Disruptive innovations, early clones, groundbreaking 64-bit architectures, and Ryzen.
P4
Intel 486 socket-compatible processor, and with a similar performance. But came out much later than Intel design....
P4
Intel 486 socket-compatible processor, and with a similar performance. But came out much later than Intel design.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1993 |
| Arch Generation | 4 |
| Architecture / Codename | P4 |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 500 nm(?) |
| Die Size | ? |
| Transistors | 1.25 million |
| Frequency | 25-120 MHz |
| Instructions | x86. |
| TDP | ~10 watt? |
| Cache L1 | 8 KB (shared between instructions+data) |
| Cache L2 | up to 512 KB on the main-board. |
| Memory Type | Fast page mode DRAM (FPM) |
X5
Intel 486 socket-compatible processor. Doubled cache memory. This CPU introduces the so-called "Pentium Rating"...
X5
Intel 486 socket-compatible processor. Doubled cache memory.
This CPU introduces the so-called "Pentium Rating" PR-75 indicates that this 133 MHz chip can compete against Intel Pentium 75 MHz.
Basically a fast version of the 486 architecture, marketed as a competitor to the Intel's Pentium, a true 586 chip.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1995 |
| Arch Generation | 4.5 |
| Architecture / Codename | X5 |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 500 nm(?) |
| Die Size | ? |
| Transistors | 1.6 million |
| Frequency | 133 MHz (PR75) |
| Instructions | x86. |
| TDP | ~15 watt? |
| Cache L1 | 16 KB (shared between instructions+data) |
| Cache L2 | up to 512 KB on the main-board. |
| Memory Type | Fast page mode DRAM (FPM) |
| Chip | 1. a much faster internal data bus (66 MHz vs 33 MHz on the 486), 2. faster memory (EDO RAM vs FPM RAM) 3. faster device bus (PCI vs ISA) 4. L1 cache must be devided into separate instructions + data. (otherwise there is high latency) AMD Am5x86 fails on all 4 of those points. Therefore we can conclude that the AMD Am5x86 is really a 486 architecture inside, repainted as new. |
K5
Processor for Pentium socket. AMD's answer to the Intel Pentium Processor....
📊 Benchmark Results (1)K5
Processor for Pentium socket. AMD's answer to the Intel Pentium Processor.
1 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD K5-100 MHz (PR100)
ST score/GHz: 89.8 · MT score/Watt: 0.64
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Arch Generation | 5 |
| Architecture / Codename | K5 |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 500 nm, 350 nm |
| Die Size | ? |
| Transistors | 4.3 million |
| Frequency | 75-133 MHz |
| Instructions | x86. |
| TDP | ~20 watt? |
| Cache L1 | 24 KB = 16 KB + 8 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | from 256 KB to 1 MB on the main-board. |
| Memory Type | EDO DRAM-33 MHz |
K6
Processor for Pentium socket. MMX Technology. AMD's answer to the Intel Pentium Processor. AMD's first super-s...
📊 Benchmark Results (1)K6
Processor for Pentium socket. MMX Technology. AMD's answer to the Intel Pentium Processor.
AMD's first super-scalar and out-of-order design, acquired from NetGen (their Nx686 design).
Super-scalar meaning it can execute more than 1 commands per clock cycle.
Out-of-order meaning it can re-order instructions on the fly, provided it does not change the algorithm's logic.
1 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD K6-2 500 MHz
ST score/GHz: 110 · MT score/Watt: 2.61
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1997 |
| Arch Generation | 6 |
| Architecture / Codename | K6 |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 300 nm, 250 nm |
| Die Size | ? |
| Transistors | 8.8 million |
| Frequency | 166-300 MHz |
| Instructions | x86. MMX. (+3Dnow! for K6-2) |
| TDP | ~20 watt? |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | from 256 KB to 1 MB on the main-board. |
| Memory Type | EDO DRAM-33 MHz |
K7, Athlon, "Argon", "Orion"
AMD's answer to the Intel Pentium III ! Amazing processor, and 1st time in history, when AMD was able to defeat Int...
📊 Benchmark Results (2)K7, Athlon, "Argon", "Orion"
AMD's answer to the Intel Pentium III ! Amazing processor, and 1st time in history,
when AMD was able to defeat Intel on architecture and performance.
