AMD Sempron

AMD Athlon 64
AMD Athlon 64 X2

Intel Pentium 4

Dual-core processors

AMD and Intel processor summaries

Table 5-2 lists the important characteristics of current AMD processors, including the
special features they support.

Table 5-2: Table 5-2. AMD processor summary

Table 5-3 lists the important characteristics of current Intel processors, including the
special features they support.

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AMD Sempron
The AMD Sempron processor is designed to meet the needs of home and business PC users. AMD Sempron
processors are 32-bit and offer capabilities that include HyperTransport technology, up to 512K total highperformance cache, advanced 333Mhz frontside bus and an integrated DDR memory controller.
Sempron
3400+
Processor
Review

The Duron
Successor

Review by SharkyExtreme - "The main part of the Sempron market appeal is related to
its low price and high value, and even though the Sempron 3400+ is the top performer
in the AMD entry-level line, relative pricing actually took a slight dip."

From Tom's hardware Guide - AMD's AthlonXP + The Athlon64 = Sempron

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor contains two processing cores, residing on one chip, which increases
efficiency and speed while running multiple programs and multi-threaded software. It enables a seamless transition
from 32-bit to 64-bit applications. Both 32- and 64-bit applications can run virtually simultaneously and transparently
on the same platform.
Athlon 64 X2
Review by SharkyExtreme - "The Athlon 64 X2 processors are the first true dual core
3800+ Processor processors for the desktop, and compared to the Intel Pentium D/Pentium EE design,
Review
offer a more streamlined and forward-thinking architecture."

AMD Athlon 64
AMD64 provides full support for x86 code base for 32-bit computing and is ready for 64-bit applications. AMD64
technology doubles the number of processor registers and increases the system memory addressability.
AMD Athlon 64 Web
page
AMD Athlon 64
4000+ Review

Includes links to information on Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 x2 Dual-core, 64

Processor for Desktops, and Mobile Athlon 64
The guru of 3D offers this Athlon 64 4000+ Review

AMD Opteron
The AMD Opteron processor offers simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing, using AMD's Direct Connect Architecture.
It's designed to run existing 32-bit applications and offer simplified migration path to 64-bit computing. The AMD
Opteron processor is available in 1 to 8-way servers and 1 to 4-way workstation solutions.
An Introduction to the AMD
Opteron

HardwareExtreme provides this Introduction to the

AMD Opteron.

Intel Celeron D
The Intel Celeron D is a value-priced processor. The Celeron D processors include a larger integrated L2 cache and
faster processor system bus when compared to Celeron processors. Celeron processors are available at speeds
ranging from 1 GHz to 2.80 GHz. Celeron D processors offer a 533 MHz multi-transaction processor system bus with
256-KB Level 2 cache. Intel added Extended Memory 64 Technology to its value oriented Celeron D line.
Celeron D Processor Brief
Intel's Celeron D Product Brief Web page.
Intel Celeron D: New, Improved &
Exceeds Expectations

AnandTech provides an introduction to Intel's Celeron D

processors.

Value Overclocking Guide

This SharkyExtreme overclocking guide compares the Celeron

D to the Sempron 3100+.

Intel Pentium 4
The Intel Pentium 4 processor family supporting Hyper-Threading Technology (HT Technology) is best-suited to
desktop PCs and entry-level workstations. The Pentium 4 processor is designed to deliver performance across
applications and uses where end-users can appreciate and experience the performance. These applications include
Internet audio and streaming video, image processing, video content creation, games, multimedia and multitasking
user environments.
Pentium 4 Extreme Edition
The Intel Pentium 4 processor Extreme Edition supporting HT Technology features 3.46 GHz with 2 MB of L3 cache
and 3.73 GHz with 2 M of L2 cache to offer high levels of performance targeted specifically for high-end gamers and
computing power users. It provides flexibility for future applications that support both 32-bit and 64-bit computing with
Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology and is a dual-core processor (two physical cores in one processor support
better system responsiveness and multi-tasking).
Pentium 4 6x Series
The Intel Pentium 4 6x series offers 2MB L2 Cache and clock speeds of 3 to 3.80 GHz. Intel Extended Memory 64
Technology is available on the 600x processors. This provides flexibility for future applications that support both 32-bit
and 64-bit computing.
Pentium 4 5x Series
The Intel Pentium 4 5x series offers 1MB L2 Cache and clock speeds of 2.80 to 3.80 GHz. Intel Extended Memory 64
Technology is available on the 600x processors is available only on some of the 5x models (571, 561, 551, 541, 531,
and 521).
Intel Pentium 4
Specifications

The Intel Pentium 4 Web site with specifications, briefs, Technology

Overview & More.

Pentium 4 Technology
Explained

SharkyExtreme's Hardware Guide explains the technology behind the

Intel Pentium 4

Intel Pentium D
Intel Pentium D processors are designed to provide users with more power while running multiple applications (for
example, editing videos while downloading files). Pemtium D processors offer 2x1MB L2 cache, clock speeds ranging
from 2.80 GHz to 3.20 GHz and an 800 MHz frontside bus. These processors are dual-core and offer Intel Extended
Memory 64 Technology as well.
Intel Pentium D Processors

Intel's Pentium D Web page offers specifications, briefs, Technology

Overview & More.

Pentium 4 670 & Pentium D 820

Processors

SharkyExtreme takes a look at the Pentium 4 670 & Pentium D 820

in this review.

Intel Pentium 3 (Pentium III)

Intel builds on the technology it developed with the Pentium II microprocessors. The Pentium III processor comes
with a Synchronized Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), allowing for an extremely fast transfer of data
between the microprocessor and the memory. Pentium III's offer enhanced multimedia and 3D performance with 100
MHz front-side bus speed, a muti-transaction system bus, and MMX support.
Intel's Pentium III Web page includes a detailed overview, technical
Intel Pentium III Processor specifications, and more.
Intel's Pentium III 1.2GHz
processor

The tech report provides this overview of the Pentium III 1.2GHz.

Did You Know...

The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the number of transistors per square inch
on integrated circuits had doubled every year since the integrated circuit was invented. Moore's Law predicts that this
trend would continue for the foreseeable future. In subsequent years, the pace slowed down a bit, but data density
has doubled approximately every 18 months, and this is the current definition of Moore's Law, which Moore himself
has blessed. (Moore's Law)
Key Terms To Understanding Processors
microprocessor
A silicon chip that contains a CPU. In the world of personal computers, the terms microprocessor and CPU are used
interchangeably. At the heart of all personal computers and most workstations sits a microprocessor.
clock speed
Also called clock rate, the speed at which a microprocessor executes instructions.
dual-core
Dual-core refers to a CPU that includes two complete execution cores per physical processor.