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Intel vs AMDIntel vs AMD

By Carrie Pipkin: Introduction and History

Ramiro Bolanos : Intel and VIA chipsets

Dan Hepp: VIA and AMD chipsets, Conclusion

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Part 1: Comparative Part 1: Comparative HistoryHistory

Generally Intel has been the dominant Generally Intel has been the dominant producer producer

of microprocessor chipsof microprocessor chips AMD has proven to be a fierce competitorAMD has proven to be a fierce competitor Competition stimulated the industry by Competition stimulated the industry by

producing new and innovative producing new and innovative microprocessorsmicroprocessors

In the mid nineties Intel begins to face In the mid nineties Intel begins to face true competitiontrue competition

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Comparative History Comparative History – 80286 chip– 80286 chip

1980’s-Intel was the only true 1980’s-Intel was the only true producer of marketable computer producer of marketable computer chipschips

1982-introduce 802861982-introduce 80286 286 was able to run software of its 286 was able to run software of its

prior microprocessorprior microprocessor

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Comparative History Comparative History – 80286 – 80286

chipchip Within 6 years, 15 million 286’s are installed Within 6 years, 15 million 286’s are installed

around the worldaround the world

Intel contracts third party companies to Intel contracts third party companies to

produce 286’s and variantsproduce 286’s and variants

AMD was one of these third party companiesAMD was one of these third party companies

AMD became very efficient and capable of AMD became very efficient and capable of

being its own producer of microprocessorsbeing its own producer of microprocessors

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Comparative History Comparative History – 386 chip– 386 chip

1985, Intel releases its 32-bit 386 1985, Intel releases its 32-bit 386 microprocessor.microprocessor.

Faster and capable of multitaskingFaster and capable of multitasking AMD, under licensed production, AMD, under licensed production,

produces 386 chips allowing Intel to meet produces 386 chips allowing Intel to meet market demandsmarket demands

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Comparative History Comparative History – 386 chip– 386 chip

During the reign of the 386, AMD decides During the reign of the 386, AMD decides to produce to produce

its own CPU.its own CPU. 1987-AMD began legal arbitration over 1987-AMD began legal arbitration over

rights to produce their own chips.rights to produce their own chips. After 5 years of battle, the courts sided After 5 years of battle, the courts sided

with AMD.with AMD.

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Comparative History Comparative History -486 chip-486 chip

1989-Intel releases its 486DX.1989-Intel releases its 486DX. Allowed point and clickingAllowed point and clicking Initially twice as fast as its Initially twice as fast as its

predecessor.predecessor. Intel continued to upgrade to speeds Intel continued to upgrade to speeds

reaching 66MHz.reaching 66MHz.

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Comparative History Comparative History -Am386 -Am386

chipchip 1991-AMD released Am3861991-AMD released Am386 Intel’s 486 released two years priorIntel’s 486 released two years prior AMD believed there still existed a AMD believed there still existed a

marketmarket By October, AMD sold one million By October, AMD sold one million

units units

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Comparative History Comparative History -Am486 -Am486

chipchip 1993-AMD releases first competing 1993-AMD releases first competing

chip: Am486chip: Am486 1994-AMD improves chip with 1994-AMD improves chip with

Am486DXAm486DX Am486DX processes up to 100MHzAm486DX processes up to 100MHz

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium-Pentium

1993, Intel realizes it cannot 1993, Intel realizes it cannot trademark numbers “x86.”trademark numbers “x86.”

This allows AMD the ability to This allows AMD the ability to essentially clone Intel’s chipsessentially clone Intel’s chips

Intel’s solution: dubs its new chip the Intel’s solution: dubs its new chip the Pentium instead of releasing it as the Pentium instead of releasing it as the “586”“586”

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium-Pentium

Handles and processes more media types Handles and processes more media types

such as speech, sound , and photographic such as speech, sound , and photographic

images.images.

It Offered multiple processing speeds up It Offered multiple processing speeds up

to 200MHz.to 200MHz.

