AMD AM2 CPU Low Wattage

ACE · 06-07-2006, 04:14 PM

OK I have looked and looked for discussions on AMD AM2 processor, found 2 that weren't informatived to me, I know I have probably missed the right thread and someone is going to hit me in the head with an oversized stick of Beef Jerky, but does anyone know of any carputer installs using this processor yet? You can get an AMD AM2 X2 Dual Core processor that only uses 35 watts, but it would have to be used with either a micro ATX or an ATX motherboard. I would love to try this but would hate to sink the money into it if its not going to work. The luxury of a DC to DC power supply is something however I cannot compromise on. If anyone has any thoughts or comments on this subject please let me know?

ACE · 06-08-2006, 04:01 PM

Bump!

vihila · 06-09-2006, 11:21 PM

Looks like it's coming, I just read this:

Mini-ITX 64

"Albatron says that a Socket-AM2 version is in the works and should be out by the end of this year. Coupled with an Energy Efficient Small Form Factor Athlon 64 or X2 processor, the Socket-AM2 version of this motherboard should be a very attractive option for a HTPC among other things. Kudos to Albatron on doing something different."

-zip- · 06-09-2006, 11:57 PM

This will be my next Carputer.......

After a few test rats try it first

vihila · 06-10-2006, 12:08 AM

I have been waiting for this, and it will be my first carputer. Looks like I am going to have a few more months to plan it out.

ACE · 06-10-2006, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the information Vihila

, now I am going to try to be patient and make it to the end of the year!!!

Plenty of time to start on my audio install I suppose!!!

vihila · 06-10-2006, 01:31 PM

After doing some research, I have found that the Core-Duo T2600 performs just as well, if not better, than an Athlon 64 X2 3800+. It also only consumes about 25-30 Watts. This is a good alternative to the energy efficient X2 that is already available in mini-itx format. I can't decide what to do...

Silentbob343 · 06-10-2006, 01:31 PM

LOL vihila beat me to it, I didn't mention Core Duo based processors as there was only one dual core AM2 35 watt processor.

Note that AMD has had low power processors for a while. They were/are Opterons noted as HE&EE series. The HE runs at 55 watts while the EE is available running at 30watts, but only come at 1.4Ghz. Of course they are expensive anything aimed at the server market tends to be expensive.

I would be weary to jump on the AM2 wagon too soon. New platforms usually have bugs and performance issues. I would let the motherboard makers get a couple revisions under their belt before stepping over to AM2.

Found this snippet over at HardOCP:
"Better still, AMD is offering a line of Energy Efficient processors available on Socket AM2 for the desktop that have maximum wattage specifications of 65 watts and even 35 watts for a small premium over the regular model numbers. Energy efficient processors deliver the same performance (frequency, cache, etc.) with lower heat and power.

AM2 PRICING (ENERGY EFFICIENT MODELS):

65 WATTS:
X2 4800+ $671
X2 4600+ $601
X2 4400+ $514
X2 4200+ $417
X2 4000+ $353
X2 3800+ $323
35 WATTS:
X2 3800+ $364
Athlon 64 3500+ $231
Sempron 3400+ $145
Sempron 3200+ $119
Sempron 3000+ $101"

Code:

Energy-Efficient Processors 
Model A (Normal) O D 
FX-62 125 W     
X2 5000+ 89 W     
X2 4800+ 89 W 65 W   
X2 4600+ 89 W 65 W   
X2 4400+ 89 W 65 W   
X2 4200+ 89 W 65 W   
X2 4000+ 89 W 65 W   
X2 3800+ 89 W 65 W 35 W 
Athlon 64 3800+ 62 W     
Athlon 64 3500+ 62 W   35 W 
Athlon 64 3200+ 62 W     
Athlon 64 3000+ 62 W     
Sempron 3600+ 62 W     
Sempron 3500+ 62 W     
Sempron 3400+ 62 W   35 W 
Sempron 3200+ 62 W   35 W 
Sempron 3000+ 62 W   35 W 
Sempron 2800+ 62 W

It appears as though there will be one X2 availlable at 35watts. Also of note the regular non EE AM2 Sempron 3000+ cost $77. Are you looking for 64bit ability? If it were me and I needed a fairly powerful setup I would use Pentium M processors, less watts and can be found very cheap on ebay. The only place where the older Pentium M comes up short is with encoding task with audio and video. Core Processors aren't cheap so you have to ask yourself if you need that processing power vs the cost. Will you be ripping DVDs, editing video, and playing BF2. Well, even in games the Core processors still come up short to AMDs offering, that can't be said with Intel's Conroe.

