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
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