It became well entrenched in the marketIt became well entrenched in the market

During this time, Intel truly dominatedDuring this time, Intel truly dominated

Comparative History Comparative History -Am5x86-Am5x86

1995- AMD’s first attempt to 1995- AMD’s first attempt to compete with the Pentium by compete with the Pentium by introducing Am5x86introducing Am5x86

It was It was reallyreally for those who wanted to for those who wanted to upgrade their 486 motherboards upgrade their 486 motherboards without making a jump to the without making a jump to the Pentium motherboardPentium motherboard

AMD did not fare well with this chipAMD did not fare well with this chip

Comparative History Comparative History -AMD K5-AMD K5

1996-K5 introduced1996-K5 introduced

First chip comparable to the PentiumFirst chip comparable to the Pentium

Could be placed in the same motherboard Could be placed in the same motherboard

as as

the Pentium, making it compatiblethe Pentium, making it compatible

Because it was released 3 years after the Because it was released 3 years after the

Pentium, it was met with cool receptionPentium, it was met with cool reception

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium -Pentium

ProPro In the previous year, Intel released the In the previous year, Intel released the

Pentium ProPentium Pro Able to handle more instructions per clock Able to handle more instructions per clock

cyclecycle Intel’s ability to get a new chip on the Intel’s ability to get a new chip on the

market before AMD has had the effect of market before AMD has had the effect of overshadowing any of AMD’s overshadowing any of AMD’s microprocessorsmicroprocessors

Comparative History Comparative History -AMD K6-AMD K6

1996-AMD purchases the company 1996-AMD purchases the company NexGen who were making a NexGen who were making a microprocessor of their ownmicroprocessor of their own

AMD uses their core 686 processor to AMD uses their core 686 processor to develop the AMD K6 develop the AMD K6

Additionally, they slap on Intel’s MMX Additionally, they slap on Intel’s MMX code making it compatible with code making it compatible with Pentiums. Pentiums.

Comparative History Comparative History -AMD K6-AMD K6

K6 was released in 1997 and reached K6 was released in 1997 and reached

speeds of 166Mhz to 200Mhzspeeds of 166Mhz to 200Mhz

K6 was significantly cheaper than the K6 was significantly cheaper than the

PentiumPentium

K6 was able to move up to speeds as high K6 was able to move up to speeds as high

as 300MHz, out performing the Pentiumsas 300MHz, out performing the Pentiums

Intel was ready for the challengeIntel was ready for the challenge

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium II-Pentium II

Later than year, Intel unveils the Pentium IILater than year, Intel unveils the Pentium II

It was equipped with MMX instructions, ready to It was equipped with MMX instructions, ready to

handle video, audio, and graphics datahandle video, audio, and graphics data

Better capable of handling video editing, Better capable of handling video editing,

sending media via the Internet, and sending media via the Internet, and

reprocessing musicreprocessing music

By 1998, the Pentium began to climb in By 1998, the Pentium began to climb in

processing speeds up to 450 MHz.processing speeds up to 450 MHz.

Comparative History Comparative History -The -The

CeleronCeleron K6 was doing well as a cost effective K6 was doing well as a cost effective

alternative to the Pentium II, although it alternative to the Pentium II, although it was an inferior chipwas an inferior chip

In response, in 1998, Intel introduced its In response, in 1998, Intel introduced its own cheaper and inferiror own cheaper and inferiror microprocessor: the Celeronmicroprocessor: the Celeron

It was a stripped down version of the It was a stripped down version of the Pentium IIPentium II

Comparative History Comparative History -AMD’s K6-2-AMD’s K6-2

AMD fights back with an enhanced K6 to take on AMD fights back with an enhanced K6 to take on

the Pentium II: the K6-2the Pentium II: the K6-2

Their K6 chip included what they called “3DNow” Their K6 chip included what they called “3DNow”

technologytechnology

3DNow is an additional twenty-two instructions to 3DNow is an additional twenty-two instructions to

better handle audio, video, and graphic intensive better handle audio, video, and graphic intensive

programsprograms

AMD then releases K6-3 and proves to be a threat AMD then releases K6-3 and proves to be a threat

to Intelto Intel

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium III-Pentium III

1999-Intel responds by coming out with the 1999-Intel responds by coming out with the Pentium IIIPentium III