Article on Dothan vs netburst/P4 vs AMD single core, haven't even gotten to Yonah based processors:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/05/...st/page10.html

In case anybody is wondering I haven't owned an Intel chip since the celeron 300 so don't take this as me being an Intel fanboy.

Yonah info:
http://www.mobilityguru.com/2006/01/...nse/page2.html

There is reason folks have been using these processors in their desktops.

Code:

Intel 945PM/GM (Yohna Processors) 
Processor Coreclock L2-Cache Frontsidebus Die Power (TDP) 
Core Duo T2600 Dual 2.16 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 31 W 
Core Duo T2500 Dual 2.00 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 31 W 
Core Duo T2400 Dual 1.83 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 31 W 
Core Duo T2300 Dual 1.66 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 31 W 
Core Solo T1300 1.66 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 27 W 
Core Duo LV L2400 Dual 1.66 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 15 W 
Core Duo LV L2300 Dual 1.50 GHz 2 MB 667 MHz 65 nm 15 W 
Intel 915PM/GM (Dothan Processors) 
Pentium M 780 2.26 GHz 2 MB 533 MHz 90 nm 27 W 
Pentium M 770 2.13 GHz 2 MB 533 MHz 90 nm 27 W 
Pentium M 760 2.00 GHz 2 MB 533 MHz 90 nm 27 W 
Pentium M 750 1.86 GHz 2 MB 533 MHz 90 nm 27 W 
Pentium M 740 1.73 GHz 2 MB 533 MHz 90 nm 27 W 
Pentium M 730 1.60 GHz 2 MB 533 MHz 90 nm 27 W 
Pentium M 758 LV 1.50 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 10 W 
Pentium M 753 ULV 1.20 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 5 W 
Celeron M 370 1.50 GHz 1 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Celeron M 373 ULV 1.00 GHz 512 kB 400 MHz 90 nm 5 W 
Intel 855PM/GME (Dothan/Banias Prosessors) 
Pentium M 765 2.10 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Pentium M 755 2.00 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Pentium M 745 1.80 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Pentium M 735 1.70 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Pentium M 725 1.60 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Pentium M 715 1.50 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Pentium M 705 1.50 GHz 1 MB 400 MHz 130 nm 24.5 W 
Pentium M 738 LV 1.40 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 10 W 
Pentium M 718 LV 1.30 GHz 1 MB 400 MHz 130 nm 12 W 
Pentium M 733 ULV 1.10 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 5 W 
Pentium M 723 ULV 1.00 GHz 2 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 5 W 
Pentium M 713 ULV 1.10 GHz 1 MB 400 MHz 130 nm 7 W 
Celeron M 360 1.40 GHz 1 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Celeron M 350 1.30 GHz 1 MB 400 MHz 90 nm 21 W 
Celeron M 340 1.50 MHz 512 kB 400 MHz 130 nm 24.5 W 
Celeron M 330 1.40 GHz 512 kB 400 MHz 130 nm 24.5 W 
Celeron M 320 1.30 GHz 512 kB 400 MHz 130 nm 24.5 W 
Celeron M 310 1.20 GHz 512 kB 400 MHz 130 nm 24.5 W 
Celeron M 353 ULV 900 MHz 512 kB 400 MHz 90 nm 5 W 
Celeron M 333 ULV 900 MHz 512 kB 400 MHz 130 nm 7 W

vihila · 06-10-2006, 02:03 PM

LOL Sorry SilentBob.

Do you know how the VIA EPIA C7 performs related to these processors? I haven't been able to find any "head to head" reviews on them. (I guess because all of these processors are the "latest and greatest" from each of the camps, and it takes a while for these things to get out). I'm sitting at the Subaru dealership while my oil gets changed. I just ordered my first component... a replacement center dashboard

hehee I can't wait

Silentbob343 · 06-10-2006, 02:20 PM

Nice. What Suby do you own, WRX?

