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Does the new dual-core
processor offer any
performance improvement
over previous single and
dual-core processors?
Yes, the new dual core processors from AMD offers significant performance improvement over previous generation dual
core processors on many applications and in many work environments.
Dual-Core. Dual-Socket.
Quad-Core. Multi-Core.
What do these terms mean?
Dual-socket Two physical CPU sockets
Dual-core Each CPU has exactly two cores
Multi-core CPU has two or more cores
Dual-processor Old terminology for a system with two processors in two sockets.
What memory is used on
the HP xw4550? Is it the
same memory use on the
HP xw4600?
Yes and no. The HP xw4550 uses DDR2-667 unbuffered ECC memory technology for ECC memory configurations up to 4
GB, as well as DDR2-667 unbuffered non-ECC memory up to 2 GB. The xw4600 uses DDR2-667 and DDR2-800 for all
ECC configurations, and does not offer non-ECC configurations.
Memory
Why do I sometimes see
memory in terms of PC2-5300?
How does this relate to
memory bandwidth?
Clock rate is directly proportional to memory bandwidth. The bandwidth of 667 MHz DDR2 memory is calculated as
667 MHz 8 bytes per channel = 5,336 MB/s or 5.3 GB/s. For simplicity, the value is thus referred to as PC2-5300 DDR mem-
ory. The “2” after PC just identifies this memory as DDR2 memory. This nomenclature is sometimes more accepted in the
industry.
The memory bandwidth of the system is improved upon by implementing dual-channel memory architecture. Above,
notice the factor “8 bytes per channel”. By implementing two channels you can essentially double your bandwidth. Instead
of a single DIMM working alone, a pair of DIMMs essentially works together to split up the data exchange to and from the
rest of the system. On the HP xw4550 the dual-channel memory architecture results in very high memory bandwidths on
a personal workstation. With PC2-5300 DDR (667 MHz) memory, the system’s theoretical memory
bandwidth is an astounding 10.6 GB/s.
The HP xw4550 delivers
AMD HyperTransport™
technology. What is
HyperTransport?
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, high-performance, low-latency point-to-point cache coherent link for integrated
circuits. It provides a universal connection designed to reduce the number of buses within the system, provide a
high-performance link for embedded applications, and enable highly scalable multiprocessing systems. HyperTransport is
designed to enable the chips inside of the workstation and networking and communications devices to communicate with
each other faster. The end result is a reduction in bottlenecks and increased performance.
What are the benefits
of dual-core processors?
The AMD dual-core processor provides double the processing resources in the same footprint compared to similar single
core offerings. Dual-core processors are ideal for usage models requiring multitasking (running many applications or
simulations at once); working on spreadsheets while listening to music with virus checkers and system backups running
(power office); or those using applications that can split a task across processors (multithreaded), like
animation/rendering—DCC.
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