AMD A64 & Opteron FAQ Guide

MrRevhead · 8th January 2006, 11:31 AM

AMD A64 & Opteron Specifications

- AMD Athlon Desktop Processor Quick Reference Guide
- AMD Opteron Server Processor Quick Reference Guide

AMD Socket AM2

Proposed AM2 Motherboards Discussion Thread

Quote:

Socket AM2 is AMD's new CPU format that consolidates all their desktop CPUs under one socket. (Sempron, A64, A64 X2, and A64 FX). This obviously makes life easier for end-users who are considering the AMD solution. Something to note for this new format, is the introduction of efficient versions of the desktop CPUs. (Previous, low-power versions of the K8-based CPUs were only available for Opterons).

AMD has classified Socket AM2 in 5 categories. (in terms of TDP and market)

* 125W = Dual-Core, 1MB Cache per core => A64 FX => "Extreme Gaming"
* 89W = Dual-Core, 1MB Cache per core => A64 X2 => "Performance and Mainstream"
* 89W = Dual-Core, 512KB Cache per core => A64 X2 => "Performance and Mainstream"
* 62W = Single-Core, 512KB Cache => A64 => "Mainstream"
* 62W = Single-Core, 128KB/256KB Cache => Sempron => "Value"

* Formerly known as Socket M2
* 940-pins
* DDR2-800 Memory
* CPUs will be Revision F.
* NOT compatible with old Socket 940 format.
* Available in both Single and Dual Core.
* There are also Energy Efficient Desktop Models

For further, more detailed & up-to-date information on Socket AM2, refer to stmok's Socket AM2 Wiki Entry

AMD Official Thermal, Mechanical & Chassis Design Guide

AMD released in 2002 a whitepaper technical document that recommends how to design a computer system for ideal thermal conditions. The guide was officially writted for the Athlon XP series of processors, but has information that is applicable to current day processors, such as ideal case airflow paths, thermocouple installation and using the PSU as an exhaust.

AMD Official Thermal, Mechanical & Chassis Design Guide

A64 & Opteron IHS Removal

A useful procedure many users have done to help reduce the temperatures of their CPU's.

- AMD A64/Opteron IHS Removal Guide - Video
- AMD A64/Opteron IHS Removal Guide - Photo based

A64 & Opteron Heatsink & Fan Removal

A few people have either damaged the pins to their CPU's or the whole CPU itself by incorrectly removing the HSF from their CPU/Motherboard.

Below is an official AMD video on how to remove your HSF (low quality to cater for dial-up users)

AMD Complete Processor Installation Video Index

A64 Overclocking Guides

- OCAU - Covers mainly the basics to the concept of overclocking
- i4memory - Specifically A64 overclocking, well documented with links to needed/helpful software

- AnandTech - Concise, straight to the point
- NeoSeeker - Displays some performance comparisons through different A64 overclocking settings
- DFI Motherboard Specific Overclocking Guide - A very detailed guide on how to overclock your CPU specifically on DFI motherboards.

A64 Benchmarking & Information Software/Tools

Some common types of Benchmarking & CPU Information software used on AMD Systems:

Benchmarking:

- Everest Home Edition
- SuperPi v1.4
- Hexus PiFast
- 3Dmark 01, 03, 05 & PCmark 04
- SiSoft Sandra 2005

Hardware Information & Stability Testing Tools:

- CPUz
- GCPUID
- CBID
- LTSoft CPUi (Developed by OCAU member ^lave)
- Prime95
- A64 Tweaker
- A64 Memory Divider Helper
- ClockGEN NF3 & NF4 versions
- Memtest 86+ CD ISO & Floppy versions
- NVIDIA NTune
- SpeedFan
- Motherboard Monitor 5 - DFI Users: You will need Soundx98's plugin to get correct readings (NF3/4 data file & NF2 data file) **Issues with the DFI NF4 Infinity Series! CPU readings may fluctuate. A new BIOS revision may fix this problem
- AMD Core Temp (Measures CPU temperature off the CPU die rather than Digital Thermal Sensor for a more accurate reading)

Single vs Dual Core CPU's

Neoseeker & Anandtech have composed some interesting & detailed comparison reports between Single vs Dual Core, which cover their purposes, target markets, benefits and overclockibility.

-Dual Core Processors - Why Now?
-Dual Core Shootout: Intel 955x vs AMD NF4
-AMD Dual Core Performance Review (Dual vs Single)

Extract:

Click to view full-sized image!

