View Single Post
  #2  
Old September 14th 04, 06:07 AM
Michael Brown
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Reality wrote:
There is 1500 (2200+) and a 2000 (2800+) in the Sempron model 8 range.
There is 1500 (2200+) and a 2000 (2800+) in the Sempron model 10
range.

In these two AMD publications on page 21 (as numbered by AMD) of each
document they show a pair of 1500 (2200+) and a 2000 (2800+) models.

AMD Sempron Processor Model 8 Data Sheet
http://www.amd.com/us-
en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/31693.pdf

AMD Athlon Model 10 Processor with 256K L2 Cache Data Sheet
http://www.amd.com/us-
en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/31994.pdf

Why is this?

AFAIK both the model 8 and the model 10 Semprons are Socket A, 333
FSB with 256K L2 cache.


Correct. The Athlon model 8 (TBred) is manufacturered with only 256KB of L2
cache (how much a Sempron has). The Model 10 Athlon (Barton) is manufactured
with 512KB of L2 cache. These require more silicon so are more expensive to
manufacture. The Bartons that pass all the QC checks become the high-end
Athlon XPs, and the ones that pass all of them but have half the L2 cache
faulty get half their L2 disabled and used as 256KB Athlon XPs (sorry,
Semprons).

Basically:
[] Model 8 Sempron = TBred
[] Model 10 Sempron = Barton with half the L2 cache disabled (no, it's not
possible to re-enable it any more)

If you want to actually get a Sempron (not recommended) you want the Model
10's, because they overclock a bit better.

The Socket 754 Sempron is an Athlon64 (Newcastle?) with half the cache and
64-bit extensions disabled. It's a completely different beast to the
Socket-A Semprons, which are just Athlon XPs with a different name and a
higher model number (and hence a higher price).

--
Michael Brown
www.emboss.co.nz : OOS/RSI software and more
Add michael@ to emboss.co.nz - My inbox is always open