I have heard a lot about the new Athlons
w/ full speed cache and whatnot, the Thunderbird. I just have enough money
to get a kickass system, and I decided to go with Athlon. I have a P3
600MHz right now, so I am waiting to jump on the 1GHz milestone w/
full-speed cache since this would probably increase the performance in the
long run.
I am wondering when these full speed cache procs are going to be
released?? I am getting so excited about building my own system that I
can't wait any longer. I have heard they were coming out this summer and I
have heard at the end of the year?
Forward-looking statements...include the risk that
computer manufacturers...may not release systems incorporating
the...AMD Athlon processor on schedule or at all, that demand for the
AMD Athlon processor will not be strong or remain at current levels,
and that AMD will not be able to produce the processor in the volume
and speed grades required by customers using the 0.18 micron process
technology on a timely basis.
This being said, AMD's plans for the Athlon
processor are, based on the latest information and expectations we have
gathered, something like the following:
Processor
Speed
(MHz)
Bus
(MHz)
L2 Cache
Availability
Athlon Professional (K7)
850
200
512kB
(0.4x, off-die)
Now
Athlon Professional (K7)
1000
200
512kB
(0.4x, off-die)
Now
Athlon Select (Spitfire) Athlon's economy version
600
200
512kB
(0.4x, off-die)
Sometime in June 2000
Athlon Ultra (Thunderbird)
1000
266
256kB
(Full-speed, on-die)
Not likely until September 2000
AMD's recent demonstration of a K7
running at 1GHz suggests that you will not have to wait long for a 1GHz Athlon
in its current configuration. How soon it is available will depend mainly
on how quickly Intel can keep pace with their Pentium-III's.
However, if you are waiting for the Thunderbird with
its full-speed L2 cache, it may well be the end of the year before it
arrives--especially if the K7 remains
stable and successful at 1GHz without an on-die cache.
The CPU
Scorecard assumes no risk or liability for damage or loss due to
the use of the information or advice provided here. All responses are
based on the best available information at the time of writing. However,
users of this information who wish to apply it to their computer
situations do so at their own risk.