It had an additional 70 instructions, It had an additional 70 instructions, improving its ability to process advanced improving its ability to process advanced imaging, streaming audio, video, & speech imaging, streaming audio, video, & speech recognition programsrecognition programs

One goal of the Pentium III was to enhance One goal of the Pentium III was to enhance the Internet experiencethe Internet experience

Comparative History Comparative History -the Athlon-the Athlon

The Athlon was a new chip from the The Athlon was a new chip from the ground upground up

It was capable of doing everything the It was capable of doing everything the Pentium III could do, but was much Pentium III could do, but was much cheapercheaper

The Athlon was beating out the The Athlon was beating out the Pentium IIIPentium III

Comparative History Comparative History -Celeron II-Celeron II

In 2000, Intel decides to launch a two pronged In 2000, Intel decides to launch a two pronged

attack against AMDattack against AMD

First, Intel fights for low-end market by First, Intel fights for low-end market by

introducing the Celeron IIintroducing the Celeron II

It ranges in speed between 500 and 1100MHz.It ranges in speed between 500 and 1100MHz.

It was a stripped down processor with enhanced It was a stripped down processor with enhanced

speedspeed

It was fairly cheap, making it competitiveIt was fairly cheap, making it competitive

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium IV-Pentium IV

Intel also introduces the Pentium IVIntel also introduces the Pentium IV

It uses four main new technologies: Hyper Pipelined It uses four main new technologies: Hyper Pipelined

Technology, Rapid Execution Engine, Execution Technology, Rapid Execution Engine, Execution

Trace Cache and a 400 MHz system busTrace Cache and a 400 MHz system bus

Its major improvement was increased speed, Its major improvement was increased speed,

initially starting at 1.5Ghz with ability for expansioninitially starting at 1.5Ghz with ability for expansion

Today it’s reaching upwards to a remarkable 3GHzToday it’s reaching upwards to a remarkable 3GHz

Comparative History Comparative History -Pentium IV-Pentium IV

The Pentium IV can now produce The Pentium IV can now produce high quality videohigh quality video

stream radio and TV quality stream radio and TV quality information across the internetinformation across the internet

Render upscale graphics in real-timeRender upscale graphics in real-time Perform several applications Perform several applications

simultaneously while connected to simultaneously while connected to the Internetthe Internet

Comparative History Comparative History -the Duron-the Duron

As result of Intel’s attack on AMD, As result of Intel’s attack on AMD, Intel is once again dominating the Intel is once again dominating the marketmarket

AMD’s response to the Celeron II was AMD’s response to the Celeron II was the Duron, released the same year the Duron, released the same year (2000)(2000)

It is a geared down version of the It is a geared down version of the Athlon, but edges out the CeleronAthlon, but edges out the Celeron

Comparative History Comparative History -Athlon XP-Athlon XP

The Athlon chip was destroying the Pentium III, The Athlon chip was destroying the Pentium III,

but now is destined for the graveyardbut now is destined for the graveyard

In response to the Pentium IV, AMD enhanced In response to the Pentium IV, AMD enhanced

the Athlon by coming out with the XP series. the Athlon by coming out with the XP series.

