• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Difference between socket 754 and 939

A

ahock

Member
Guys whats the difference between AMD's scket 754 prcessr and socket 939? Likewise for Intel's 775 and 478?
 
185 pins.

Socket 939 is supposedly more future-proof and dual core *should* be a drop-in replacement in socket 939 boards with appropriate BIOS updates. Supposedly they won't be making the top chips for Socket 754 anymore (I'm not sure if there is a 4000+ for S754, for example).

Socket 754 seems to have a lot more longevity than originally planned though, and S754 boards are cheaper than 939. Also Nforce 4 is going to have a socket 754 incarnation as well (albeit with fewer features, like no Serial ATA II as far as I know).

On the Intel side it's more clear cut: Socket 478 is the old chipset (came out a couple years ago). Socket 775 is the new one and all new intel chipsets support Socket 775 only; Prescott chips max out at 3.4E I believe on Socket 478 while the 775 is up 3.8E and supposedly Intel's dual core will work as a drop-in replacement on Socket 775 boards as well (definately no dual core or new CPU's for Socket 478).
 
The difference between s754 and s939 is that s939 has about as many motherboards out to purchase as I do fingers on my hands 😀

*Edit*
Alright, I'll be serious now.
s754 boards are single channel, while s939 boards support dual channel memory configs.
You'll see a 2-5% performance increase because of this.
That's pretty much it.
 
Hey guys thanks. Another thing can you elaborate more on the differences of single channel and dual channel memory? I've heard that AMD processor do have some compatibility issue on the memory??? Why is it that we need a different socket motherboard if I want a dual DDR??? Intel processor as far as I know dont have any issues on memory?
 
Dual channel has twice the theoretically memory bandwidth as single channel memory, that's the difference.
 
The memory issues with AMD has to do with the ondie mem controller...

the reason why intel may not have as many issues is because they do not have an ondie mem controller but a northbridge which works with the cpu and mem.

in general most mem is compatible with most AMD a64 processors but the stability seems to vary from board to board manufacturer... weird
 
yeah I heard about this that AMD is having a problem with memory compatibility. I've seen some web site that they have to recommend a certain memory manufacturer to guarantee the stability. Question again does Intel do have any issue with memory whether it be a single channel or dual?????
 
yeah I heard about this that AMD is having a problem with memory compatibility. I've seen some web site that they have to recommend a certain memory manufacturer to guarantee the stability. Question again does Intel do have any issue with memory whether it be a single channel or dual?????
 
Yeah, you posted that to me last week...gotta love the chart. anyway, AMD's official stance is that 939 is the way future technology is going, so if you've got the cash, go for it. 
 
I think AMD needs to revisit this.... Their integrated memory controller design is great but it also makes the life of motherboad shorter. Likewise, its very hard for consumer to differentiate the board socket. Right now they have 4 available socket available compare to 2 in Intel. This really confuses a lot of the end users.
 
Originally posted by: kcbass
why does the memory controller shorten the motherboard life?
Click to expand...

I would imagine having an on-die memory controller would reduce extraneous traces, chips and other parts, thus lengthening the lifespan of the motherboard.
 
ahock, Its not like Intel products have never had memory compatibility problems (people just seem to forget Intel ever had a problem once it has been fixed).

When the 865 and 875 Intel chipsets where new they had plenty of compatibility problems (Finicky at DDR400) in fact Anandtech did an article called 865PE & 875P Memory Guide just because of these problems. Once these new chipsets had been out for awhile and recieved BIOS updates most of those teething pains disappeared (I think the same can be said for most of the AMD problems also).

I also don't see how the integrated memory controller affects a motherboards life, install a new processor and you get an updated memory controller. In theory it should extend the motherboards life, in reality I don't think it makes much of a difference.

One other thing, Intel supports more than 2 sockets, if you are going to include AMDs server line (socket 940 for Opteron) then you need to (at least) include Intels current server line (socket 604 for Xeon). There are also speciality boards (I believe there called socket 479) for the Pentium M chips, and socket 370 boards are still available for Intel, its only as confusing as you want to make it.
 
Thanks Justly;

What I meant by confusing motherboard is on the retail side. OEM boards/processor are easy to explain but if your dealing with retail costumer or boxed processor... This lies the problem... For example its easy to explain to costumer about their choices for Intel processor... Its starightforward. Socket 775 is the new one which if you want a 64-bit Pentium, this will be your choice. Socket 478 is the old one but it is nearing its end of life. The time span of these boards changes are not that close compared to AMD. For AMD there are 4 or 3 I think that are being marketed today.... The main problem is the difficulty to explain the differences. socket A is for Athlon XP Duron, Socket 754 for single channel memory, socket 939 dual channel plus there is the 940..... for Athlon 64.... Costumer who hears this will surely not opt to AMD anymore specially those who are not incline in technology. This is what I meant which AMD should simplify.
 
but consumers buy from OEM manufacturers (HP, Compaq, etc)

they dont care what kind of socket it is (some dont even know)

Socket A or 462 is for Athlon XPs and Semprons

Socket 754 is for 1MB L2 Cache 64s with Single Channel Memory

Socket 939 is for 512KB L2 Cache 64s with Dual Channel Memory

Socket 940 is for Opterons

its not that hard
 
Originally posted by: Amol
but consumers buy from OEM manufacturers (HP, Compaq, etc)

they dont care what kind of socket it is (some dont even know)

Socket A or 462 is for Athlon XPs and Semprons

Socket 754 is for 1MB L2 Cache 64s with Single Channel Memory

Socket 939 is for 512KB L2 Cache 64s with Dual Channel Memory

Socket 940 is for Opterons

its not that hard
Click to expand...
Slight correction, both socket 754 & 939 have 512KB & 1MB of L2 cache.

 
Originally posted by: kcbass
why does the memory controller shorten the motherboard life?
Click to expand...
When you upgrade the CPU with a built-in memory controller that supports a new memory type [only], the motherboard must be upgraded as well in order to support the new memory stick(s). In this case, from DDR to DDR-2 - they don't use the same pin configuration. Luckily that won't happen for awhile.
 
When he mentioned upgrade of memory i guess he meant added support for say DDR533 not as such DDR2 or any other completely different design

However inthe past we have seen EDO ram on Fastpage sticks and SDRAM chips on EDO sticks

Its a matter of time/possibilty before some smartalleck at the Hynix or Kingston figures a way to put DDR2 chips on DDR sticks into Athlon 939 systems (requires new CPU)

Never say never to anything
 
futureproof, more pins, dual channel, but no noticeable performance increase i went from a neo 754 to neo2 939 both w/ 3200+ and didnt see any performance difference maybe a few points in 3d mark max
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top