EPOX EP-7KXA, User Manual, Page: 6 / 73

Introduction EP-7KXA
Page 1-2
Overview
AMD Athlon
TM
Processor
The AMD Athlon
TM
processor is the newest microprocessor in the AMD K86
TM
family of microprocessors. The AMD Athlon processor brings superscalar RISC
performance to desktop systems running industry-standard x86 software. This
processor implements advanced design techniques such as:
Š
Three out-of-order, superscalar, pipelined Multimedia Units
Š
Three out-of-order, superscalar, pipelined Integer Units
Š
Three x86 instruction decoders
Š
Fixed-sized internal instruction formats (MacroOPs)
Š
72-entry Instruction Control Unit
Š
AMD 3DNOW!
TM
technology
Š
Large L1 and L2 caches and translation lookaside (TLB) structures
Š
Register renaming and data-forwarding
Š
Dynamic branch prediction
Š
S2K Interface Technology
The AMD Athlon processor is the first x86 processor ever to incorporate the S2K
interface technology to deliver unprecedented system performance. The S2K
interface technology is based on the EV6 bus technology from Digital/Compaq
and provides 1.6 Gbytes per second bandwidth to the system.
The AMD Athlon Processor utilizes Single Edge Contact (S.E.C.) (Figure 1)
cartridge packaging technology. The S.E.C. cartridge utilizes surface mounted
core components and a printed circuit board with an edge finger connection. The
S.E.C. cartridge package introduced on the AMD Athlon Processor will also be
used in future Slot A processors.
The S.E.C. cartridge has the following features: a thermal plate, a cover and a PCB
with an edge finger connection. The thermal plate allows standardized heatsink
attachment or customized thermal solutions. The thermal plate enables a reusable