Test show that an Athlon XP running 1.4GHz Test show that an Athlon XP running 1.4GHz

performs nearly as well as a Pentium of 2Ghzperforms nearly as well as a Pentium of 2Ghz

The Athlon XP is a quality chip, but is fading The Athlon XP is a quality chip, but is fading

away under the onslaught of the heavy away under the onslaught of the heavy

performance of the Pentium IVperformance of the Pentium IV

Comparative History Comparative History -the ClawHammer-the ClawHammer

Intel now holds edge over AMD in chip Intel now holds edge over AMD in chip technologytechnology

Rumored that AMD is developing a Rumored that AMD is developing a powerhouse chip called the powerhouse chip called the ClawHammerClawHammer

It is apparently in a testing stageIt is apparently in a testing stage

ChipsetsChipsets

Our goal has been to understand the Our goal has been to understand the history and details of the competition and history and details of the competition and their processors between Intel and Amdtheir processors between Intel and Amd

Also of importance are ChipsetsAlso of importance are Chipsets Knowing some information on chipsets Knowing some information on chipsets

helps determine an appropriate opinion on helps determine an appropriate opinion on Intel & AMDIntel & AMD

ChipsetsChipsets

A chipset is a group of integrated circuits, A chipset is a group of integrated circuits, sold as one unit, designed to perform one sold as one unit, designed to perform one or more related functionsor more related functions

We are focused on chipsets that provide We are focused on chipsets that provide functionality for the CPUfunctionality for the CPU

We compared chipsets from both AMD and We compared chipsets from both AMD and Intel as well as an outside manufacturer, Intel as well as an outside manufacturer, who makes chipsets for both, VIA.who makes chipsets for both, VIA.

ChipsetChipset

Most advanced chipset for the Most advanced chipset for the AMD CPUAMD CPU

Consists of the VT8235 Consists of the VT8235 Southbridge and the VT8377 Southbridge and the VT8377 Northbridge.Northbridge.

Main Features of KT400Main Features of KT400

Front Side Bus (FSB) up to 333MhzFront Side Bus (FSB) up to 333Mhz Support for PC 3200 DDR Ram Support for PC 3200 DDR Ram

memory @ 400 Mhzmemory @ 400 Mhz North-South Bridge Link @ 533 MhzNorth-South Bridge Link @ 533 Mhz 5 available PCI slots5 available PCI slots

KT400 VT8377 FeaturesKT400 VT8377 Features

Lightening fast Lightening fast memory access: 2.7 memory access: 2.7 Gb/sGb/s

AGP @ 8X offers 2.1 AGP @ 8X offers 2.1 Gb/s dedicated Gb/s dedicated speed to 3D graphicsspeed to 3D graphics

Fast 333 Mhz FSBFast 333 Mhz FSB

KT400 VT8235 FeaturesKT400 VT8235 Features

533 Mhz 8X V-link 533 Mhz 8X V-link interface between interface between North and South North and South bridgebridge

USB 2.0USB 2.0 ATA133ATA133 6 Channel Audio6 Channel Audio

Few Popular Motherboards Few Popular Motherboards using the KT400using the KT400

Gigabyte 7VAXPGigabyte 7VAXP Abit AT7 MAX2Abit AT7 MAX2 ASUS A7V8XASUS A7V8X MSI KT4 UltraMSI KT4 Ultra Soyo KT400 Ultra DragonSoyo KT400 Ultra Dragon

Performance Measurements AMD Performance Measurements AMD (using KT400) vs. Pentium(using KT400) vs. Pentium

Using Soyo’s KT400 Ultra Using Soyo’s KT400 Ultra Dragon MotherboardDragon Motherboard

Higher number better

Higher Higher number number betterbetter

Higher number betterHigher number better

Consists of the AMD-762 system Consists of the AMD-762 system controller (northbridge) and the AMD-controller (northbridge) and the AMD-768 peripheral bus controller 768 peripheral bus controller (southbridge).(southbridge).

