Is 65 watts and 65 nm form factor the same thing in an Athlon X2 processor?

[HGC]

The AMD dual core processors listed at NewEgg are sometimes highlighted as being 65 watt versions. Others make no mention of watts, but talk about 65 or 90 nm form factor. Can you have a 65 nm size processor that pulls 90 , not 65, watts? Or are these just two ways of saying the same thing.

I want to buy one that will bethe easiest on my electric bill. Thanks

 

[imported_shader]

65nm and 65 watts are two completly different things. 65 nm refers to the photolithographic process to create the chips. if you are looking for energy efficiency, go for the chip with the lowest watt rating.

(side note - i was going to say that the fabrication process does not in any way relate to the amount of energy, however given my limited understanding of electrical engineering, that may be misleading - i'm comp sci.)

 

[o1die]

Newegg has the 45w 2350 am2 in stock for about $90. Not the fastest, but should overclock some.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: shader
65nm and 65 watts are two completly different things. 65 nm refers to the photolithographic process to create the chips. if you are looking for energy efficiency, go for the chip with the lowest watt rating.

(side note - i was going to say that the fabrication process does not in any way relate to the amount of energy, however given my limited understanding of electrical engineering, that may be misleading - i'm comp sci.)

Well, a smaller fabrication process almost always means lower power consumption, with chips of the same architecture. A 65nm X2 will generate less power than a 90nm chip. There are 90nm chips that draw less power than the 65nm chips, but these are special models with fairly low clockspeeds and reduced voltage, which makes them use less power.

65nm does not, however, mean 65 watts. 90nm does not mean 90 watts. They are completely different things. Intel's QX6800 is 65nm, for example, and draws 125W. AMD's extreme low power chips (not sure if they even sell them anymore) are 90nm and draw 35W.

 

[jhtrico1850]

A 65W 90nm chip runs cooler than an 89W 65nm chip (assuming equivalent clock speed)

 

[HGC]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[lyssword]

amd athlon 5200+ is a 90nm runs 2.6ghz It runs 65 w http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103767 because of low voltage.