Another commonly referred to & used stepping deciphering method to go by:

Quote:

For the 4-letter codes:
First letter represents the day of week manufactured.
- R for first day of week
- S for second day of week
...
- X for last day of week
- M for combined lots

Second letter is for assembly location.

Third letter is for wafer lot sequence of the day, A - Z, with M for combined lots.

Fourth letter, nothing or W which designates combining wafer lots is prohibited.

Since Venice/San Diego development, instead of using just R, S, T, U, V, W, X for day of week, A, B, C, D, E, F, G are seen.

Example:
From a 939 Winchester, CFFBD 0431 UPAW
CFFBD - stepping code
0431 - week of 31, year 2004
UPAW - as above

Original Post

Performance RAM on A64

DFI Motherboard Compatibility & Recommended Memory Guide

BH5/UTT vs TCCD/5 (<1GB)
A common question asked by many A64/Opteron users is which one provides greater bandwidth and will allow my system to run a higher clockrate.
In short, TCCD/5 will overclock to a higher figure with looser timings & less voltage whereas BH5/UTT will clock lower with tighter timings & high voltage. When BH5/UTT is coupled with a RAM divider, the performance of BH5/UTT is on par or greater than that of TCCD/5 due to tighter timings, although some benchmarking programs like SiSoft Sandra will show greater benefits towards TCCD/5's favour. In making your decision, it all comes down to your primary uses for the system, whether it be benchmarking, gaming, encoding or standardised use.

Zebo from Anandtech has done very detailed comparison benchmarks across a variety of applications using different BH5/UTT & TCCD/5 modules running at different timings and speeds.

Read the comparison report here

Alternatively, you can also visit i4memory and review numerous benchmarks that eva2000 & other members have done using the above RAM types.

XtremeSystems also has a RAM Database for 1GB kits (2x512MB) which outlines what IC's difference models of RAM use. You can refer to the list through this link

Samsung UCCC, Micron -5 BD & Infineon BE-5 (1GB+)
Larger RAM modules contain different IC's to that of their smaller counterparts, but this hasnt stopped people from getting good clock rates. The downside with the larger modules is the RAM latencies are in most cases, not as tight as what you would normally expect with smaller modules containing BH5/UTT or TCCD/5. None the less, people have still been yielding good results with Samsung UCCC, Micron 5B D & Infineon BE5 modules with CAS latencies of 2.5 & 3.

The Samsungs are commonly found on Corsair Value Series, Mushkin XP 4000 & OCZ EL PC4000 modules.

Micron, which have been the most consistant in terms of yielding a high clock rate can be commonly found in Crucial Ballistix (Z503) & Tracers.

The Infineon stuff is commonly found in Muskin Hi Performance (Blue) & OCZ Platinums (PC3200).

In Australia, some of these 2x1GB kits mentioned above start from a low $299, well worth considering if you are building a new performance system.

XtremeSystems also has a RAM Database for 1GB modules & 2GB kits (2x1GB) which outlines what IC's different models of RAM use. You can refer to the list through this link

VCORE and VDIMM with A64/Optreron CPU's

Tony, an employee at OCZ memory, verified the following from AMD regarding their CPU's & Memory:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony

If you run a high vdimm and a low vcore with E die etc you are running the risk of killing the cpu's. So if you have VX etc and you are not raising the vcore on your cpu you stand a chance of pumping a lot of current into the memory controller and causing permenant damage.

Im seeing people running $1k cpu's at default vcore and BH5 at 3.4V, this is a sure way to kill the cpu and is NOTHING to do with an issue on the board. If you are going to run high vdimm run a higher vcore also, and keep your CPU's ok.

Original Post

MrRevhead · 8th January 2006, 11:32 AM

Official AMD CPU Driver Files

- A64/Opteron CPU Driver
- A64/Opteron Dual Core Lag Optimisation Driver

Related Discussion Thread

1T vs 2T Memory Settings on A64 Systems

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncsa

The Bandwidth tools (Everest & SiSoft) show a significant difference between running 1T vs 2T Command Rate - upwards of 25%, however, the Benchmark tools did not reflect such a large gap and there seems to be about a 2-3% performance hit when running 2T. It would appear that the Bandwidth Tools use some test process which is not reflective of the real world situation and as a result people quote these figures as being the reason not to use 2T timing...

Now if you look across the DDR scale you will see that if you are able to increase DDR by 7-10% this will have effectively reclaimed the 2-3% performance hit of the 2T setting. This is something to consider when trying to get that high OC where maybe 2T is stable but 1T just isn't.

