Sempron

Sempron has been the marketing name used by AMD for several different budget desktop CPUs, using several different technologies and CPU socket formats. The Sempron replaced the AMD Duron processor and competed against Intel's Celeron series of processors. AMD coined the name from the Latin semper, which means "always", to suggest the Sempron is suitable for "daily use, practical, and part of everyday life".

The brand's initial processors were very similar to its predecessor, the Duron. The last Semprons were launched in April 2014. The brand was retired with the launch of the AMD A-Series APUs.

History and features

The first Sempron CPUs were based on the Athlon XP architecture using the Thoroughbred or Thorton core. These models were equipped with the Socket A interface, 256 KiB L2 cache and 166MHz Front side bus (FSB 333). Thoroughbred cores natively had 256KiB L2 cache, but Thortons had 512KiB L2 cache, half of which was disabled and could sometimes be reactivated with a slight physical modification to the chip. Later, AMD introduced the Sempron 3000+ CPU, based on the Barton core with 512KiB L2 cache. From a hardware and user standpoint, the Socket A Sempron CPUs were essentially identical to Athlon XP desktop CPUs with a new brand name.

The second generation (Paris/Palermo core) was based on the architecture of the Socket 754 Athlon 64. Some differences from Athlon 64 processors include a reduced cache size (either 128 or 256KiB L2), and the absence of AMD64 support in earlier models. Apart from these differences, the Socket 754 Sempron CPUs share most features with the more powerful Athlon 64, including an integrated (on-die) memory controller, the HyperTransport link, and AMD's "NX bit" feature.

In the second half of 2005, AMD added 64-bit support (AMD64) to the Sempron line. Some journalists (but not AMD) often refer to this revision of chips as "Sempron 64" to distinguish it from the previous revision. AMD's intent in releasing 64-bit entry-level processors was to extend the market for 64-bit processors, which at the time of Sempron 64's first release, was a niche market.

In 2006, AMD announced the Socket AM2 and Socket S1 line of Sempron processors. These are functionally equivalent to the previous generation, except they have a dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM memory controller which replaces the single-channel DDR SDRAM version. The TDP of the standard version remains at 62 W (watts), while the new "Energy Efficient Small Form Factor" version has a reduced 35 W TDP. The Socket AM2 version also does not require a minimum voltage of 1.1 volts to operate, whereas all socket 754 Semprons with Cool'n'Quiet did. In 2006, AMD was selling both Socket 754 and Socket AM2 Sempron CPUs concurrently. In the middle of 2007 AMD appears to have dropped the 754 line and is shipping AM2 and S1 Semprons.

Models for Socket A (Socket 462)

Thoroughbred B/Thorton (130 nm)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 256KiB, full speed
• MMX, 3DNow!, SSE
• Socket A (EV6)
• Front side bus: 166MHz (FSB 333)
• VCore: 1.6 V
• First release: July 28, 2004
• Clockrate: 1500MHz – 2000MHz (2200+ to 2800+)

Barton (130 nm)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 512KiB, full speed
• MMX, 3DNow!, SSE
• Socket A (EV6)
• Front side bus: 166MHz – 200MHz (FSB 333 – 400)
• VCore: 1.6 – 1.65 V
• First release: September 17, 2004
• Clockrate: 2000–2200MHz (Sempron 3000+, Sempron 3300+)

Models for Socket 754

Paris (130 nm SOI )

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 256KiB, full speed
• MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2
• Enhanced Virus Protection (NX bit)
• Integrated 72-bit (Single channel, ECC capable) DDR memory controller
• Socket 754, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 1.4 V
• First release: July 28, 2004
• Clockrate: 1800MHz (3100+)
• Stepping: CG (Part No.: *AX)

Palermo (90 nm SOI)

• Early models (stepping D0) are downlabeled "Oakville" mobile Athlon64
• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 128/256KiB, full speed
• MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2
• SSE3 support on E3 and E6 steppings
• AMD64 on E6 stepping
• Cool'n'Quiet (Sempron 3000+ and higher)
• Enhanced Virus Protection (NX bit)
• Integrated 72-bit (Single channel, ECC capable) DDR memory controller
• Socket 754, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 1.4 V
• First release: February 2005
• Clockrate: 1400–2000MHz 128KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 2600+, 3000+, 3300+) 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 2500+, 2800+, 3100+, 3400+)
• Steppings: D0 (Part No.: *BA), E3 (Part No.: *BO), E6 (Part No.: *BX)