The C7 won't perform anywhere near the processors discussed nor will it have the memory bandwidth. It is a slower platform in general.

First set up your budget, next decide what you want the system to do, and then pick your components. Some guys play video games and rip DVDs with their car PCs. If you are going that route then I would say Pentium M, Core, or low watt AM2.

If you are sticking with the more traditional stuff; front end, music, GPS, movies, etc. I would say the C7 would work out well or a AMD Geode based sytem if you can find one for a good price. Heck, The system I'm configuring for my brother is the the C3 M10000 and it plays music, movies, etc and the newer C7 doubles the perfomance of the older C3.

I think the best bang for buck is buying a used Pentium M off ebay, but the Mini-ITX board are fairly expensive. Of course you can buy a pretty decent micro-ATX board for less than half the price of a Pentium M Micro-ITX board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130539

Like configuring any computer system it comes down to budget, usage, space constraints, etc.

vihila · 06-10-2006, 05:40 PM

I have a new 2006 Forester 2.5XT (Silver)

That's what I thought about the VIA processors. Very cheap, reliable, and cool running, but without a lot of performance. Perfect for your basic car computer.

I might want to do some non-basic stuff though, like DVDShrink, emulators, pc games, and other stuff, so I am probably going to go for Core-Duo or the 35W X2 when it comes out. My entire budget will be about $3500 - that's how much I'll probably get for selling my old Camry, but that includes all of the other modifications that I want to do (window tinting, dynamat, amps, subs, speakers, power distribution, headrest LCDs, etc). Engine modifications will come further down the line.

I figure $250 for tinting, $250 for dynamat, and the $180 that I just spent on the center dash piece leaves me with about $2800 for the computer, screens, sub, amps, speaker, and power distribution stuff. I should be able to put together a decent system for this much

Silentbob343 · 06-10-2006, 05:46 PM

F-XT, nice. You a memeber of any Suby boards?
The core duo is a great proc as is the 3800+ X2 esp. if you got the budget.

vihila · 06-10-2006, 06:14 PM

I'm not a member of any Scooby boards, although I want to get into it a little more. Subaru's are so addicting! I'm taking an auto shop class this summer, then I'll start my collection of tools (floor jack, torque wrench, ratchets, clamps... it all adds up!)

Silentbob343 · 06-10-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by vihila

I'm not a member of any Scooby boards, although I want to get into it a little more. Subaru's are so addicting! I'm taking an auto shop class this summer, then I'll start my collection of tools (floor jack, torque wrench, ratchets, clamps... it all adds up!)

Please don't take this the wrong way, but how old are you? Working on your car is very gratifying, well except when it doesn't go right. Then you want to kill everything

. Tools add up quick like you said, but you can get a good deal on jacks and jack stands. Torque wrench will be expensive if you buy a name brand, snapon etc. I also reccommend an 18" craftsman breaker bar, the best 20 some bucks I ever spent, makes stuck bolts a walk in the park.

Splash-X · 06-10-2006, 11:44 PM

The main difference between an AM2 processor and your standard Socket 754 or 939 is the front side bus speed and then your power comsumption. The AM2 and even the Turion 64 consume much much less power than the Pentium M in a side by side comparison. At a recent tech conference in Chicago they had all of the specs side by side with the Pentium chips and it was a huge difference.

Would you want an AM2 over the Pentium M or Turion 64? Thats your call, technology is a premium and todays technology will be tomorrows trash. A socket 754 or 939 is in its last set of series. I beleive the runs will go another year or so. AMD has announced that they expect the AM2 chipset to be the standard for around 3 years until a new model comes out.

Is a Turion a bad investment? No, we still see Socket A processors everywhere so the lifecycle of the chips isn't going to be dead.

Do you need that much processor power? Thats your call. Very doubtful if you NEED the AM2 spec over a Socket 754 or 939 (or even Socket A for that matter).

Map out your needs, then your wants, and then your wishes. From there we could better gauge the type of computer you will need. Heck, consider upgrading your desktop to the AM2 and taking your old desktop board/cpu as the carPC. Would you spend more money on your car audio setup than you would on your surround sound for the home?

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