Athlon 64

The Athlon 64 (codenamed "ClawHammer") represents AMD's entry into the consumer 64-bit microprocessor market. This processor is based upon the AMD64 architecture.

There are two variants: Athlon 64 and Athlon 64-FX. The Athlon 64-FX is more similar to the Opteron and more powerful than the standard Athlon 64. As an implementation of the AMD64 architecture, the Athlon 64 is able to run 32 bit x86, 16 bit, and AMD64 assembly code

Athlon 64 also features CPU speed throttling technology branded Cool 'n' Quiet. When the user is running undemanding applications and the load on the processor is light, the processor's clock speed and voltage are reduced. This in turn reduces its peak power consumption from 89W to as low as 32W (C0 revision, clock speed reduced to 800 MHz) or 22W (CG revision, clock speed reduced to 1 GHz).

As an implementation of the AMD64 architecture, the Athlon 64 features an on-die memory controller and other architectural enhancements that give it greater performance at the same clock speed over the previous Athlon and Athlon XP generation, even when running legacy 32-bit code. AMD has chosen to market the Athlon 64 using a PR rating to represent performance.

Sockets

• 754: The Athlon 64 value/budget line, these feature only one memory controller
• 939: Athlon 64 proformance line and newer Athlon 64 FXs, these features two memory controllers
• 940: Opteron and old Athlon 64 FX, these requries higher cost buffered memory modules

See also

• NX (available in Athlon 64 processors)