 SU.HARDW.PC.CPU (2:5020/299)  SU.HARDW.PC.CPU 
 From : Sergey Kutikin                      2:5020/324.16   Thu 23 Nov 95 01:05 
 Subj : Am5x86                                                                  

                              p !

The Am5x86(TM) Microprocessor

Fifth-Generation Performance and Superior Value for Windows-compatible PCs
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Am5x86 Product Overview

The Am5x86(TM) microprocessor--the best price/performance value in the
Microsoft Windows software-compatible CPU market--redefines "5-class"
processing power by outperforming the Pentium-75 chip in industry-standard
benchmark tests.
AMD designed the Am5x86 device to keep pace with fifth-generation
microprocessors like the Pentium by innovating around AMD's
industry-proven, fourth-generation 32-bit core and by manufacturing the
device with AMD's sixth-generation (CS34) CMOS-process technology. The
high-performance Am5x86 microprocessor design features:

   * Clock-quadrupled, 133-MHz operating frequency enabled by 0.35-micron
     process technology

   * Unified 16-Kbyte write-back cache, which helps boost performance by
     reducing CPU-write traffic on the system bus and allows external L2
     cache to be eliminated in cost-sensitive designs

   * An integrated floating-point unit (FPU) to accelerate math- and
     graphics-intensive functions

   * Industry-standard System Management Mode (SMM), which supports the
     Microsoft Windows 95 operating system and provides power-saving
     features required by portable PCs

The Am5x86 processor not only offers fifth-generation performance, it also
meets market needs for affordable, fourth-generation product pricing,
making it an attractive alternative to the more costly Pentium for
entry-level desktop and mainstream portable PCs. [See Table 1 in the
Appendix for an Am5x86 feature/benefit overview.]

"Performance Is Everything"

The Am5x86 microprocessor is designed around the premise that CPU
performance is the true measure of value for PC users. The key issue is
delivered performance for mission-critical PC applications and the
installed base of x86 software. Michael Slater, publisher of the
Microprocessor Report, sums it up: "Delivered performance is the only thing
that matters."
Microprocessor performance depends on a variety of factors, including
process technology, clock speed, and architectural enhancements. Moreover,
PC system performance depends as much on the total system configuration
main memory design, external cache, chipsets, bus bandwidth, video cards,
hard drives, and other peripheralsas on CPU horsepower.

Benchmarked Fifth-Generation Performance

The Am5x86 CPU is a fifth-class microprocessor by virtue of its proven
fifth-generation performance. Benchmark tests using the Winstone 95,
CPUmark16, and CPUmark32 benchmarks reveal that the Am5x86 processor
consistently outperforms the Pentium-75. The benchmarks were conducted on
similarly configured Am5x86 and Pentium-75 processor-based systems. [See
Table 2 in the Appendix for benchmark results.]
Until recently, the industry used CPU architecture to determine
microprocessor generations. However, greater competition in the processor
market is driving increasingly differentiated architectures, which has
blurred classes of CPU performance. The 133-MHz Am5x86 device, for example,
combines fourth-generation architecture with sixth-generation process
technology to deliver higher performance than the fifth-generation
Pentium-75 chip.
Ultimately, benchmarked performance not CPU architecture, pin-outs, clock
speed, or processor brand name is the best metric for establishing the
class of a microprocessor. If a CPU performs like a fifth-generation
microprocessor, it is a fifth-generation processor.

The Best Value for Fifth-Class Desktops and Portables

The Am5x86 microprocessor provides affordable, fourth-generation value for
entry-level fifth-class desktop and mainstream portable PC systems. Because
the Am5x86 processor takes advantage of the existing mature 486
infrastructure, no motherboard redesign is required for today's desktop and
portable systems. The Am5x86 CPU also provides a cost-effective,
high-performance upgrade solution for 486 DX2-66 and DX4-100 customers.

Optimized for Portable and "Green" Desktop PCs

The Am5x86 microprocessor is an ideal solution for Energy Star-compliant
desktop systems and for the portable market. Advanced power management
features and 3-V technology enable the Am5x86 processor to reduce power
consumption by up to 40 percent. The "stop-clock/auto halt" feature cuts
power consumption by more than 3 watts by temporarily shutting down the CPU
when the system is inactive. The Am5x86 CPU's power-saving features help
today's portable systems make the most of fifth-class performance while
extending battery life. In addition, the Am5x86 device runs cooler and more
reliably in portable PCs than the Pentium-75 and iDX4-100.

Designed for Windows'95 Software

The Am5x86 microprocessor provides the best combination of performance and
value for Windows 95-based PCs. The Am5x86 CPU is fully compatible with the
huge installed base of x86 software, including Microsoft Windows, Windows
NT(TM), DOS, OS/2, Novell NetWare, Unix, and more than 20 other
single-user and network operating systems.
.........................................................................

                                  Appendix

                     Table 1: Am5x86 Features/Benefits

Feature Set                     Benefits
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16-Kbyte write-back cache       Most affordable fifth-class entry-level
32-bit architecture             microprocessor performance for desktop
Clock-quadrupled to 133 MHz     and mainstream portable PCs

Complete x86 software           Preserves investment in Windows 95
compatibility                   and legacy x86 software

33-MHz external bus speed       Right bus speed for PCI systems

Enhanced SMM and                Complete features for
stop-clock control              power-managed desktops

168-pin PGA package             Leverages existing desktop
                                infrastructure

208-pin SQFP package            Leverages portable infrastructure

3-V operation                   Reduces power consumption by up to 40%

Low power consumption:          Longer battery life
3.5 w                           in portable PC designs

Superior thermal                Better reliability,
characteristics                 runs cooler than Pentium-75 chip
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      Table 2: Am5x86 vs Pentium-75 with L2 Cache Benchmark Comparison

Benchmark                                       Am5x86  Pentium-75
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Winstone 95     Microsoft-certified             133       126
                benchmark that reflects
                overall system performance
                running Windows-based
                applications

WinBench 96     DOS-based tool considered       155       146
CPUmark16       to be the best 16-bit
                synthetic CPU benchmark

WinBench 96     Version of CPUmark              161       148
CPUmark32       benchmark optimized for
                32-bit software
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Hardware configuration for all processors

   * Am5x86 chipset: UMC UM881F
   * Pentium chipset: Intel Triton
   * PCI Diamond Stealth 64 2MB VRAM (640x480x256)
   * WD Caviar 2850, 850M EIDE hard drive
   * 256K L2 cache (15ns)
   * 16MB DRAM (70ns)

Software configuration for both systems

   * Windows for Workgroups 3.11
        o 4M disk cache
        o 20M permanent swap file
        o 32-bit file access enabled
   * Config.sys: device=c:\himen.sys dos=high
   * Autoexec.bat: c:\smartdrv.exe 4096 4096

Last Updated 11/6/95
1995 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

                                               Best regards,Sergey 
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