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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PrinceGaz - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
If you think buying a whole new mobo and processor is worth it for a 10-15% performance increase, then you must be more desperate for CPU performance than most of us. My X2 4400+ even before it was overclocked was more than powerful enough for anything (unless I wanted to shave a few minutes off video transcoding), there seems little point in buying an AM2 socket processor until they transition to 65nm and crank the speed up a bit. Unless you need the virtualisation technology, or would prefer a "secure" computer thanks to the DRM garbage which will be included in AMD chips from the introduction of AM2.This article forgot to mention the two real changes with AM2-- virtualisation technology (not really important for most people), and integrated DRM (the first step to someone else controlling your PC).
Zebo - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Looks like old HSF will fit to me. The center hooks where CU clips attach on the hold down plates looked like they are in same place in both sockets. All that's changed from my limited no in front of me view is one hold down plate is done with 4 screws to back plate while the other uses twoDigitalFreak - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Any info on the new chipsets? Maybe the folks at DailyTech could leak some info that Anandtech can't post... :-)rpsgc - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
Look http://www.tbreak.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2587...">here :)Orbs - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
What about for ATI? Will the RD580 support AM2?Wesley Fink - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
The RD580 fully supports AM2.KayKay - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
That's really pushing the Q2 2006 target that we'd been hearing about.I have seen an AM2 board photo, so I'm hoping we're not that far off
http://www.nordichardware.com/news,2968.html">http://www.nordichardware.com/news,2968.html
fzkl - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
The HSFs that came with some of the samples AM2's I used for testing were very comfortable to work with. It was a breeze to mount the HSF on the board. This is a move in the right direction though it definitely means more money to upgrade. Anything better = more money. Guess we just have to get used to that funda.BlvdKing - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
I was hoping the new socket would be pinless like the Intel LGA 775 socket.DigitalFreak - Monday, February 6, 2006 - link
I guess I won't be moving my XP-120 cooler over from my P4 system when I upgrade. Thanks AMD!