Best 'review' ever from Toms.

[knutp]

Im extremely unhappy about the palomino. It should according to amd include a thermal sensor, or a security thing that would not destroy the chip. Just think about a dual mp 1.5 or higher ghz, running in a 1u rack. One of the hsf fans stops working. How hot would the cpu get? and will it crash? and would that possible destroy the cpu, and or motherboard? If it would destroy that parts it would take some time to get that particular server up and running again.

Then a low profile rack with dual xeon and it suddently begins to run slow, then you see that the fan on the hsf isn't working, the server will still be running at slower speeds, and you could actually change the fan without rebooting the system, and then bam full speed without any downtime! I find that most impressive.

As for a home system I don't think there is much need to be scared about amd cpu's. Although there might be some damaged hardware there as well, but the chance are IMO extremely low.

Im not so familiar with servers, but I really think that the fans will eventually wear out, or die when it's running 24/7 for years. Could anyone enlighten me about that?

 

[thermite88]

<< I said he's stupid for running the cpu without the hsf. >>

It is no more stupid than the DOT and Insurance Institute running car crash test to see how well the passager is protected.

This is one of the most useful information from recent hardware reviews. Otherwise, many user would still think that using a Palomino will provide thermal protection while the opposite is true.

It is also good for AMD who needs to go back to the drawing board.

 

[sharkeeper]

Server solutions will have safegaurds! These include locked rotor protection. If the fan stops or slows to a speed below a predefined threshold the cpu clock speed will be reduced as well as the core voltage until the problem is abated. The heatsinks could even have embedded alnico or samarium cobalt magnets that "satisfy" a "proof of engagement" circuit that tells the chipset/controller that the heatsink is in place. Once the hall effect transistor detects separation of the heatsink, the power is disengaged immediately. The circuit would prevent the system from being started without a heatsink in place as well.

The P4 appears to be throttling back considerably when the C/W increases. I'm sure it has a predefined threshold that's high enough that users wouldn't realise throttling without obvious abuse or operation far outside recommended environmental parameters. Removing the HS while under load will definitely increase the C/W enormously! The tiny area of the K7 core turns it into the equivalent of a soldering station! Poof! :Q

Cheers!

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Personally, I found the P4 impressive. And I just had to laugh when the Athlons hit 295+ degrees. That being said, for my personal home use, the savings justifies the risk of burning the CPU. Especially since I don't leave my comp on 24/7.

-Ice

 

[Jgtdragon]

Cool video! Hahaha

The best part is the cheesy music.

 

[McCarthy]

Ok, I own an Athlon, I like AMD, I buy AMD when possible....


But the P4 video was impressive. Comon now, be serious. If your Athlon did that you'd love it just that much more, admit it.


I'll replace my current AMD CPU with another AMD CPU, but that's not saying I don't want to see the same throttling done on the AMD's....as long as the floor is at a reasonable temp. Don't want it throttling at 30 deg C, either, yet I like the idea of having a live CPU -and- board if the HS/F clips do eventually stress the socket tabs and break.


Jeesh, be reasonable. AMD zealot or not, the P4 portion was poetry.

--Mc

 

[damocles]

McCarthy

Well said. I have never forgotten to use a heatsink (seen it done though ) but I have had a couple of fan failures. The clock throttling along with the IHS are nice features which i'm sure will benefit AMD in the future

 

[ukDave]

good article. My AMD likeness has somewhat been tarnished. Great job done by Intel though.

dave

 

[jpprod]

The thermal protection of P4 is very, very impressive. Even application crashes leading to data loss don't occur if cooling system fails.

However, some of you are just being biased and dumb claiming that Tbird systems will catch fire in case of a fan failure. Granted, this may be true for certain motherboards and software configurations, but as long as heatsink makes contact to the CPU, process will take a long time. Furthermore; at least all Asus Socket-A motherboards have thermal protection built into them. While their socket thermistor may not react quick enough in case of heatsink falling off, it is sufficient for BIOS to notice too high temperature in case of a fan failure, and throttle the CPU down / shutdown the system. Even if motherboard doesn't have thermal protection, there are software solutions available.

 

[fkloster]

<< ...at least all Asus Socket-A motherboards have thermal protection built into them. >>



Problem is, that the bois may not be quick enough. I mean, crap! From 40 degrees to 400 degrees in less than a second!!!!! HOLY COW!! Just like the diode on the Palamino functions, but just not quick enough...

 

[Adul]

Why does everyone assume the Athlon has thermal protection? All it has is a thermal diode for reporting tempurature. I have not seen anything stating it has some sort of protection from overheating.

 

[mosdef]

<< Ever heard of the hsf falling off? Not me. That movie it about stupid. Noone in thier right mind would take off the hsf from the cpu. Except maybe Tom. >>



That's an incredibly narrowminded and ignorant comment.

-mosdef

 

[Muse]

<< Another reason why intel processors are more expensive than AMD, better quality. >>

Well, sure. The best costs the most. But on my home machine I don't need the best. I have an AMD T-Bird 1.2 OCed to 1.4, and I'm getting performance I'd have to pay twice as much for in an Intel CPU. Actually, come to think of it, I paid $107 for this chip. Can I get equivalent performance in an Intel chip for $214? Very doubtful. What's the chance that the cooling will fail and my chip fries? Slender. And I should pay twice as much as insurance against losing my investment? Stupid. To me that would be pouring money down the drain.

 

[Dean]

I think Tom did a great job with that article. It basically showed that the Intel processors are alot more fail safe than the AMD offerings. My next updrade will still be another AMD(palomino), but any company who would trust an AMD in a mission critical or business situation is playing with fire(no pun intended).

 

[Pacinamac23]

I think a lot of you guys have trouble accepting that Intel did an exceptional job preventing it P4 from over heating where as the AMD CPUs are terrible.

 

[xtreme2k]

It does hows that AMD CPUs are less 'intended' for the general public. As the general public will have absolutely NO idea about cleaning the computer fan every few months. I wonder what will happen in a few years time when the general public's PCs heatsink fan starts to fail. A LOT of them is going to have some problems, possibly fire. For an Intel system, all they will experience is frequent slow down and app crashes, which they will THEN find some computer head to fix. I, myself is an AMD zealot, but I cannot say that I am for AMd on this issue, rather, they did bullsh1t about it.

One thing about the Thermo diode on the AMD Palomino. Arent it is supposed to act itself rather than rely on the motherboard to 'monitor' it? I suspect it is all a joke for AMD to have thermo protections.