Benchmark Comparison Document (PDF version). Thanks to ncsa from Overclock.net

Benchmark 1T vs 2T comparison results using TCCD-based RAM (Geil One).

Percentile (%) differences:

Click to view full-sized image!

SiSoft Sandra:

Click to view full-sized image!

Everest Read/Write:

Click to view full-sized image!

For more comparisons, search within these forums or give i4memory a go.

AGP vs PCIe

Common questions are which one is faster, what are they faster in doing and which one utilises the CPU less.

Here are some brief benchmarks:

3DMark05 1024x768 (no AA/AF)

Click to view full-sized image!

3DMark05 1024x768 (with AA/AF)

Click to view full-sized image!

Business Winstone 97

Click to view full-sized image!

A more detailed comparison between the two can be found at the following:

- TechConnect Magazine
- PC Mechanic

A64 CPU Pin Repair

Many A64/Opteron owners either bend or break the pins on their CPU accidently, with this occurrance happening more on A64-based systems than with Skt A systems, mainly due to Socket design & HSF mounting procedures.

Gary Headlee from Motherboard Repairs has previously been known to fix some pin breakage problems on CPU's for around US$35. Well worth getting in contact with him if you experience the same with a good CPU.
Specialised Jewellers with laser precision tools have also been known to do the job if they are game enough to take the task on in the first place.

A User's experience

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credits:
- OCAU - Members for their helpful advice & contributions
- i4memory (eva2000)
- XtremeSystems
- Anandtech
- Neoseeker
- Extreme Overclocking
- Overclock.net

Updates:
* 08/01/06: Compuser's request for temperature monitoring software added (MBM5 & SpeedFan v4.72)
* 08/01/06: Added A64 CPU Pin Repair sub-section
* 08/01/06: Added AGP vs PCIe Comparison
* 09/01/06: Added VCORE and VDIMM with A64/Optreron CPU's
* 10/01/06: Added Anandtech/Neoseeker articles in Single vs Dual Core section
* 10/01/06: Added A64 Performance RAM Comparison: BH5/UTT vs TCCD/5
* 11/01/06: Added I)ickie's request for 2GB Performance RAM list
* 22/01/06: Added DFI Motherboard Compatibility & Recommended RAM Guide
* 22/01/06: Added DFI Motherboard Overclocking Guide
* 30/01/06: Added AMD A64 HSF Removal/Replacement Video
* 20/02/06: Added AMD Socket AM2 Wiki Entry
* 16/04/06: Added AMDGeek's AMD Stepping vs Overclock Database Link
* 19/04/06: Added AMD Socket M2 Proposed Motherboard Discussion Thread
* 25/04/06: Added LTSoft CPUi AMD CPU Information Software Link
* 27/04/06: Added AMD CPU Stepping Locations Reference Picture
* 04/06/06: Added Official AMD CPU Driver & Dual Core Lag Optimisation Software Link
* 07/06/06: Added Core Temp & GCPUID Software Links
* 01/07/07: Added IHS Removal Photo & Video Guides
* 15/10/07: Added AMD Official Thermal, Mechanical & Chassis Design Guide

MrRevhead · 8th January 2006, 11:32 AM

Feel free to add/contribute with links to handy software and/or threads/guides.

Either PM me or Post within here.

bbjayo · 8th January 2006, 4:17 PM

awesome work mate

Hopefully this will help reduce the number of same old question threads we've been seeing lately

bb

Mal · 8th January 2006, 5:51 PM

Excellent work.

Mal

CaBLE. · 16th January 2006, 3:22 AM

Thanks mrrevhead for this thread. I'm somewhat of an amature looking to learn the ins and outs. Very helpful, much appreciated.

stmok · 19th February 2006, 3:59 PM

OCAU wiki entry...

Information about Socket AM2
http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/...out_Socket_AM2

Whisper · 22nd April 2006, 1:21 AM

Is there a chart anywhere of which CPU is faster than the other, as that is all anybody cares about really.

Good post though.

MrRevhead · 22nd April 2006, 9:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisper

Is there a chart anywhere of which CPU is faster than the other, as that is all anybody cares about really.

Good post though.

For standard OEM speeds of AMD processors, refer to the A64/Opteron desktop quick reference guide in the first post.

For the average overclock of particular series of processors based on stepping/batch information, refer to the number of OCAU & Xtreme Systems overclocking threads sorted by core architecture (Venice, San Diego etc).

Whisper · 23rd April 2006, 1:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrrevhead

For standard OEM speeds of AMD processors, refer to the A64/Opteron desktop quick reference guide in the first post.