Huge L1 cache at the time.
(2nd time was during AMD Zen 2 architecture, in 2019, which is 20 years later!)
AMD Athlon was the world's first processor to reach 1 GHz, costs $1299 upon release (Mar.2000).
2 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Athlon(tm) processor 800 MHz
ST score/GHz: 311 · MT score/Watt: 5.19
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1999 |
| Arch Generation | 7.0 |
| Architecture / Codename | K7, Athlon, "Argon", "Orion" |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 250 nm, 180 nm |
| Die Size | 184 mm2 ("Argon"; CPU core without the L2 cache) |
| Transistors | 22 million |
| Frequency | 500-1000 MHz |
| Instructions | x86. MMX. 3Dnow! |
| TDP | ~65 watt |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB, L2 cache works at 1/3, 1/2 or 2/5 of CPU speed. |
| Memory Type | SDRAM-100/133 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~1.0 GB/s |
| Memory Size Typical | 64-256 MB |
K7, Athlon, "Thunderbird"
2nd gen Athlon. Uses socket, rather than Slot. Made at 180 nm, rather than 250 nm. Faster clock speeds. L2 cache is on-c...
📊 Benchmark Results (1)K7, Athlon, "Thunderbird"
2nd gen Athlon. Uses socket, rather than Slot. Made at 180 nm, rather than 250 nm.
Faster clock speeds. L2 cache is on-chip and works at full CPU speed.
1 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Athlon(tm) processor 1000 MHz
ST score/GHz: 326 · MT score/Watt: 6.04
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Arch Generation | 7.1 |
| Architecture / Codename | K7, Athlon, "Thunderbird" |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 180 nm |
| Die Size | 120 mm² (?) |
| Transistors | 37 million |
| Introduced | 2000 |
| Frequency | 800-1400 MHz |
| Instructions | x86. MMX. 3Dnow! |
| TDP | ~65 watt? |
| Socket | Slot A |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 256 KB, L2 cache works at CPU speed. |
| Memory Type | SDRAM-100/133 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~1.0 GB/s |
| Memory Size Max | 1 GB (common was 128 MB) |
K7, Athlon XP, "Palomino", "Thoroughbred", "Barton"
AMD Athlon XP added SSE instructions for 3D games, and increased clock speeds. "XP" officially stands for &quo...
K7, Athlon XP, "Palomino", "Thoroughbred", "Barton"
AMD Athlon XP added SSE instructions for 3D games, and increased clock speeds.
"XP" officially stands for "eXtended Performance", and unofficially for "Windows XP",
a Microsoft operating system released in the same time in 2001. Both work together beautifully.
---
During this time Ethernet-on-motherboard and Sound-on-motherboard became common.
An amazing example is GIGABYTE GA7VRXP board that integrates both sound, LAN and RAID controller on-board !
This was unheard of during the 1990's, on desktop computers.
The +15 million transistors came from the on-chip L2 cache of 256 KB size.
Otherwise the core itself is similar, and should be 22 million transistors.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2001 |
| Arch Generation | 7.5 |
| Architecture / Codename | K7, Athlon XP, "Palomino", "Thoroughbred", "Barton" |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 180 nm, 130 nm |
| Die Size | 150 mm² (?) |
| Transistors | 37 million |
| Frequency | 1000-2200 MHz |
| Instructions | x86. MMX. 3Dnow!, SSE |
| TDP | ~65 watt |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 256 KB, L2 cache works CPU speed. |
| Memory Type | SDRAM-100/133 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~1.0 GB/s |
| Memory Size Typical | 128-256 MB |
K8 (Newcastle / and others...)
World's first 64-bit capable PC ! First common processor with On-die memory controller ! Socket 939 models offered ...
📊 Benchmark Results (1)K8 (Newcastle / and others...)
World's first 64-bit capable PC !
First common processor with On-die memory controller !
Socket 939 models offered dual memory controllers.
TDP keeps going up.
