Understanding AMD CPUs

[AShadeOfClear]

I haven't been keeping up with cpu's since I built my AMD Tbird 1.33 system last year. Look at all these names - Athlon, Duron, Thunderbird, Palomino, MP, XP, Thoroughbred, Clawhammer, Sledgehammer, Operton. Can anyone explain these names , I haven't found a concise explanation anywhere.

 

[RSMemphis]

Athlon - main line of desktop CPUs. Contains original slot Athlon, Thunderbird, Palomino (XP), Thoroughbred (XP)
Duron - the el-cheapo line of CPUs, Spitfire and Morgan

Clawhammer, based on the new x86-64 line of processors, has the smallest amount of cache of all the Hammers, and will be released as Athlon as well.
Sledgehammer is the server version of the clawhammer, MP ready, and will be released as Opteron.

Barton is also on the roadmap, and is basically a Thoroughbred with more cache, and maybe some other feats.

Confused? I guess they want it that way.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: AShadeOfClear
I haven't been keeping up with cpu's since I built my AMD Tbird 1.33 system last year. Look at all these names - Athlon, Duron, Thunderbird, Palomino, MP, XP, Thoroughbred, Clawhammer, Sledgehammer, Operton. Can anyone explain these names , I haven't found a concise explanation anywhere.

Duron = AMD's current budget product
Athlon = AMD's current flagship product
Thunderbird = First socketed Athlon (codename)
Palomino = second generation, .18 micron, socket A Athlon (codename)
Thoroughbred = Third generation, .13 micron, socket A Athlon (codename)
XP - Current single CPU Athlon
MP - Current dual CPU Athlon
Clashammer / Sledgehammer = Upcoming AMD products, 64-bit (codenames)
Opteron = Upcoming AMD product, 64-bit, retail name

Thunderbirds, palominos, thoroughbreds, XP's, and MP's are all Athlons, just different versions.

Viper GTS

 

[BDawg]

Wasn't the Thunderbird a different revision from the original Athlon? IIRC, besides the Socket/Slot difference, the T-Birds performed better clock for clock than the original Athlons.

 

[RSMemphis]

Originally posted by: BDawg
Wasn't the Thunderbird a different revision from the original Athlon? IIRC, besides the Socket/Slot difference, the T-Birds performed better clock for clock than the original Athlons.

You are absolutely right.

On die cache with full processor speed, but less (Hmm 192kb instead of 512kb, I think).
That's why the Tbird fared better.

 

[Mavrick007]

-The first Athlon was the cpu to debut at 500mhz and was the start of AMD pulling ahead of Intel.
-They came out with the Duron which is their more affordable chip, like the celeron(with less cache).
-The next Athlon to come along has the Thunderbird core and it maxed out at 1.4Ghz.
-The next Athlon, released last year, was the Athlon XP and it has the Palomino core.
-It was released along with the Athlon MP which is to be used in a multi-processor system.
-As cores changed along the way, they incorporated into a new Duron but it's kept the same name (just different core name) and has increased in speed.
-The Thoroughbred is the newest release to the Athlon line but it's really only a faster Athlon XP based on the 0.13micron process. It debuted at 2200+ I believe.
-The Barton, which hasn't been released yet, is also going to be the next generation of the Athlon although the core is tbd and it will be on the 0.13micron process as well, but there is speculation as to if it will have the SOI process (Silicon on Insulator).
-The next generation which will be a complete redesign of the cpu will be released in the "Hammer" series and it is the first 64bit cpu out by AMD. They will release the Clawhammer first on the 0.13micron process in a desktop and server class processor (the DP), and then the Sledgehammer MP will be released as well.

 

[FatBurger]

Viper GTS gave the best explanation, but there are two things missing, IMO. Firstly is that the Palomino had some significant changes from Thunderbird. The entire core was rearranged, they switched from ceramic to organic packaging, and SSE was added.
Second is that Opteron is merely the name for SMP Hammers. There will be Sledgehammer Opterons as well as Clawhammer Opterons (which will be basically what the Athlon MP is today, in terms of where it fits in the market).