. Whenever the launch happens, those moving to AM2 will at a minimum need a new processor for a new Socket 940, new DDR2 memory to replace existing DDR memory for Athlon 64, and a new or revised heatsink/fan cooling solution.
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xsilver - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
i think what one dude was reffering to above was it would be great if amd made a socket that was obviously different -- having 2 socket 940's that are not compatible may lead users to jam an old socket 940 cpu into a am2 mobo and bend the pinsmesyn191 - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
I doubt that'll ever happen as outside of the server market socket 940 chips are unusual, socket AM2 is for consumers... Also the raised portions on the socket itself should prevent the chip from even laying flat in the first place, there isn't any way anyone with half a brain to screw it up as they'd have to use a hammer to flatten it out and even an idiot would know you don't use a hammer to install a CPU LOL.tygrus - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
If the northbridge had a DDR memory contoller built in, then the CPU could reuse the old stuff as additional RAM (slower + more latency) or the OS use it as a RAMdrive.mesyn191 - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
No, they'd have to put 2 memory controllers on there in order to be able to use DDR and DRR2 with the same chip, they'd probably also have to add several hundred more pins to the package to greatly increasing costs... You're also forgetting increased motherboard costs as you'd need 2 different sets of RAM slots on the motherboard which would be difficult to route properly that close to the CPU, you'd probably need 8 layers or more just like on a server motherboard and those cost a bundle.Its a silly, pointless idea anywhich way you look at it as even if you could make it cost effective you'd only be able to have a 8GB RAM drive (assuming 4 DDR RAM slots) max, which is much to small to be worth anything, not to mention the cost of 2GB DDR DIMMs which even at PC2100 speeds cost $156 a piece. What a waste of money...
eastvillager - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
...which is a pretty good sign they shouldn't be working inside a pc.If people don't understand the ZIF concept, they need to leave CPU installation to somebody who does.
chennhui - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Hi Wesley Fink,Could you pls label your pictures/figure? It look a little bit confusing. Thanks.
Chen
Wesley Fink - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Labels were added to the side-by-side comparisons.SnoMunke - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Since the "new Socket 940" will basically mean a new motherboard, doesn't this pretty much sum up to "a whole new computer"?
Olaf van der Spek - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
No. Existing F/H/ODD, PCI(-E) cards, case and PSU can be used.huges84 - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Is it just me, or are socket 940 and socket AM2 too similar? I don't think that the differences are obvious enough. It would be pretty easy to mistake one for the other. Also, I don't understand the change in heatsink mounts, unless the cooling rewuirements have changed enough that previous coolers are inadequate. Maybe they are trying to encourage OEMs to buy their heatsinks from AMD instead of making their own? I hope the new heatsinks will at least still use the locking lever design. That was pretty simple and worked well.I was hoping for a lot more information when I saw the article. I thought maybe AMD was ahead of schedule and so we were going to get some details early. But the article says they're a little behind. Oh well. At least the delay 'til summer will coincide with me getting the money to upgrade. Of course I need to see a few reviews first.