AMD AthlonXP 2100+ Processor Review
 The number 21 has always been lucky. Just
like a full hand in Black Jack, that first stick of PC2100 DDR, and now the
first XP 2100+, we have something very cool in our hands. AMD's Athon XP2100+ is
a 1.73GHz processor set to the tune of a 0.18 micron Palomino core and a
spritely green OPGA package. The XP lineup features QuantiSpeed Architecture,
384KB of cache, and continuing support of AMD's 3DNow! technology. Like other
Athlon XP processors, the XP2100+ works with a 266MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) and
comes from the AMD fab in Dresden Germany, where they make good sausages.
The newest processor in AMD's successful
Athlon XP lineup is being launched officially at CeBit 2002 today along with the
Athlon MP 2000+ for servers and Athlon 4 1600+ for notebooks.
The Athlon XP 2100+ processor is priced at around $420USD (in OEM quantities),
which is less expensive then comparable Intel Pentium 4 offerings.
Other than the increase in speed over the XP2000+ (1.67GHz) the XP2100+ is
essentially the same, with a 1.75Vcore setting.
-
Athlon XP 2100+ operates at 1.73 GHz
-
Athlon XP 2000+ operates at 1.67 GHz
-
Athlon XP 1900+ operates at 1.60 GHz
-
Athlon XP 1800+ operates at 1.53 GHz |
-
Athlon XP 1700+ operates at 1.47 GHz
-
Athlon XP 1600+ operates at 1.40 GHz
-
Athlon XP 1500+ operates at 1.33
GHz |
Unlike other AthlonXP processors we have reviewed, the
AthlonXP 2100+ uses AMD's new green FC-OPGA packaging. Previous processors used a rather drab brown colour
which has since been discontinued. This was done because of consumer's reaction to the brown
colour, and to reinforce the AMD
logo.
Personally, as long as the chip runs fast and
stable I am happy!
The only changes the AthlonXP
2100+ brings to the table is a higher clock speed. One of these days it
would be nice to see AMD adopt the heatspreader it showed off on its 64-bit
Hammer processor line to protect the die. After all, we have seen countless broken, chipped
and damaged Athlon cores. A heatspreader would protect the brittle
silicon as Intel has done for their Pentium 4. The four pads are nice, but
they really don't offer much in the way of core protection.
On the bright side of the thermal world, AMD has
implemented a internal thermal diode into the AthlonXP CPU...
however there are still a scant few motherboards that support it fully
(Fujitsu-Semiens is the only manufacture that comes to mind).
AthlonXP
Technology
The
AthlonXP 2100+ follows in the footsteps of earlier models and supports
hardware prefetch capabilities. What this does is it will look at the processes
that are happening and try to predict what data will be required next and cache
that data into memory. This methodology for example can help boost
office based applications which are easily predictable.
Realistically speaking, the AthlonXP 2100+ brings no
additional technologies into the core, so if you would like to read a
bit more about it, please see our AthlonXP 2000+
review.
The core frequency of
the AthlonXP 2100+ is 1733 MHz and it uses a 13x multiplier while running along on a 133 MHz DDR FSB (or
266MHz SDR FSB). The L1 bridges, sadly, remain laser cut making multiplier unlocking
more difficult but still possible. AMD has publically said that they don't mind enthusiasts
overclocking their processors, however they obviously want to deter the newbies from getting
into trouble.
Adventures in
Overclocking
The Palomino core just keeps on surprising me. I was pretty
sure that the Palomino core was near its limit when we first looked
at the AthlonXP 1800+ (AGKGA) which was able to overclock all the way up to 1.7GHz.
Then along came the AthlonXP 1900+ (AGNGA) which managed a nice little 1.8GHz overclock. With a decent copper
heatsink and simple air cooling (Vcore to 1.85V), we were able to push the AthlonXP 2100+ as
high as 1.89GHz (AGOIA)! Amazing, how much further
can this core go?
With the
0.13 micron Thoroughbred just around the corner on, you really have to wonder
how much further the 0.18 micron Palomino can stretch. Overclocking was
accomplished by FSB adjustments only, look for an updated list of results once
the conductive paint dries.
|
RSS Newsletter
