I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:

Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?

If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future compatible ?

Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a Venice core
(= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?

Michael

On Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:56:22 +0000, Michael Hertz wrote:

> I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?
>
No. 939 is discontinued.

> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future
> compatible ?
>
AM2 uses DDR2 memory is the main difference.

> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a
> Venice core (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?
>
No. There are different and newer cores.

http://www.amdcompare.com

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See answers inline...

"Michael Hertz" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:45a293d5$0$27624$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?
No. Two different sockets, non-interchangeable. Socket 939 (and 754, to make
things more interesting) use DDR memory, Socket AM2 uses DDR2 memory. That
said, there *may* be a motherboard that uses Socket AM2, but also has DDR
memory slots. Check Asrock offerings.
>
> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future
> compatible ?
As to which is "better", opinions vary. AM2 is the latest, and therefore,
more "future compatible". I believe AMD has ceased manufacture of Socket 939
CPU's
>
> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a
> Venice core
> (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?
No. There are several different cores. check the AMD web site for more info.
>
> Michael
>

On Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:56:22 +0000, Michael Hertz wrote:

> I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?
>
> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future compatible ?
>
> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a Venice core
> (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?
>
> Michael

They aren't the same. AM2 is the new socket, it supports DDR2 RAM, 939 is
the old socket, it supported DDR RAM. They aren't making 939 parts
anymore, only AM2s. The 939 parts that are in the channel are old stock.
For any new system you want an AM2.

Michael Hertz wrote:
> I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?

No. The AM2-socket is the newest of the two. AM2-socket is used for CPUs
that use DDR2-ram instead of regular DDR. They are not interchangeable.

>
> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future
> compatible ?

socket AM2 is probably dead before you are finished with your socket 939
cpu, if you choose to buy one of those. Not many socket 939 cpus available.
The same speed grade cpu will perform similarly if it is designed to use
DDR2(socket am2) or DDR (socket 939), so you are free to choose.

>
> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have
> a Venice core (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?

can't help you with that.

On Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:56:22 +0000, Michael Hertz wrote:

> I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:

Who isn't.

> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?

No. The AM2 socket has 940 pins, but is not a Socket 940, which is
designed for AMD Opterons. Although, both CPUs come in other sockets as
well.

> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future compatible ?

Go to http://www.amd.com/ Their information database will answer all
your questions. Well, most anyway. The most important difference is that
the AM2 Athlon 64 takes the faster (up to 10.6 GB/sec) DDR2 RAM, while
the Socket 939 CPU use DDR RAM (up to 6.4 GB/sec).

> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a Venice core
> (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?

No, they don't. My Athlon 64 3200+, which I just bought a week ago, is
identified as "Orleans" and is rated at 62 watts. It fits the AM2 socket.
Venice Athlon 64 fit sockets 939 and 754.

Stef

"Michael Hertz" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:45a293d5$0$27624$(E-Mail Removed)
> I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?

No. Sockets are the things the CPU plugs into on the motherboard and they
can have different sizes and number of pins. Socket 939 has 939 pins, AM2
has 940 pins (although it's not the same as AMDs socket 940 which also has
940 pins).

> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future
> compatible ?

AMD put both the CPU itself and the memory controller on their CPU dies.
This differs from Intel which keeps the CPU and memory controller separate.

When AMD made the switch from supporting DDR RAM to DDR2 RAM they changed
the memory controller but not the CPU architecture. That's why you can
have, for example, a socket 939 X2 4600 (DDR) and a socket AM2 X2 4600
(DDR2). There is little noticeable performance difference between them.

AM2 is AMD's current socket for desktop PCs. They are planning on releasing
the successor to AM2, AM3, early this year. AM3s will fit in AM2 sockets
but incorporate CPU improvements.

> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have
> a Venice core (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?

No, although these days it would be uncommon to find a Winchester or
Newcastle core on the shelves. Because AMD don't distinguish cores in their
product codes you need to rely on the retailer to do that. If in doubt ask
the retailer to confirm the core.

On 08 Jan 2007 18:56:22 GMT, (E-Mail Removed) (Michael Hertz) wrote:

>I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
>Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?
No, different socket & not interchangeable
>
>If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future compatible ?
939 is on way out, so AM2 probably way to go
>
>Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a Venice core
>(= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?
Cant answer that one, I dont know
>
>Michael

Michael Hertz wrote:
> I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?
>
> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future compatible ?
>
> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a Venice core
> (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?
>
> Michael

AM2 is completely different. AM2 requires DDR2 memory, and is NOT
compatible with the DDR memory used with Socket 939 processors.

939 is dying. AM2 is definitely the way to go for the future. Socket
AM2 also has lower-power, more energy efficient processors available.

Not all Athlon 64 CPUs have Venice cores. You have some Socket 754
Winchester cores, etc. Look carefully before you buy.

"Michael Hertz" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:45a293d5$0$27624$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am a bit confused about the AMD naming:
>
> Is the socket AM2 (for Athlon 64 CPUs) the same as Socket 939 ?
>
> If not: What are the differences / which is better resp. more future
> compatible ?
>
> Do Athlon 64 CPUs with the labels 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+ ALWAYS have a
> Venice core
> (= a core with low (67 Watt) power consumption) ?
>
> Michael
>

Probably the biggest difference between 939 and AM2 is that 939 uses DDR ram
and AM2 uses DDR2. Socket 939 processors are also no longer manufactured by
AMD. They have stopped production of this socket and are focusing on their
AM2 socket. Even socket 754's days are numbered. If you have a 939
motherboard, get a processor upgrade now because stocks will be running out.


Glenbo