Shopping Resources
Shop AMD United States
Shop AMD Canada
Shop ATI
Technology
AMD64 Solutions
Multi-Core
Systems Management
Computing Platforms
Desktop for Home
Notebook for Home
Desktop for Business
Notebook for Business
Products
AMD Opteron™
Server
Workstation
AMD Turion™
AMD Phenom™
AMD Athlon™
AMD Sempron™
AMD Chipsets
Processor-In-a-Box
Articles & Reviews
Older Products
Processor Pricing
Packaging and Development
Packaging Technology
ROHS Compliance
Resources for:
Channel Partners
Software Developers
Software Partners
Ask AMD Knowledgebase
Processor Support Forums

Server
Shop AMD United States
Shop ATI
Partners
AMD Opteron™ Related Links
Press Releases
Partner Press Releases
Awards
Power Day Event
Success Stories
AMD Processor Support Forum

Second-Generation AMD Opteron™ Processor Key Architectural Features

Second-Generation AMD Opteron™ processors add important new features like quad-core upgradeability, AMD Virtualization™ (AMD-V™), and energy-efficient DDR2 memory to the proven technologies introduced in 2003 with first-generation AMD Opteron processors.

AMD64 technology
  • Runs existing installed base of 32-bit applications and operating systems at peak performance, while providing a 64-bit capable migration path
  • Designed to enable 64-bit computing while remaining compatible with the vast x86 software infrastructure
  • Enables a single architecture across 32- and 64-bit environments

Direct Connect Architecture
  • AMD’s revolutionary Direct Connect Architecture helps eliminate the bottlenecks inherent in traditional front-side bus architectures
  • Direct Connect Architecture connects the processors, integrated memory controller, and I/O directly to the CPU and communicates at CPU speed
  • HyperTransport™ technology provides a scalable bandwidth interconnect between processors, I/O subsystems, and other chipsets, with up to three coherent HyperTransport technology links providing up to 24.0 GB/s peak bandwidth per processor
  • Integrated Memory Controller - Integrated on-die DDR2 DRAM memory controller offers available memory bandwidth up to 10.7 GB/s (with DDR2-667) per processor
Quad-Core Upgradeability
  • AMD Opteron™ processors with DDR2 memory are designed to offer a seamless upgrade path from dual-core to quad-core when they are available in 2007 in the same thermal envelope to help leverage existing investments
  • Offers a significant performance improvement while maintaining the same platform at the same power efficiency

AMD Virtualization™ (AMD-V™)
  • Hardware assisted AMD Virtualization™ and Direct Connect Architecture provide a balanced approach to help improve virtualization performance, enabling more virtual machines to run per server
  • AMD-V™ reduces overhead by selectively intercepting instructions destined for guest environments
  • Direct Connect Architecture helps guests run at near native speed
  • Virtualization-aware integrated memory controller provides efficient isolation of virtual machine memory

Enhanced Performance-per-Watt
  • Energy-efficient DDR2 memory uses up to 30% less power than DDR1 and up to 58% less power than FBDIMM
  • AMD PowerNow!™ technology with Optimized Power Management can deliver performance on demand while minimizing power consumption
  • Consistent standard power roadmap with low-power options
  • DDR2 platforms can upgrade to Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processors when they are available in 2007 within existing thermal bands for significantly better performance-per-watt

Learn more about Second-Generation AMD Opteron™ processors

Features and Benefits: Performance: Product Information: All AMD Opteron™ Processor Product Information


©2008 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.    |    Contact AMD    |    Terms and Conditions    |    Privacy    |    Trademark information    |    Site Map