Q:	What are the key features of the AMD Athlon™ XP processor 3200+?
A:	The key features of the AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ include: Advanced 400 front-side system bus to increase bandwidth 640KB full-speed, on-chip cache to enable smooth and responsive 3-D gaming performance QuantiSpeed™ architecture 3DNow!™ Professional technology


Q:	Why did AMD decide to increase the front-side bus frequency on the AMD Athlon XP processor from 333 FSB to 400 FSB?
A:	AMD is committed to offering the highest performance processors in the marketplace. As a result, AMD responded to customer requests for increased performance. We have determined that an FSB frequency increase will benefit our customers by improving data throughput to the processor, and thus increase performance across the broadest range of software applications. The advanced 400 FSB of the AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ increases maximum data throughput into and out of the processor by up to 20 percent over the previous 333 FSB. This can result in significant performance gains on all types of software, including office productivity, digital media and 3-D gaming. On a variety of industry-standard software benchmarks, the AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ outperforms competing desktop PC processors by an average of 6 percent.


Q:	Is the AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ for desktop PCs based on the “Barton” core?
A:	Yes. The AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ has a total cache of 640KB. Additionally, the core is based on AMD’s state-of-the-art 0.13-micron technology.


Q:	What does the 3200+ model mean?
A:	This is a model number. AMD identifies the AMD Athlon XP processor using model numbers, as opposed to megahertz. Model numbers are designed to communicate the relative application performance among the various AMD Athlon XP processors. As additional evidence that performance is not based on megahertz alone: the AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ operates at a frequency of 2.2GHz yet can outperform an Intel Pentium® 4 processor operating at 3.0GHz with an 800 FSB and HyperThreading on a broad array of real-world applications for office productivity, digital media and 3-D gaming.


Q:	Which chipsets support the 400 FSB? Motherboards?
A:	The AMD Athlon XP processor 3200+ has widespread support from our infrastructure partners. Chipsets are available from SIS, NVIDIA and VIA. Motherboards are available from a wide array of companies, including ASUS, MSI, Chaintech, Leadtek, ECS, Epox, ABIT, Aopen, FIC, Biostar and Soltek. Please see system components for a full list of recommended motherboards.


Q:	Where is the AMD Athlon XP processor manufactured? What process technology is used?
A:	The AMD Athlon XP processor is manufactured on AMD’s advanced 0.13-micron copper process technology at Fab 30 in Dresden, Germany.


Q:	What is QuantiSpeed™ architecture?
A:	QuantiSpeed architecture encompasses the AMD Athlon XP processor’s core architectural features and explains to end users how the AMD Athlon XP processor provides superior application performance. Specifically, QuantiSpeed architecture incorporates: Nine-issue, fully pipelined, superscalar micro-architecture Superscalar, fully pipelined floating point unit (FPU) Hardware data prefetch Exclusive & speculative Translation Look-aside Buffers (TLB)


Q:	What is hardware data prefetch?
A:	Hardware data prefetch anticipates data the processor will need based on the instruction stream executed, and brings it into high-speed, on-die cache memory where it can be accessed faster to boost application performance. It gets data before the processor needs it.


Q:	What are TLBs?
A:	Translation Look-aside Buffers (TLBs). The TLB structures in QuantiSpeed architecture keep the maps to critical data close to the processor. This is designed to prevent the processor from stalling or waiting when future data is requested. These TLB structures are now larger, exclusive between caches and speculative. Larger TLBs give the AMD Athlon XP processor access to additional data maps. The exclusive nature of these structures removes the duplication of information, freeing up more space in the Level 2 cache for other useful data to be used by the processor. The aspect of speculation allows the AMD Athlon XP processor to generate future maps of critical data quickly. These three enhancements to the TLB structures further increase the work completed per clock cycle, thus improving real-world application performance of the AMD Athlon XP processor.


Q:	What type of packaging does the AMD Athlon XP processor use? Is this package compatible with your existing Socket A infrastructure?
A:	The AMD Athlon XP processor uses OPGA, or organic pin grid array, packaging technology. The substrate used to make this packaging is fiberglass, similar to the material found in printed circuit boards. This packaging offers a better solution for performance processors by lowering the impedance and cost of the package, and is designed to be compatible with our existing Socket A infrastructure.