| Q: | What are the main differences between Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors and first-generation AMD Opteron processors? What are the end-user benefits?
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| A: | Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors offer several significant enhancements over previous versions, including platforms designed for upgradeability to quad-core, AMD Virtualization™, and DDR2 memory support.
We believe these features enhance the performance-per-watt and overall business capabilities of AMD Opteron processors, while leveraging the same proven technologies available since April 2003 with first-generation AMD Opteron processors.
End user benefits can include:
- Reduced total cost of ownership
- A more flexible IT environment
- Improved performance-per-watt and performance-per-dollar
Reduction of TCO is driven by the use of low-power DDR2 memory (which may also offer cost benefits over FBDIMM) and by the implementation of our AMD64 common core strategy across 1-socket, 2-socket and 4-socket platforms, which can help reduce support costs.
AMD Virtualization can benefit IT flexibility by supporting more applications on a single system or by supporting legacy applications on modern hardware.
In addition to the benefit of lower-power memory use, by enabling a quad-core upgrade path in DDR2 platforms, we enable our customers to increase the longevity of their hardware investments with significant planned performance-per-watt system upgrade capabilities.
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| Q: | What does “native” multi-core architecture mean?
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| A: | Dual-Core AMD Opteron processors feature a “native” multi-core design where the cores are on one piece of silicon versus other solutions which piece two die together into a single package.
All AMD Opteron processors feature AMD’s revolutionary Direct Connect Architecture, which can improve overall system performance and efficiency by reducing the bottlenecks inherent in legacy architectures.
Legacy front-side buses restrict the flow of data. Slower data flow can mean slower system performance and reduced system scalability. With Direct Connect Architecture, there are no front-side buses.
Instead, the processors, memory controllers and I/O are directly connected to each CPU. |
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| Q: | What does HE stand for?
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| A: | HE stands for “Highly Efficient” processing for servers and workstations and is used to reference our lower wattage processors. |
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| Q: | Explain AMD’s model numbering conventions for AMD Opteron processors. At what frequency are Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors?
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| A: | AMD Opteron processors are described by a four-digit model number.
The first number indicates the maximum scalability of the processor:
- AMD Opteron 1000 Series processors can be used in one-way servers and workstations
- AMD Opteron 2000 Series processors can be used in two-way servers and workstations
- AMD Opteron 8000 Series processors can be used in up to eight-way servers and workstations
The second digit indicates the processor generation; 2 is for second-generation AMD64, and all Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors are Dual-Core.
Third and fourth digits indicate relative performance within the generation.
Read a complete explanation of AMD’s model number taxonomy.
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| Q: | What are the prices of the latest AMD Opteron processor models?
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| A: | Please see AMD processor pricing for a complete listing of prices for AMD Opteron processors. |
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| Q: | What chipset support is available for Second-Generation AMD Opteron processor models?
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| A: | AMD Opteron processors are supported by chipsets designed to the open HyperTransport™ technology standard. AMD, Broadcom, and nVidia are the primary chipset providers for the server and workstation market. |
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| Q: | What operating systems are currently supported by AMD Opteron processors?
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| A: | Our processors are designed to be compatible with all x86 operating systems. AMD processors are compatible with more than 120 operating system versions, including 64-bit versions from Microsoft, Novell, Red Hat and Solaris.
View a list of operating systems and applications that support AMD64 processors.
Customers and end users face thermal and environmental challenges with today’s computing platforms. AMD64 dual-core technology is designed to deliver balanced solutions to address computing demands within a given power envelope.
Multi-core processors help to break through single-core performance limitations and provide the performance capacity to tackle tomorrow’s more advanced software.
All Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors with DDR2 are designed to be upgradeable to AMD’s native Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors.
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| Q: | What are the implications for software vendors? How do software vendors license applications for AMD’s dual-core technology?
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| A: | AMD has established itself as an industry leader for x86 multi-core computing and while we expect software vendors to follow their established licensing practices, AMD strongly recommends that software developers license on a per-processor basis.
This means that users would purchase one software license per processor, no matter whether the processor has a single core or dual cores. AMD believes this customer-centric licensing approach will help facilitate the broad adoption of multi-core technology, enabling users to easily and economically migrate to multi-core computing.
Software industry leaders Microsoft, Novell, Red Hat and Sun have all announced plans for this licensing method. |
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| Q: | Are these processors available through the AMD Validated Server Program?
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| A: | Yes, the AMD Validated Server Program offers systems based on Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors.
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