AMD 760 MPX Chipset (Dual Processor)

Main features of AMD Main features of AMD 760MPX760MPX

Front Side Bus (FSB) up to 266 Mhz Front Side Bus (FSB) up to 266 Mhz per processor (533Mhz)per processor (533Mhz)

Support for PC 2100 DDR Ram Support for PC 2100 DDR Ram memory @ 266 Mhzmemory @ 266 Mhz

North-South Bridge Link @ 66 MhzNorth-South Bridge Link @ 66 Mhz Up to 7 available PCI slotsUp to 7 available PCI slots

Features of AMD 760MPX Features of AMD 760MPX 762 System Controller762 System Controller

Two 266 MHz Two 266 MHz point-to-point point-to-point AMD system AMD system busesbuses

PC 2100 DDR PC 2100 DDR Ram memory Ram memory @ 266 Mhz@ 266 Mhz

AGP 4X video AGP 4X video card supportcard support

Features of AMD 760MPX Features of AMD 760MPX 768 768 Peripheral Bus Peripheral Bus

ControllerController Host PCI bus utilizing a Host PCI bus utilizing a

66MHz/64-bit interface. 66MHz/64-bit interface. Secondary 33MHz/32-bit Secondary 33MHz/32-bit PCI bus interface, PCI bus interface, including PCI bus arbiter including PCI bus arbiter with support for up to with support for up to eight external deviceseight external devices

UDMA 33/66/100 UDMA 33/66/100 compatible EIDE bus compatible EIDE bus master controllermaster controller

SMBus controller with SMBus controller with one SMBus port one SMBus port

Advantages of the AIPC and Advantages of the AIPC and the SMBus Busthe SMBus Bus

Through the AIPC bus, the Processors Through the AIPC bus, the Processors have direct access to the south have direct access to the south bridgebridge

Through the SMBus, the memory has Through the SMBus, the memory has the direct access to the south bridgethe direct access to the south bridge

Disadvantage of direct access can be Disadvantage of direct access can be potential data conflictpotential data conflict

The 860 ChipsetThe 860 Chipset

StructureStructure

Designed for Xeon ProcessorDesigned for Xeon Processor

2 Main Chips2 Main Chips

MCH Memory Controller HubMCH Memory Controller Hub Controls the high speed busControls the high speed bus

ICH2 I/O controller Hub ICH2 I/O controller Hub Controls the peripheral devicesControls the peripheral devices

Over view of 860 chipsetOver view of 860 chipset

High Speed BusHigh Speed Bus

MemoryMemory

64 Bit PCI connection64 Bit PCI connection

Graphics AcceleratorsGraphics Accelerators

Memory ConfigurationMemory Configuration

RDRAM RDRAM Up to 64 devices supported by the Up to 64 devices supported by the

Paired modePaired mode Single Channel-pair ModeSingle Channel-pair Mode

Utilizes memory modules ( 4 Gigabytes)Utilizes memory modules ( 4 Gigabytes) Multiple Channel- pair modeMultiple Channel- pair mode

Utilizes MRH-R to control the expanded Utilizes MRH-R to control the expanded capabilities ( 16 Gigabytes of RAM)capabilities ( 16 Gigabytes of RAM)

Block DiagramBlock Diagram

64 bit PCI Support64 bit PCI Support

400 MHz connection to the P64H chip400 MHz connection to the P64H chip Allows for a fast connection to a high Allows for a fast connection to a high

speed, PCI devicespeed, PCI device

High data transfer rateHigh data transfer rate

High SpeedHigh Speed

A pair are bundled in the chipsetA pair are bundled in the chipset

Graphics AcceleratorGraphics Accelerator

MCH connects to AGP 4XMCH connects to AGP 4X

Connection speed of 1 GB/sConnection speed of 1 GB/s

High performance Accelerators High performance Accelerators supportedsupported

Does not Support 8X AcceleratorsDoes not Support 8X Accelerators

ICH2 Peripherals BusICH2 Peripherals Bus

32 Bit PCI Bus32 Bit PCI Bus LAN ControllerLAN Controller I/O moduleI/O module

Keyboard, Mouse, Floppy disk drive, etcKeyboard, Mouse, Floppy disk drive, etc ATA / 100 (IDE standard for Hard ATA / 100 (IDE standard for Hard

Drive)Drive) 4 USB Ports4 USB Ports

Features and BenefitsFeatures and BenefitsFeature Benefit

Supports two Intel Xeon Processors with NetBurst Microarchitecture and hyper-Threading teconlogy

