In 2004, AMD Company immediately introduced 2 platforms for creating computer systems - Socket 754 and Socket 939. The difference between them was that the first had only a single-channel memory controller, and the second had a dual-channel. Also, the second type of processor socket made it possible to install dual-core CPU models. It is about the capabilities and characteristics of the latter that will be discussed later.
The history of the appearance of “Socket 939”
Until 2004, AMD was actively developing only one processor socket, which was called Socket A. Its second name is “Socket 462”. It installed 32-bit CPU models with one computing module. In 2003-2004, a situation began to develop when the capabilities of this platform were no longer enough to solve the most complex problems. Therefore, AMD has completely redesigned all soybean processor solutions and introduced two product lines at once. The first of them, represented by Socket 754, was focused on creating budget class solutions. Also, this processor socket allows you to build a mid-range PC. Well, Socket 939 was intended to create the most productive desktop personal computers and even entry-level servers. Its processors had excellent technical parameters and made it possible to solve any problems. Also, such PCs could be used as work or graphic stations. Another important feature was the release for this processor socket of the first dual-core processor solution from AMD, which became the Athlon 64 X2. Socket 939 It was relevant until 2006, after which it was replaced by a more advanced "Socket AM2." The processors of these sockets are not compatible with each other. There were 939 contacts in Socket 939, and 940 in AM2.
Positioning of this computer platform
It was Socket 939 that was oriented towards solving the most demanding tasks. Its processors in terms of performance did not leave any chances for competing platforms. Therefore, this platform in 2004-2006 was perfect for creating a powerful gaming PC, graphic or workstation. Also in this socket could put the CPU line "Opteron". In this case, such a computer system has already turned into an entry-level server. In essence, the niche occupied by Socket 939 in 2004-2006 is now occupied by Intel LGA 2011 v3. But AMD today is not represented at all in this segment. In the context of the current performance requirements, it can be noted that PCs based on “Socket 939” for 10 years of operation have fallen from the premium segment to the niche of budget office computers. And this is not surprising: 10 years for the market of computing technologies is a considerable period.
Key Benefits of Socket 939
Several important technical innovations were implemented in products that were based on a processor socket called Socket 939. The first of them is a dual-channel memory controller. In the earlier Socket A, some motherboards also boasted such an important feature. But in the case of an updated platform, AMD went further. If before that the RAM controller was integrated into the north bridge of the motherboard, now it has been transferred to the semiconductor chip of the central processing unit. On the one hand, this increased the area of the chip and the degree of its heating. But it was precisely due to this non-standard move that a significant increase in productivity was provided. Another important innovation of this platform was the presence of 2 slots for installing graphics cards. Such an engineering solution allowed the creation of graphic stations with an even greater level of performance. Well, the last important feature of this platform is the appearance of dual-core chips. Immediately, of course, they could not compete with the CPU with one computing module: the frequencies in the case of a two-block layout of the crystal had to be reduced. But as the software was optimized for 2 data streams, this approach more than paid off.
System Logic Kits for this Platform
Core System Logic Kits for Socket 939 there were such:
nForce 4 from Nvidia. This is the most functional chipset in this case. It allowed you to install 2 graphics accelerators in the PC expansion slots PCI - Express. Also, motherboards based on it had a single-chip layout: the logic set consisted only of the south bridge, into which the part of the north that remained after integration of the RAM controller into the central processing unit was transferred.
K8T890 from VIA. In terms of specifications, this solution clearly lost to nForce 4. It did not have a built-in Ethernet controller at 1Gb / s and manufacturers had to use third-party solutions. Also, the number of ports for SATA drives was limited to 2 and there was no possibility of creating RAID arrays using the chipset. All these problems were solved with the help of additional chips. But this complicated the layout of the motherboard and increased the cost of the final product.
Another ATI Xpress 200 chipset boasted the presence of an integrated entry-level graphics accelerator Radeon X300. This allowed in some cases (for example, when creating an entry-level server) to save on the purchase of a discrete graphics accelerator.
In turn, SIS 756 for the most part was an analog of nForce 4. But its cost was lower. But the previous relatively unsuccessful products of this manufacturer led to the fact that this set of system logic was not widely used.
RAM
Only the use of one type of RAM were oriented in this case motherboards. Socket 939, as noted earlier, received one important innovation - the RAM controller was integrated into the CPU. He was focused on working in conjunction with the 1st generation DDR modules. All the more recent types of RAM in the composition of such a system was already impossible to use. To do this, it was necessary to significantly process the central processor and even release a new platform, which was called "AM2".
Supported Processor Models
This platform supported the following models of central processing units:
The most modest parameters and the corresponding level of performance boasted Septron chips. They also had lower clock speeds and reduced cache size.
The Athlon 64 is a little higher. The computational part of the semiconductor crystal was identical to the Septron, but their frequencies were higher and the cache was increased.
Athlon 64 FX chips provided an even higher level of performance. And according to the same parameters: frequency and amount of cache memory.
Even higher were the AMD Athlon 64 X2. Socket 939 was the first processor socket from the company "AMD" in which it was possible to install a 2-core CPU. That is how they were designated.
The highest level of performance in the context of this platform was provided by the Opteron CPU. They had improved technical specifications and were focused on creating entry-level servers.
The cost of a computer system based on this platform
At $ 799, one of the most productive CPU models, the FX-53, which was part of the Amd Athlon line, was priced. Socket 939 is precisely because of this line of silicon chips that provide a fantastic level of performance at that time, and received many positive reviews from computer enthusiasts. The motherboard was also an expensive component in this case, the cost of which could even reach $ 200. If you add the remaining components, then the total cost of a computer system in this case could reach $ 1,500. You could, of course, install a more affordable Athlon 64 line chip for $ 720. In this case, the 939 Socket significantly lost its level of performance and the difference between it and Socket 754 was not so big.
Owner reviews
The performance level was excellent for processors with the FX index of the Amd Athlon 64 line. Socket 939 at that time, due to this, without any problems left far behind direct competitors based on Intel 775 socket. At the same time, energy efficiency was also better for AMD solutions. Therefore, most computer specialists at that time, when assembling a new high-performance and universal PC, paid attention specifically to the AMD Socket 939 platform.
Pros and Cons of Socket 939
The key drawback in this case is the high cost of the final PC based on Socket 939. Athlon for this platform with a normal level of performance was much more expensive than the similar semiconductor chip for Socket 754. The same can be said about motherboards. But the difference in performance was not so significant. Therefore, such personal computers were bought only in those cases when maximum performance was necessary at any cost. In all other cases, the choice remained with the more affordable Socket 754. Now about the pluses of Socket 939. “X2” - this is the prefix with dual-core chips from AMD and this was the main innovation of this platform. The second important nuance is the ability to create graphic stations with two video cards.
Summary
Significant for 2004-2006 was the release of Socket 939. This platform predetermined the development of AMD semiconductor products for many years. Even its current processor socket "Socket AM3 +" is based on those developments that were then made. Only at the end of 2016, these developments should be replaced by a new architecture, which received the code name “Zen”.