:DUAL CORE PROCESSOR:

[tolstoi]

---

Backwards Compatibility

Intel's dual core Pentium D and Extreme Edition won't work in any previous motherboards, but as we mentioned at the start of this article, AMD has more bang. Here, the additional bang comes from the almost 100% backwards compatibility with single-core motherboards. We say "almost" because it's not totally perfect; here's the breakdown:

- On the desktop, the Athlon 64 X2 series is fully compatible with all Socket-939 motherboards. All you need is a BIOS update and you're good to go.

- For workstations/servers, if you have a motherboard that supports the 90nm Opterons, then all you need is a BIOS update for dual core Opteron support. If the motherboard does not support 90nm Opterons then you are, unfortunately, out of luck.

For desktop users, the ability to upgrade your current Socket-939 motherboards to support dual core in the future is a huge offer from AMD. While it may not please motherboard manufacturers to lengthen upgrade cycles like this, we have never seen a CPU manufacturer take care of their users like this before. Even during the Socket-A days when you didn't have to upgrade your motherboard, most users still did because of better chipsets. AMD's architectural decisions have made those days obsolete. The next generation of dual core processors will most likely need a new motherboard, but rest assured that you have a solid upgrade path if you have recently invested in a new Socket-939 desktop system or Socket-940.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2397&p=2

[tolstoi]

<img src="http://img245.echo.cx/img245/3189/athlon64x2logo6vq.jpg">

[guilliam]

ayos! times "2"!

[gregggy_ph]

...twice the punch!....in your face...hehe

[K|D]

Take note though that the amd x2's are more suited for multitasking or running multiple applications at once... The FX's are still the best gaming processors according to the AMD people...

[tolstoi]

A total of four dual core desktop processors, collectively named the Athlon 64 X2, will be officially released at May 31 (Intel has three Pentium D models, plus the Extreme Edition). Two X2 models will be based on the Manchester dual core with 512 kB L2 cache per core; two additional versions will make use of the Toledo design with 1 MB L2 cache per logical unit.

While the mainstream Manchester models will fit within a thermal envelope of 95 Watts, the higher performing versions will require a maximum of 110 Watts, which should be easily provided by any motherboard capable of handling an Athlon 64 FX 55. While these numbers represent a bold requirement, we should not forget that Intel's top model reaches a whopping 130 Watts at 3.2 GHz, and its average power consumption is somewhat higher, too. Interesting is the "tie" with respect to the power consumed at the mainstream level, as both competitors are head to head at 95 Watts.

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050509/index.html

<img src="http://img208.echo.cx/img208/6249/amd5by.jpg">

[EarlZ]

but when games start to be coded for dual processors or more... its a different story.. but game companies wont just make a code for 10 people to enjoy.. kansi sa cost of coding

[tolstoi]

as of now they are positioning X2 in the digital media segments..and yup when the games segment will be coded for dual cores then its a different story...

[tolstoi]

<img src="http://img156.echo.cx/img156/7363/x2bench2gf.jpg">

[smallspyda]

I hope they will make dual-dual core MoBo's....this will certainly beat dual xeon machines.
StudioMax users would love to have AMD 64 X2 in their machines.
Finally, an AMD product for multi-threaded apps.