AMD K10 microprocessor family

AMD K10 family is the latest generation of AMD x86 microprocessors. The first nine microprocessors from this family, quad-core Third Generation Opterons, were introduced on September 10 2007. 2 months after that AMD released first desktop Phenom quad-core microprocessors, and the first triple-core Phenom X3 CPUs were released in March 2008. At this moment (March 2008) there are no budget or mobile families based on K10 micro-architecture.

K10 microprocessors include many performance improvements. The most important ones are listed below:

  • Support for up to 4 cores per CPU.
  • Level 3 cache shared between all cores.
  • Faster HyperTransport link.
  • Improved integrated memory controller which may be configured as dual-channel controller, or as two single channel controllers.
  • The width of AMD Floating Point unit was increased to 128 bits. When combined with other core improvements (ability to load two 128-bit values per cycle, faster instruction decoding) this allows the CPU to process up to two 128-bit SSE instructions per cycle.
  • Enhanced power management features. The CPU can dynamically adjust frequency of individual cores depending on their load, change voltage of integrated memory independently from core voltage of CPU cores, and includes other power-saving features.
  • Enhanced branch prediction and out-of order execution.

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Architecture
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At a glance
Introduction:
Sep 10, 2007
Frequency (MHz):
1700 - 3400
Bus width:
64 bit
L2 cache size (KB):
512 - 1024 (per core)
L3 cache size (MB):
2 - 6
Cores:
2, 3, 4 or 6
AMD Athlon II X2 250 - ADX250OCK23GQ (ADX250OCGQBOX)
Picture: gshv

AMD Athlon II X2 250 - ADX250OCK23GQ (ADX250OCGQBOX)

Athlon II X2 was the first family of mid-class / budget microprocessors branded "Athlon II". The family was launched in June 2009, 4 months after introduction of socket AM3 Phenom II X3 and X4 microprocessors. Athlon II X2 CPUs have two cores, and all basic K10 micro-architecture features, such as 128 KB L1 cache, 64-bit instruction set, SSE3 and SSE4a instructions, Cool'n'Quiet feature, and Virtualization technology. With the exception of model 215, all Athlon II X2s incorporate 1 MB L2 cache per core - this is twice larger than the size of level 2 cache (per core) in more expensive Phenom IIs. All Athlon II X2 CPUs don't have level 3 cache. Performance of Athlon II X2s is lower than performance of similarly clocked Phenom II X2 processors by less than 10% in office applications, and lower by up to 15% in memory-intensive applications. Athlon II X2 CPUs require socket AM3 motherboards, but may also work in socket AM2/AM2+ motherboards.

AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition - HD875ZWCJ3BGH (HD875ZWCGHBOX)
Picture: Neon

AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition - HD875ZWCJ3BGH (HD875ZWCGHBOX)

Phenom X3 family of triple-core microprocessors was introduced 4 months after release of Phenom X4 family. The X3 microprocessors are basically Phenom X4 CPUs with one core disabled. Having one fewer core, the performance of X3 processors falls behind the X4 CPUs in applications that heavily utilize all four cores (like 3D rendering and media encoders). In all other applications, including games, the triple-core Phenoms perform at the same level as quad-core processors. Phenom X3 CPUs are manufactured in the same 940-pin package as Phenom X4, and they work in both socket AM2 and AM2+ motherboards.

AMD Phenom X4 9850 - HD9850WCJ4BGH
Picture: kju135

AMD Phenom X4 9850 - HD9850WCJ4BGH

Phenom X4 was the first desktop family of microprocessors based on K10 microarchitecture. Initially branded as "Phenom" (without X4), the family was re-branded as "Phenom X4" when triple-core Phenom processors were released. Like older K8-based processors, all quad-core Phenoms have an integrated memory controller, one HyperTransport link and 128 KB level 1 cache per core. The size of level 2 cache on all CPUs is fixed to 512 KB (per core). All quad-core Phenoms also have new 2 MB level 3 cache shared between all cores. Phenom X4 processors are manufactured in 940-pin micro-PGA package and work in both socket AM2 and socket AM2+ motherboards.

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