Models for Socket 939

Palermo (90 nm SOI)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 128/256KiB, full speed
• MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64 (E6 Steppings Only), Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 144-bit (Dual channel, ECC capable) DDR memory controller
• Socket 939, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 1.35/1.4 V
• First release: October 2005
• Clockrate: 1800–2000MHz 128KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 3000+, 3400+) 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 3200+, 3500+)
• Steppings: E3 (Part No.: *BP), E6 (Part No.: *BW)

Models for Socket AM2

Manila (90 nm SOI)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 128/256KiB, full speed
• MMX, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 128-bit (Dual channel) DDR2 memory controller
• Socket AM2, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 1.25/1.35/1.40 V (1.20/1.25 V for Energy Efficient SFF version)
• First release: May 23, 2006
• Clockrate: 1600–2200MHz 128KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 2800+, 3200+, 3500+) 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 3000+, 3400+, 3600+, 3800+)
• Stepping: F2 (Part No.: *CN, *CW)

Sparta (65 nm SOI)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 256/512KiB, full speed
• MMX, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 128-bit (Dual channel) DDR2 memory controller
• Socket AM2, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 1.20/1.40 V
• First release: August 20, 2007
• Clockrate: 1900–2300MHz 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron LE-1100, LE-1150) 512KiB L2-Cache (Sempron LE-1200, LE-1250, LE-1300)
• Stepping: G1 (Part No.: *DE), G2 (Part No.: *DP)

Brisbane (65 nm SOI)

Models for Socket AM3

Sargas (45 nm SOI)

• Chip harvests from Regor with one core disabled
• Core Speed (MHz) – 2600–2900
• Max Temps (C): 63
• VCore: 1.35 V
• TDP: 45 W
• L1 Cache Size (KB) 128
• L2 Cache Size (KB) 1024
• CPU Arch: 1 CPU – 1 Cores – 1 Threads
• CPU EXT: MMX(+) 3DNow!(+) SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSE4A x86-64 AMD-V, Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 128-bit (Dual Channel) DDR2 + DDR3 Memory Controller
• Socket AM3, 2000MHz HyperTransport
• Steppings: C2, C3

Models for Socket S1 (638)

Keene (90 nm SOI)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 256 or 512KiB, full speed
• MMX, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 128-bit (Dual channel) DDR2 memory controller
• Socket S1, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 0.950-1.25 V
• First release: May 17, 2006
• Clockrate: 1000–2000MHz 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 2100+, 3400+) 512KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 3200+, 3500+, 3600+)
• Stepping: F2 (Part No.: *CM)

Sable (65 nm SOI)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 512KiB, full speed
• MMX, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 128-bit (Dual channel) DDR2 memory controller
• Socket S1, 1600MHz HyperTransport
• VCore: 0.950-1.25 V
• First release: January 8, 2009
• Clockrate: 2000–2100MHz 25w 512KiB L2-Cache

Models for ASB1 package (BGA)

Huron (65 nm SOI)

• L1-Cache: 64 + 64KiB (Data + Instructions)
• L2-Cache: 256KiB, full speed
• MMX, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, Cool'n'Quiet, NX bit
• Integrated 128-bit (Dual channel) DDR2 memory controller
• ASB1 package, 800MHz HyperTransport
• VCore:?
• First release: January 8, 2009
• Clockrate: 1000–1500MHz 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 200U) 1000MHz TDP 8 W 256KiB L2-Cache (Sempron 210U) 1500MHz TDP 15 W
• Stepping:? (Part No.: *DV)

Models for Socket 754 32-bit Semprons

Models for Socket S1 (638) 64-bit Semprons

FM2/FM2+ Semprons

• Model 240, 3.3GHz/2.9GHz, 1MB cache, 65W
• Model 250, 3.6GHz/3.2GHz, 1MB cache, 65W, Piledriver microarchitecture, Richland core

Models for Socket AM1

Semprons without Cool'n'Quiet

AMD has released some Sempron processors without Cool'n'Quiet support. The following table describes those processors lacking Cool'n'Quiet.

See also

• List of AMD Sempron microprocessors

External links