64-bit AMD Processor

[XMENPorsche]

What are the fastest three 64-bit AMD processors today?

I'm about ready to start building my next machine. What would you consider the best bang for the buck in 64-bit AMD processor/mobo combos? I'd like a mobo that could support at least 8Gb of RAM.

I'll be starting with 4Gb (2 DIMMS), and the rest of the specs will look something like this....

1 - 250Gb primary hard drive (O/S (Vista Ultimate) and programs)
2 - 1Tb drives (1 for storage, 1 for backup)
1 - 256Mb video card. Not real important here because this machine will be used primarily for Photoshop CS3 and Office 2007.
1 - sound built into the mobo.
1 - DVD+/-RW w/Lightscribe.
1 - DVD ROM drive.
1 - case - don't want anything larger than a mini-tower.
1 - built in media card reader.

Anything else I need to think of?

[XMENPorsche]

DOH! Just read on the Adobe site that Photoshop CS3 does not come in a 64-bit flavor. It will run in a 64-bit environment, but it's still just a 32-bit app. My guess is that this means that it will not be able to work in anything over the 4Gb limit.

So, that being said, take the 64-bit processor out of the above equation and tell me what you would build that uses a 32-bit quad-core processor? Looking for bang-for-the-buck.

[XMEN Iceman]

AMD Phenom™ Quad-Core Processor
Model Number Frequency
Total L2 Cache
L3 Cache Packaging Thermal Design Power CMOS Technology
9600 2.3 GHz 2MB 2MB socket AM2+ 95W 65nm SOI
9500 2.2 GHz 2MB 2MB socket AM2+ 95W 65nm SOI

AMD64 Technology Yes
Simultaneous 32- & 64-bit computing Yes
L1 Cache (Instruction + Data) per core 128KB (64KB + 64KB)
L2 Cache (512KB per core) 2MB
L3 Cache 2MB
HyperTransport™ Technology HyperTransport™ technology up to 3600MT/s full duplex, or up to 14.4GB/s I/O Bandwidth
Integrated DDR2 Memory Controller yes
Memory Controller Width 128-bit
Type of Memory Supported PC2-8500(DDR2-1066)* PC2 6400(DDR2-800), PC2 5300(DDR2-667), PC2 4200(DDR2-533), and PC2 3200(DDR2-400) unbuffered memory
Memory Bandwidth up to 12.8 GB/s dual channel memory bandwidth
Total Processor-to-system Bandwidth (HyperTransport plus memory bandwidth) up to 27.2 GB/s
Process Technology 65 nanometer, SOI (silicon-on-insulator) Technology
Packaging socket AM2+ (940-pin) organic micro PGA
Thermal Design Power 95W
Die Size 65nm: 285mm2
Number of Transistors 65nm: 450 million
Manufacturing Sites Fab 36 in Dresden , Germany

[XMEN Iceman]

For Dual core here are the fastest.

Model Number and Feature Comparisons
AMD Athlon™ Dual-Core Processors


The introduction of the AMD Athlon™ X2 dual core processor BE-2350 and BE-2300 brings the first opportunity to learn about AMD’s new model methodology. The goal with the new system was to better inform processor choice and utilize a methodology that be long lasting. Existing products will retain their current model numbers. Our customers are familiar with the current models and we will continue to utilize that system until it is phased out over a period of time by new product introductions. New AMD desktop processor models have an alpha numeric format.
Read More




AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor
Model Number Frequency
CMOS Technology
Total Dedicated L2 Cache Packaging Thermal Design Power
6400+ 3.2 Ghz 90nm SOI 2MB socket AM2 125W
6000+ 3.0 GHz 90nm SOI 2MB socket AM2 125W
5600+ 2.8 GHz 90nm SOI 2MB socket AM2 89W
5200+ 2.7 GHz 65nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
5200+ 2.6 GHz 90nm SOI 2MB socket AM2 65W
5000+ 2.6 GHz 90nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
5000+ 2.6 GHz 65nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
4800+ 2.5 GHz 65nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
4400+ 2.3 GHz 65nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
4200+ 2.2 GHz 90nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
4200+ 2.2 GHz 65nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W
4000+ 2.1 GHz 65nm SOI 1MB socket AM2 65W