1 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+ @ 2.00GHz
ST score/GHz: 332 · MT score/Watt: 7.45
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2003 |
| Arch Generation | 8 |
| Architecture / Codename | K8 (Newcastle / and others...) |
| Cores / Threads | 1 |
| Technology Node | 130 nm |
| Die Size | 144 mm² |
| Transistors | 69 million |
| Frequency | 1800-2400 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, 3Dnow!, SSE, SSE2. |
| TDP | 89 watts |
| Cache L1 | 128 KB = 64 KB + 64 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB (for Newcastle; some other models had 1 MB cache) |
| Socket | 754 (Clawhammer / Newcastle) and 939 (for newer models) |
| Memory Type | DDR SDRAM-200/266 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~2.0 GB/s |
| Memory Size Typical | 128-512 MB |
K10 (Agena)
AMD's 1st attempt to answer to the revolutionary Core 2 Duo CPU was partly successful. Phenom 1 was too late & ...
K10 (Agena)
AMD's 1st attempt to answer to the revolutionary Core 2 Duo CPU was partly successful.
Phenom 1 was too late & too slow, and plagues by various hardware TLB bugs,
that were patched in the BIOS at the cost of performance.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2007 |
| Arch Generation | 10 |
| Architecture / Codename | K10 (Agena) |
| Cores / Threads | 4 |
| Technology Node | 65 nm |
| Die Size | 285 mm² |
| Transistors | 450 million |
| Frequency | 1800-2600 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, 3Dnow!, SSE4a, AMD-V |
| TDP | 140 watts |
| Socket | Socket AM2+ |
| Cache L1 | 128 KB = 64 KB + 64 KB (i+d) per core |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB per core, full-speed |
| Cache L3 | 2 MB |
| Memory Type | DDR2 SDRAM-400/533 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~4 GB/s |
| Memory Size Max |
K10 (Deneb, Thuban)
AMD's 2nd attempt to answer to Core 2 Duo/Core 2 Quad was finally successful. Tripled amount of cache. But this CPU...
📊 Benchmark Results (1)K10 (Deneb, Thuban)
AMD's 2nd attempt to answer to Core 2 Duo/Core 2 Quad was finally successful.
Tripled amount of cache.
But this CPU was too late, delivered only shortly before Intel's Decade-best CPU,
"Sandy Bridge", aka Intel Core i7 2600 series.
1 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 955 Processor
ST score/GHz: 417 · MT score/Watt: 56.2
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2009 |
| Arch Generation | 10.2 |
| Architecture / Codename | K10 (Deneb, Thuban) |
| Cores / Threads | 4 (for X4 Deneb); 6 for X6 Thuban. |
| Technology Node | 45 nm |
| Die Size | 258 mm² (for X4 Deneb) |
| Transistors | 758 million (for x4) and 904 million (for X6) |
| Frequency | 1800-3300 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, 3Dnow!, SSE4a, AMD-V |
| TDP | 125-140 watts |
| Socket | AM2+ |
| Cache L1 | 128 KB = 64 KB + 64 KB (i+d) per core |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB per core, full-speed |
| Cache L3 | 6 MB |
| Memory Type | DDR2 SDRAM-400/533 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~4 GB/s |
Zambezi / 15h "Bulldozer", "Piledriver", "Steamroller", "Excavator" (those are 4 different sub-generations)
Bulldozer. a.k.a. "Foofix" by the people. This CPU is interesting, because it was unique in a way where it was...
Zambezi / 15h "Bulldozer", "Piledriver", "Steamroller", "Excavator" (those are 4 different sub-generations)
Bulldozer. a.k.a. "Foofix" by the people.
This CPU is interesting, because it was unique in a way where it was built from 4 modules of 2 cores each.
This is theoretically better than hyper-threadring, because each core has it's own execution units and L1 cache, with only the FPU being shared.
This CPU closed the gap with Intel when it comes to different supported instructions, adding support for SSE4.2 and AVX technology.
