|
| |
Explaining
DDR
About DDR
With a commitment to drive innovation and new
technology into the marketplace, AMD and its partners
continue to take advantage of the next evolutionary step
in memory technology, Double Data Rate (DDR) memory.
With the introduction of the AMD-760™ chipset, the first
commercially available chipset supporting DDR memory
technology, AMD is revolutionizing the way desktop PCs
perform. Specifically designing the memory and processor
to work together to give you unrivaled PC performance.
What is DDR SDRAM
Memory?
DDR memory, or Double Data Rate memory,
is an evolutionary new memory technology that doubles
data throughput to the processor, which can effectively
increase the speed of SDRAM memory up to 100% faster.
Popularized in the PC industry as an alternative memory
for high-end video cards, Double Data Rate SDRAM memory
reads and writes two times per clock cycle as opposed to
previous generation SDRAM memory which reads and writes
only once per clock cycle. As an evolution of today's
PC133 SDRAM, DDR memory leverages the existing
production environment to provide unrivaled PC
performance at an affordable price.
DDR memory is available in several
sizes (64, 128, 256, and 512MB DIMMs), and has quickly
gained broad support from some of the largest memory
manufacturers. This support is due to DDR memory being
an evolution of the current memory standard, SDRAM, and
thus it is very similar in cost to manufacture while
offering revolutionary performance gains.
DDR memory comes in two different
types. The first type is PC1600 DDR memory, which uses a
200MHz bus and provides a peak data transfer rate of
1.6GB per second. The second type is PC2100 DDR memory,
which uses a 266MHz bus and provides a peak data
transfer rate of more than 2.1GB per second.
Presently DDR SDRAM memory is
being produced by leading memory manufacturers including
Hyundai, Infineon, Micron, NEC, and Samsung.
DDR Memory and
the AMD Athlon™ Processor.....unmatched performance
The AMD Athlon™ processor is the first PC processor
to support systems using DDR memory technology. What's
more, when paired with DDR memory technology, AMD Athlon
processor-based systems provide a clear advantage for
your customers in terms of overall PC performance . Read
below for some of the features and benefits of this
powerful combination.
| AMD Athlon™
Processor Supporting DDR Memory Technology
Chart |
Available
Clock Speeds
1333MHz, 1300MHz, 1200MHz,
1133MHz, 1100MHz, 1000MHz, 950MHz, 900MHz |
The high clock speeds of
the AMD Athlon™ processor provide increased
performance and overall productivity by running
and executing programs faster. |
Enhanced
System Bus
266MHz (1333MHz, 1200MHz,
1133MHz , 1000MHz)200MHz (1300MHz, 1200MHz,
1100MHz, 1000MHz, 950MHz, 900MHz) |
The enhanced system bus
of the AMD Athlon processor dramatically improves
the transfer of information between processor,
memory, and other system components, making
software applications run smoother and
faster. |
DDR Memory
Support*
Compatible with PC2100 and/or
PC1600 DDR memory |
DDR memory delivers
significantly increased performance for today's
leading software applications. |
On-Chip
Cache
384K total (128K L1 + 256K L2) |
Offering the largest
on-chip cache, the AMD Athlon processor provides
the performance needed for today's business and
consumer software applications. |
Floating
Point Pipelines
3 Superscalar Pipelines |
The AMD Athlon processor
offers outstanding power for scientific, CAD, CAM,
multimedia, video/audio editing, and 3D imaging
& rendering
applications. |
* The AMD-
760™ chipset for the AMD Athlon processor must be used
in conjunction with DDR memory. Check http://www1.amd.com/athlon/config
for detailed system configuration information about AMD
Athlon processor-based systems.
How do I explain
DDR Memory to my customer?
Use this real-world
analogy to help explain DDR memory's function and
benefits.
In this analogy it helps to
imagine a standard circular clock. Imagine memory as a
parcel or package delivery service. SDRAM parcel service
can pick up or deliver once per hour, let's say noon.
DDR memory parcel service has the ability to deliver or
pick up twice per hour let's say at the top of the hour,
(i.e., noon) and at the bottom of the hour, (i.e., 12:30
p.m.). If each service has to pick up the same number of
total boxes and each service can only pick up one box at
a time, then the DDR memory parcel service will finish
twice as fast as the SDRAM service. On your system this
means that you can effectively double the memory
throughput.
DDR Memory
FAQs
Can I use my AMD
Athlon™ processor with a 200MHz front-side bus in
conjunction with DDR memory?
Yes, current
"Socket A" AMD Athlon™ processors are designed to work
on motherboards supporting PC1600 DDR memory.
What special
components are required for a system based on an AMD
Athlon processor supporting DDR memory?
A system
based on an AMD Athlon processor supporting DDR memory
requires the basics of an AMD Athlon processor with
either a 200MHz or 266MHz front-side bus, an AMD-760™
chipset, and either PC2100 or PC1600 DDR memory DIMMs.
Check http://www1.amd.com/athlon/config for
detailed system configuration information about AMD
Athlon processor-based systems.
What is a
DIMM?
A DIMM, or dual inline memory module, is a
RAM module in the form of a printed circuit board
holding memory chips that allows dual channels to be
used in a single interface. DIMM modules are dual sided
and contain 168 pins providing dual 32-bit memory paths
forming a single 64-bit memory path. The predecessor to
the DIMM was the SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module).
These are single-sided modules that contain 72 pins and
provide a 32-bit data path. The advantage that DIMMs
offer over SIMMs is similar to rush-hour automobile
traffic on a four-lane highway as opposed to the amount
of traffic on a two-lane highway. A wider path allows
for a better flow of information through memory.
What is the
AMD-760™ chipset?
The AMD-760™ chipset is AMD's
next generation chipset for the AMD Athlon processor. It
consists of two chips- the AMD-761™ system bus
controller, or Northbridge, and the AMD-766™ peripheral
bus controller, or Southbridge. The AMD-760 chipset
unleashes the power of the new DDR memory technology,
enabling the ultimate PC performance in multitasking and
multimedia intensive applications. The AMD-760 chipset
supports AMD Athlon processors with either a 200MHz or
266MHz front-side bus, as well as PC1600 and PC2100 DDR
memory and 4xAGP graphics.
What is PC1600 DDR
memory? What is PC2100 DDR memory?
PC1600 and
PC2100 are the names given to the two different types of
DDR memory available. PC2100 DDR memory uses a 266MHz
bus and provides 2.1GB/second throughput of data. PC1600
DDR memory uses a 200MHz bus and provides 1.6GB/second
throughput of data.
Which memory
manufacturers are supporting DDR memory?
Leading
memory manufacturers, including Hyundai, Infineon,
Micron, Samsung, and NEC are manufacturing PC1600 DDR
SDRAM and PC2100 DDR SDRAM
memory.
|
