Socket M2 is dead, long live AM2!

[Alpine]

AMD IS preparing for a shift towards DDR-II memory, while still keeping the production of Socket 939 processors "according to demand". A new Socket has 940 pins, but it isn't compatible with existing Socket 940 solutions (no suprise there).



However, the name of new Socket won't be known as "Socket 940 Second Coming" or long-time mentioned "Socket M2", which resided in every roadmap of AMD CPU's for next year. New name is Socket AM2, and we have learned that AMD will introduce not just new models, but will release Socket AM2 versions of egzisting CPU's as well. We have come into a possesion of a roadmap which contains products that are part of AM2 ramp-up.

New Socket AM2 is being occupied by three cores: Manilla, Orelans and Windsor. Manilla is the codename for new Sempr0ns, Orleans is the name for single-core AM2 offerings, while cream of the crop, dual-cores will come under the Windsor name.

Following products should be launched in second quarter of next year, alongside Socket AM2:

Windsor

AMD Athlon 64 FX-62

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+

Orleans

AMD Athlon 64 4000+

AMD Athlon 64 3800+

AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Manilla

Sempr0n 3600+

Sempr0n 3500+

Sempr0n 3400+

Sempr0n 3200+

Sempr0n 3000+ As you can see from the list, all the hell will broke loose in the Sempr0n range, with 100 PR mark differentiation between upper models. All of the Sempr0ns are 64-bit capable and feature new security technologies, while virtualization technology is of course, reserved for dual-core CPUs. Lack of current entry-level favourite, the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ will be replaced with a equally priced and similary clocked 4200+. Also, we have learned that FX-62 should have 67 MHz higher clock to upcoming FX-60, e.g. 2.67 GHz clock speed - since AMD is changing the base of HTT from "200" to "333".

The INQuirer