Ultimately what killed this generation is ultra-slow single-core performance which was in many ways even slower than AMD's own previous-gen Phenom II processors, and it had no chance at all vs newer Intel Core i7-2600 "Sandy Bridge" series.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2011 |
| Arch Generation | 11 |
| Architecture / Codename | Zambezi / 15h "Bulldozer", "Piledriver", "Steamroller", "Excavator" (those are 4 different sub-generations) |
| Cores / Threads | 8/8 |
| Technology Node | 32 nm |
| Die Size | 315 mm² |
| Transistors | 1200 million |
| Frequency | 2100-4500 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, SSE4.2, AMD-V, AVX |
| TDP | 125 watts |
| Cache L1 | 128 KB = 64 KB + 64 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 2 MB per module, full-speed |
| Cache L3 | 8 MB |
| Socket | AM3+ |
| Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM-1066/1333 |
| Memory Bandwidth | ~21 GB/s |
| Memory Size Max | 32 GB(?) |
Zen1
This CPU was revolutionary, because 1st time in many decades AMD was able to out-perform Intel, at least in multi-thread...
📊 Benchmark Results (4)Zen1
This CPU was revolutionary, because 1st time in many decades AMD was able to out-perform Intel, at least in
multi-threaded workloads. (Intel's competitor in summer-2017 was Core i7 7700K, which offered only 4 cores.)
Addionally AMD has released AMD Threadripper 1950X Workstaion-class CPU, with 16 cores, to compete against
Core iX and Xeon workstations.
---
Intel at the time was sleeping for a decade from 2007 to 2017 only offering 4-cores in it's desktop offerings
(Core 2 Quad to Core i7-7700K),
and another half a decade sleeping on it's laurels on re-releasing it's good, but aging Skylake architecture (2015-2021).
Someone had to wake up Intel. Be it AMD, Apple, or maybe a bunch of ARM CPU vendors.
4 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Ryzen 7 1700X Eight-Core Processor
ST score/GHz: 819 · MT score/Watt: 314
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2017 |
| Arch Generation | 12 |
| Architecture / Codename | Zen1 |
| Cores / Threads | 8/16 |
| Technology Node | 14 nm |
| Die Size | 213 mm² |
| Transistors | 4.8 billion |
| Frequency | 3400-3800 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, SSE4.2, AMD-V, AVX2 |
| TDP | 95 watts |
| Cache L1 | 96 KB = 64 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB per core |
| Cache L3 | 4 MB per core (16 MB per 4-core CCX) |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM-1866/2133 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s |
| Memory Size Typical | 16-32 GB |
| Memory Size Max | 128 GB |
Zen2 "Matisse"
2nd gen Ryzen was amazing. It blows past Intel's performance where it mattered the most -- in workstation class app...
📊 Benchmark Results (8)Zen2 "Matisse"
2nd gen Ryzen was amazing. It blows past Intel's performance where it mattered the most -- in workstation class applications.
It offered 2x more cores. 16 cores AMD with top end chip, Ryzen 9 3950X blows past Intel 8 cores from Intel's Core i9 9900K.
8 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 64-Core Processor
ST score/GHz: 926 · MT score/Watt: 847
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2019 |
| Arch Generation | 13 |
| Architecture / Codename | Zen2 "Matisse" |
| Cores / Threads | 8/16 |
| Technology Node | 7 nm |
| Die Size | 2x 74 mm²(CPU) + 124 mm²(IO) or 1x 74 mm²(CPU) + 124 mm²(IO) |
| Transistors | 7.6 billion |
| Frequency | 3400-4700 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, SSE4.2, AMD-V, AVX2 |
| TDP | 105 watts (142 watt actual) |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) per core |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB per core |
| Cache L3 | 4 MB per core (16 MB per 4-core CCX) |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM-1866/2133 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s |
| Memory Size Typical | 16-32 GB |
| Memory Size Max | 128 GB |
Zen3 "Vermeer"
Zen 3 is really a much-faster, desktop-optmized, refined architecture delivered from Zen 2. Zen 3 is only slightly faste...
📊 Benchmark Results (5)Zen3 "Vermeer"
Zen 3 is really a much-faster, desktop-optmized, refined architecture delivered from Zen 2.
Zen 3 is only slightly faster in multi-core (10%), but significantly faster in single-core (20%).
Zen 3 can utilize almost all the execution engines from a single-core apps, while Zen 2 under-utilized those,
so to extract max performance from zen 2, it was necessary to write multi-threaded code.
You can view Zen 3 as a Gamer's CPU, where AMD Ryzen 5000 series finally closed the gap against Intel's Core i9 9900K CPU
when it comes to gaming, and it performs much faster in workstation-class apps, due to 2x more cores.