AMD64 Technology Yes
Simultaneous 32- & 64-bit computing Yes
L1 Cache (Instruction + Data) per core 128KB (64KB + 64KB)
L2 Cache (total dedicated) 1MB or 2MB
HyperTransport™ Technology One 16x16 link @ 2000 MHz bidirectional
HyperTransport Iechnology I/O Bandwidth 8 GB/s
Integrated DDR Memory Controller Yes
Memory Controller Width 128-bit
Type of Memory Supported PC2 6400(DDR2-800), PC2 5300(DDR2-667), PC2 4200(DDR2-533), and PC2 3200(DDR2-400) unbuffered memory (socket AM2)
Memory Bandwidth up to 12.8 GB/s
Total Processor-to-system Bandwidth (HyperTransport plus memory bandwidth) up to 20.8 GB/s
Process Technology 90 nanometer, SOI (silicon-on-insulator) Technology
65 nanometer, SOI (silicon-on-insulator) Technology
Packaging socket AM2 (940-pin) organic micro PGA
Thermal Design Power 125W, 89W, 65W or 45W
Die Size 90nm: 219 mm2
65nm: 118mm2
Number of Transistors 90nm: 164 to 243 million (depending on cache size)
65nm: 221 million
Manufacturing Sites Fab 30 and Fab 36 in Dresden , Germany

[XMEN Iceman]

For the motherboard on the Dual cores I would go with the

ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

Model
Brand ASUS
Model M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type AM2
CPU Type Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64
FSB 1000MHz Hyper Transport (2000 MT/s)
Chipsets
North Bridge NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR2 800
Maximum Memory Supported 8GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes
Expansion Slots
PCI Express x16 2
PCI Express x4 1
PCI Express x1 1
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
PATA RAID NV RAID 0/1/0+1 JBOD
SATA 3Gb/s 7
SATA RAID NV RAID 0/1/0+1/5 JBOD
Additional RAID Controller Sil 3132
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset None
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset ADI AD1988B
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP
Second LAN Chipset Marvell PHY
Max LAN Speed Dual 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
COM 1
USB 4 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
eSATA 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 4 x USB 2.0
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 1x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Windows Vista Certified for Windows Vista
Features
Power Pin 24 Pin
Features 1 x External SATA port
1 x WiFi-g antenna jack
WiFi-AP Solo USB wireless module supports IEEE802.11b/g
Packaging
Package Contents M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
User Manual
Driver Disk
Rear I/O Panel Shield
IDE/PATA Cable
FDD Cable
6 x SATA Cable
3 x Power Cable
USB Bracket
IEEE 1394 Bracket
SLI Bridge
Wireless Antenna
Optional Fan
ASUS Array Mic
ASUS Q-Connector Kit
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limited



For the Quad Core I would go with the

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX Ultra Durable II AMD Motherboard

Model
Brand GIGABYTE
Model GA-MA790X-DS4
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type AM2+/AM2
CPU Type Phenom FX / Phenom / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 X2
FSB 2000MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)
Chipsets
North Bridge AMD 790X
South Bridge AMD SB600
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR2 1066
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 2
PCI Express x1 3
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 4
SATA RAID 0/1/0+1
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset None
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC889A
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Realtek 8111B
Max LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
COM 1
USB 6 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 2 x IEEE 1394a
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 4 x USB 2.0
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 1x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 8.8"
Windows Vista Certified for Windows Vista
Features
Power Pin 24 Pin
Packaging
Package Contents GA-MA790X-DS4
Driver Disk
User Manual
Rear I/O Panel Shield
IDE/PATA Cable
FDD Cable
4 x SATA Cable

[XMEN Ashaman DTM]

You'll need a power supply too.

Any of the dual core and quad core processors from AMD are 64 bit processors. And the on-die cache for each core shouldn't matter too much. What you might be more concerned with is the process-size, with 65nm processes being the current generation for AMD.

32-bit applications will still run, since AMD made sure things were backwards compatible in the instruction set for the processors.

One thing to remember is that the current quad-core processors from AMD contain a bug that will crop up extremely rarely if you run the processor on a server-type of machine. It shouldn't bug you at other times. But the fact that there is a bug in the processor gives a lot of people pause when they go for the Phenom (AMD quad-core). There are BIOS fixes for the current chips... or you can wait a couple of months to purchase a processor from the new batch (B3 stepping). I would buy one now, since the price-to-performance is very competitive with Intel, and they are still solid processors.

Oh and BTW, the bug is named: Translation Lookaside Buffer bug. It has to do with how the processor looks up data in its caches, and it is exceedingly rare. It shouldn't pose problems for you and your applications, but it's still there.

[XMEN Gambit]

I seem to recall an Intel floating-point processor bug that made big news at the time.... Don't have data for what it did to sales figures tho.

[XMEN Ashaman DTM]

Intel covered it up until way after the processor had been out. I think it was two years after the processor was introduced that Intel coughed up the goods.