THE AMD DURON™ PROCESSOR
- FIRST GLANCE
Last updated: 5/9/00
 Duron...
Duron... Sounds like a song from the sixties, but it's a derivative of
the Athlon, AMDs answer to the Intel Celeron, and may be a replacement
for the K6 line of processors. Here is what I know/have heard
about AMD's new Duron processor, plus a little speculation...
 The
Duron was originally code named Spitfire; a Duron is a Spitfire. (ref. 1)
The Duron "is targeted for the value
desktop market, and is designed to provide an optimized solution for
value conscious business and home users." (refs. 1 & 2)
Translation: it will replace the K6 in the desktop market.
"The AMD Duron processor is derived from
the AMD Athlon processor core and features full-speed, on-chip cache memory,
a 200MHz front side system bus, and enhanced 3DNow!™ technology." (ref.
1)
According to ref. 3, the Duron will have 128K
on-die cache' (on the CPU chip itself). According to a posting in response
to ref. 3, the Duron will have the following cache':
"...there are many rumors
floating around that the Duron will have 128Kb of L2 cache, but it's not
true.
the Duron Cache formation is:
L1 128Kb Cache Full Way Set Associative
L2 64KB Unitifed Cache 4-way set associative"
I'll wait and see...
 The
Duron uses a Socket A instead of the current Athlon Slot A configuration. The
Socket A looks similar to the Socket 7, but has more pins. The
picture to the right is an actual Socket A (ref. 4).
AMD appears to be phasing out Slot A CPUs.
(ref. 2 & ref. 5). (I said "appears")
The Duron uses AMD's 0.18 micron manufacturing
process. (ref. 3)
The Duron will be available in 500 to 700
Mhz models. (ref. 3)
The Duron will initially sell in quantity
for $75 to $175 USD. (ref. 3)
VIA is developing the KZ133 chipset for the
AMD Socket A CPU's.
Shipments of the Duron are planned for June
2000. (ref. 2)
Larry
Please see our CONTACT page
if you have any comments or corrections that would make this article better. Please
use our Forums if
you need help with a computer or network problem.
REFERENCES
1. AMD Duron™ Processor Frequently
Asked Questions
3. tecchannel
4. AMD's
Thunderbird advances Athlon By John G. Spooner, ZDNet News |