5 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16-Core Processor
ST score/GHz: 975 · MT score/Watt: 548
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2020 |
| Arch Generation | 14 |
| Architecture / Codename | Zen3 "Vermeer" |
| Cores / Threads | 16/32 |
| Technology Node | 7 nm |
| Die Size | 2x 74 mm²(CPU) + 124 mm²(IO) |
| Transistors | 8.3 billion |
| Frequency | 3400-4900 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, SSE4.2, AMD-V, AVX2 |
| TDP | 105 watts (142 watt actual) |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 512 KB per core |
| Cache L3 | 4 MB per core (16 MB per 4-core CCX) |
| Socket | AM4 |
| Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM-1866/2133 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s |
| Memory Size Typical | 16-32 GB |
| Memory Size Max | 128 GB |
Zen4 "Raphael"
Zen 4 is a totally new Architecture by AMD; Added AVX512 instructions + an iGPU, which is really useful for Office compu...
📊 Benchmark Results (5)Zen4 "Raphael"
Zen 4 is a totally new Architecture by AMD; Added AVX512 instructions + an iGPU,
which is really useful for Office computers, and avoids buying a video card, saving money.
Also adds an RDNA2 GPU with AV1 video decoder, another very useful feature for office PC.
As for CPU performance, it does significantly out-perform the previous Zen3, by like 20-25%
in many ST and MT workloads, even at the same TDP levels.
AMD has migrated to a 5 nm technology node and to DDR5 memory with this generation.
Also doubling the RAM to 256 GB on the desktop, from 128 GB on AM4 systems. (ZEN1/2/3)
On the downside, by default Zen4 consumes too much power, making the system too noisy with
an average cooler, forcing people to use Eco-mode in BIOS to push TDP downwards.
5 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X 16-Core Processor / ECO-mode 65/88 watt TDP
ST score/GHz: 1,062 · MT score/Watt: 972
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2022 |
| Arch Generation | 15 |
| Architecture / Codename | Zen4 "Raphael" |
| Cores / Threads | 16/32 |
| Technology Node | 5 nm |
| Die Size | 2x 71 mm²(CPU) + 122 mm²(IO) |
| Transistors | 13 billion |
| Frequency | 3400-5700 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, SSE4.2, AMD-V, AVX2, AVX512 |
| TDP | 170 watts (230 watt actual) |
| Cache L1 | 64 KB = 32 KB + 32 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 1 MB per core |
| Cache L3 | 4 MB per core |
| Socket | AM5 |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | |
| Memory Size Typical | 16-32 GB |
| Memory Size Max | 256 GB |
Zen5 "Granite Ridge"
Zen 5 is a slightly faster version of Zen 4. AMD says it is a new architecture with +50% wider issue and more pipelines,...
📊 Benchmark Results (1)Zen5 "Granite Ridge"
Zen 5 is a slightly faster version of Zen 4.
AMD says it is a new architecture with +50% wider issue and more pipelines,
but the benchmarks suggets there are major bottlenecks with this new architecture,
making effective performance similar to that of the Zen 4.
TDP by default is still too high, at 230 Watts. Can be cured via BIOS under-clocking / Eco-mode. Overall it feels like a minor refresh of the previous-gen 7000-series.
No major performance boost in ST, and not in MT either.
1 result(s) recorded for this family.
Flagship: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X 16-Core Processor
ST score/GHz: 1,310 · MT score/Watt: 561
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2024 |
| Arch Generation | 16 |
| Architecture / Codename | Zen5 "Granite Ridge" |
| Cores / Threads | 16/32 |
| Technology Node | 4 nm |
| Die Size | 2x 70 mm²(CPU) + 122 mm²(IO) |
| Transistors | 16.6 billion |
| Frequency | 3400-5700 MHz |
| Instructions | x86-64. MMX, SSE4.2, AMD-V, AVX2, AVX512 |
| TDP | 170 watts (230 watt actual) |
| Cache L1 | 80 KB = 32 KB + 48 KB (i+d) |
| Cache L2 | 1 MB per core |
| Cache L3 | 4 MB per core |
| Socket | AM5 |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | |
| Memory Size Typical | 16-32 GB |
| Memory Size Max | 256 GB |