Not what I really was looking for, but oh well.

S.Traaken · 7th May 2006, 2:07 AM

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?p=1&r=300

Overclocking on the 754/939 Platform

An in-depth, detailed document. Well worth a look - lots of detail.

Joseph · 24th July 2006, 10:27 AM

very nice comliation, will keep me busy for a couple of days

H0oR0o · 15th October 2006, 8:49 PM

excellent work guys, has helped me heaps

stablez · 6th May 2007, 10:47 AM

Not bad at all. Alot to explore thru!

Punk · 6th April 2008, 11:58 AM

Got bored here some phenom stuff

AMD Phenom (K10) Overclocking Guide (translated)
http://translate.google.com/translat...p%3Ft%3D329674

same guide different place
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...34&postcount=8

AMD Game website
ATi drivers, AMD overdrive, Cpu and chipset drivers/tools
http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_overdrive.aspx

Howto disable the tlb-fix with CrystalCPU (if you feel the need to)
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=171105

8th January 2006, 11:32 AM	#3
MrRevhead Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,615	Feel free to add/contribute with links to handy software and/or threads/guides. Either PM me or Post within here. __________________ AMD A64 & Opteron FAQ Guide \| 45nm Wolfdale & Yorkfield Database \| Successful Trades\| i4memory.com Main: E8400 @ 4Ghz / 1.32v \| ASUS P5Q-E \| 4GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer Secondary: Intel E6600ES Step 5 B1 (3.6Ghz/1.38v) \| P5B Deluxe \| 4GB Micron D9GCT (OEM) Laptop: IBM Thinkpad T60 [Core Duo T2500 - 2Ghz] \| 2GB DDR2 \| 100GB HDD \| ATi Radeon X1400 Last edited by MrRevhead; 8th January 2006 at 11:50 PM.

8th January 2006, 5:51 PM	#5
Mal Elitist Custom Title Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bris Vegas Posts: 1,436	Excellent work. Mal __________________ \|\|Datsport\|\|How to sayLinux

19th February 2006, 3:59 PM	#7
stmok Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 8,872	OCAU wiki entry... Information about Socket AM2 http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/...out_Socket_AM2 __________________ "Haters gonna hate." => "I have no logical rebuttal to your criticism so I'm going to say something simple and meaningless to make myself feel better."-crabjokeman from Techreport.com forums. "The politicians don’t just want your money. They want your soul. They want you to be worn down by taxes until you are dependent and helpless."-James Dale Davidson.

24th July 2006, 10:27 AM	#12
Joseph Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,392	very nice comliation, will keep me busy for a couple of days __________________ Successful trades: search! too many to list

15th October 2006, 8:49 PM	#13
H0oR0o Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brisbane Posts: 83	excellent work guys, has helped me heaps __________________ system: W7 Pro x64 \| Q9450 \| 4Gb DDR2 \| GA-X48-DQ6 \| GTX280 \| 850W \| 2+ TB HDDs \| 2 DVDRWs \| + 3.5" FDD

8th January 2006, 4:17 PM	#4
bbjayo Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 445	awesome work mate Hopefully this will help reduce the number of same old question threads we've been seeing lately bb

16th January 2006, 3:22 AM	#6
CaBLE. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	Thanks mrrevhead for this thread. I'm somewhat of an amature looking to learn the ins and outs. Very helpful, much appreciated.

7th May 2006, 2:07 AM	#11
S.Traaken Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Burnie, Tasmania Posts: 138	http://www.short-media.com/review.php?p=1&r=300 Overclocking on the 754/939 Platform An in-depth, detailed document. Well worth a look - lots of detail.

6th May 2007, 10:47 AM	#14
stablez Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Humidycrib Posts: 4,043	Not bad at all. Alot to explore thru! __________________ Apple G4 @ 1.29Ghz 1GB DDR SDRAM aTi 9000 Shawtys love is like a pyramid Aint nothing on you bAby.. [I]Venus vs Mars.[/I] A wide world rider. ]So true eh Use ware so good to me and made me as smart. Ta! WAT$UBZ

6th April 2008, 11:58 AM	#15
Punk Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: WA Posts: 1,020	Got bored here some phenom stuff AMD Phenom (K10) Overclocking Guide (translated) http://translate.google.com/translat...p%3Ft%3D329674 same guide different place http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...34&postcount=8 AMD Game website ATi drivers, AMD overdrive, Cpu and chipset drivers/tools http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_overdrive.aspx Howto disable the tlb-fix with CrystalCPU (if you feel the need to) http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=171105 __________________ ...