Second-Generation AMD Opteron

Second-Generation AMD Opteron Processor Benefits

Second-Generation AMD Opteron processors with DDR2 memory extend the industry-leading performance trajectory established by first-generation AMD Opteron processors while offering a seamless upgrade path to quad-core performance and leading-edge solutions to help run your business applications.

AMD Opteron processors feature a Common Core Architecture that is consistent across 1-way, 2-way, 4-way, and 8-way systems and is also consistent with previous AMD Opteron processors, helping minimize the cost of transition and maximize past investments in software optimization.

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 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
• Maintain 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 in 2007 within existing thermal bands for significantly better performance-per-watt