AMD's 3.6 Ghz and 6 core Desktop Proc.'s

AMD was first to come out with a processor that runs at 3.4 standard setting. Now they're coming out with one that runs at 3.6 Ghz standard sometime in the first quarter of this year. The new 3.6 processor will run at 140 watts with 6 MB L3 cache, and it's multiplier set to 18X on a 200 Mhz multiplier setting. It is built on a 45nm manufacturing process.

AMD's six core "Thuban" will run at 2.8 Ghz and have Six cores. This also runs at 140 watts and has 6MB of L3 cache, it will release the second quater of 2010. This processor could be 2 quad cores stuck together on the same chip, just with 2 cores disabled. If this is the case, you may be able to unlock 2 cores and have an OCTO-CORE PROCESSOR! This isn't likely, but it could happen. Both processors will be "Black Edition" and be easily overclockable.

The Socket Delema

Cpu sockets are getting so confusing and complicated, let me work out all the kinks for you and help you understand what works with what.

AMD now had 3 sockets on the market, Am2, Am2+, and Am3. There are also motherboards with the following sockets: Am2/Am2+/Am3, Am2/Am2+, and Am2/Am2+/Am3. Wow that's confusing. Now, Am2 will work on Am2, Am2+, and Am2/Am2+ motherboards. Currently, Am3 cpu's will work on Am2/Am2+/Am3 boards and Am3 boards. Am3's will not work on Am2's and vice versa. Manufacturers are also coming out with Am2+ boards that advertise "Am3 Ready!" This means that if you buy the board, you can update Bios and use it with Am3 processors, although the processor will run a little slower due to hyper transports.

Phew... Now that we got the AMD sockets out of the way, let's move onto something more simple, Intel sockets. In use on the desktop market are LGA755, LGA1156, and LGA 1366. Each socket is only compatible with it's corrisponding socket. How simple. Although, very, very bad for upgrading compatibility.

When you purchase an AMD system, you can be a little sure that when you upgrade, you won't have to buy a new cpu or motherboard. Unless of course if it's from Am2 to Am3.

There you are, motherboard sockets in a nutshell. More will become available from the Fox's Tech Source soon. If you know anything that can add to this, please post a comment.