512 KB L2 chacke for dual-processing server platforms

400 MHz System Bus Capability Balances the system bus band withd with the memory

Intel Hub Architecture with option P64H Dual 64-bit 66 MHz I/O segments for fast drive access and high speed networks

AGP 4X 1 GB/s of Graphics bandwidth allows high performance Graphics

MRH-R (RDRAM Based repeater Hub) Extends RDRAM memory capacities and increasesSystem scalability

Dual RDRAM channels Maximum memory performance(3.2 GB/s or 400MHz)

Prefetch Cache System concurrency so that simultaneous process do not impact system performance

Dual USB Controllers Enhanced plug and play with four full band widthUSB ports

Note source (Intel 860 Chipset)

Overview 860 chipsetOverview 860 chipset

Highly StructuredHighly Structured

Powered by up to 7 chipsPowered by up to 7 chips

High performanceHigh performance

Apollo ChipsetApollo Chipset

Designed for the Pentium 4 processorDesigned for the Pentium 4 processor

3 Segments in the Bus3 Segments in the Bus

North Bridge High speed busNorth Bridge High speed bus

South Bridge peripheral devicesSouth Bridge peripheral devices

Block DiagramBlock Diagram

North BridgeNorth Bridge

System BusSystem Bus 400 MHz400 MHz

Main memoryMain memory Connection at 266 MHzConnection at 266 MHz

BottleneckBottleneck

Accelerated Graphics Controller AGPAccelerated Graphics Controller AGP 4X AGP support4X AGP support

South BridgeSouth Bridge

Controls 32 bit PCI Bus (33 MHz)Controls 32 bit PCI Bus (33 MHz)

Supports up to 6 USB devicesSupports up to 6 USB devices (2.0 Standard)(2.0 Standard)

Hard Drive Hard Drive IDE (ATA 33 / 66 / 100 )IDE (ATA 33 / 66 / 100 )

LAN controller VT6103LAN controller VT6103

South Bridge (cont’d)South Bridge (cont’d)

Several chips availableSeveral chips available VT8233 VT8233 VT8233C VT8233C VT8233A VT8233A

Each with a unique functionEach with a unique function

Price dropsPrice drops

Supports Intel Pentium 4 ProcessorSupports Intel Pentium 4 Processor

400MHz (Quad 100) FSB setting400MHz (Quad 100) FSB setting

AGP4X graphicsAGP4X graphics

Supports DDR200/266 SDRAM as well as Supports DDR200/266 SDRAM as well as PC100/133 PC100/133 SDRAM SDRAM

Ultra fast 266MB per second V-Link between Ultra fast 266MB per second V-Link between North and South Bridge North and South Bridge

FeaturesFeatures

Features (cont’d)Features (cont’d) AC'97 and MC'97 Audio/Modem AC'97 and MC'97 Audio/Modem

Integrated 3Com 10/100Mb Ethernet Media Integrated 3Com 10/100Mb Ethernet Media Access ControllerAccess Controller

Support for 2 ATA 33/66/100 interfacesSupport for 2 ATA 33/66/100 interfaces

6 USB ports, UHCI compliant6 USB ports, UHCI compliant

Advanced power management capabilitiesAdvanced power management capabilities

Note Source: (Via P4X266)Note Source: (Via P4X266)

Overview Overview

Highly structuredHighly structured

Unique featuresUnique features LAN, sound, modem integratedLAN, sound, modem integrated

4 GB of Ram4 GB of Ram

Promises to utilize Intel’s Quad bus Promises to utilize Intel’s Quad bus pumping pumping technologytechnology

Price conscientiousPrice conscientious

Professional OpinionProfessional Opinion

After serious consideration to:After serious consideration to: Chip performanceChip performance ReliabilityReliability Some researchSome research $50 from Intel’s PR $50 from Intel’s PR

We conclude that the We conclude that the

860 chipset is the best chipset within this 860 chipset is the best chipset within this PresentationPresentation

Thank YouThank You