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AMD Phenom II X4 810: DDR3 vs. DDR2 |
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Written by Fedja Drndarski
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Monday, 09 February 2009 |
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Page 1 of 7  AMD introduced support for DDR1 memory with first models of K8 CPUs in 2003 when that memory standard was on it rise to the peek. Those K8 cores nicely used all advantages of DDR1 memory standard including low access time. Result of integration of memory controller into CPU core and utilization of DDR1 memory standard was drastic performance increase compared to existing Athlon XP (K7) CPUs. Memory access time has dropped from 100ns to 40ns while improvement in memory bandwidth was utilization of 90-95% of theoretically achievable 100%.
Thanks to these characteristics Athlon 64 Socket 754, and later 939, had in average 20-30% better performances in games compared to previous generation of AMD CPUs. At the same time NetBurst architecture (Pentium 4) that operated on significantly higher frequencies offered much lower performances in most applications. Even then advantages of SOC (System On Chip) architecture were obvious.
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Gigabyte DDR3 arrived first!
Gigabyte made an effort and presented to us their AM3 solution although this is no surprise when we take tight bonds between Gigabyte and AMD into account. GA MA790FXT-UD5P is top quality motherboard that supports CrossFire, 10 SATA ports and 2 e-SATA ports that will be put to good use by all of you “storage maniacs” out there. Power filtration unit is “best-in-class” and it is consisted of 10 MOSFETs (Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) that are dynamically powered on depending on load. Cooling solution used for chipset and power unit is consisted of one heat-pipe cooler that does its job very nicely. This motherboard also has additional Power and Reset buttons along side with Clear CMOS that can be very useful to overclockers. Motherboard is based on already proven AMD 790FX chipset that is combined with SB750 south bridge. |
Sadly, after AMD started with integration of memory controller into CPU, period of transition to newer memory standards become painful spot for this manufacturer. If we reflect on transition from DDR1 to DDR2 memory standard and problems with Socket AM2 platform and its bad performances, we can realize that transition to new memory standards can be painful experience for manufacturers. Socket AM2 CPUs that supported DDR2 memory weren’t compatible with older Socket 939 so transition to DDR2 memory standard demanded purchase of new motherboard, CPU and memory (obviously). If we add to all those problems controversial performances of immature AM2 platform simple conclusion, from the end-users perspective, was that it is not that profitable upgrade, because owners of good Socket 939 system would end up with system that has almost same performances.
On the other side first AMD dual-core CPUs, that actually appeared for the first time on Socket 939 platform, were a very rare bird in those days so a lot of users that needed dual-core CPU platform went for more efficient Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs. AMD tried to hold a piece of market share with lower prices for pricey 90nm F2 and F3 Athlon X2. In that fight for users and constant need for balance between price, market share and lower profit rate, users profited the most, and the biggest loser was AMD. With introduction of Phenom CPU that could work on almost any AM2 motherboard, AMD saw the light at the end of the tunnel but the end of suffering wasn’t over. When Phenom CPU appeared on the market AM2 platform was mature with all teething problems eliminated: BIOS was on most motherboards flawless and performances of F3 revision of X2 CPU were significantly better than Athlon X2 FX60 on Socket 939 platform (mainly because of higher frequencies – 3.2GHz for F3 against 2.6GHz for FX60). Besides, when first Phenom CPUs saw the light of the day, old Socket 939 platform was forgotten and no one was interested in performances of old platform when we had new AM2.
Newest K10 core was from start designed to support DDR3 memory standard, but from unknown reasons (to us) AMD decided to disable that support for 65nm revisions of this CPU. Even first Deneb 45nm cores had disabled support for DDR3 memory. Deneb cores that have DDR3 support are the same C2 revision that initially appeared on Socket AM2/AM2+. Same mistake with transition to new memory standard AMD didn’t want to repeat so new AM3 CPUs are backwards compatible with AM2/AM2+ motherboards. If you have old AM2 motherboard that supports Phenom CPUs, new Phenom X4 810, X3 720 or any other AM3 CPUs can be plugged in and everything will work flawlessly with “good old” DDR2 memory that you already have.
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Processors 
