AMD Athlon 950
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
AMD Athlon 950 Specifications
Athlon 950 Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD Athlon 950 features 1 physical cores and 1 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Athlon 950 Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Athlon 950 benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Athlon 950 by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's Athlon 950 Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Athlon 950 processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Athlon 950's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
K10 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Athlon 950 is built on AMD's 180 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Athlon 950 incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
K10 Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Athlon 950 by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Athlon 950 Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD Athlon 950 has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 62W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Slot A Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Athlon 950 uses the AMD Slot A socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Slot A Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Athlon 950 define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Athlon 950 determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Athlon 950 Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Athlon 950 is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Athlon 950 by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
Athlon 950 Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About AMD Athlon 950
The AMD Athlon 950, built on a 180 nm process, was a high-performance single-threaded champion for its era. With a base clock speed of 950 MHz and no boost frequency, its performance was entirely dependent on its pure clock rate. This processor's single-core, single-thread design meant it excelled in applications that were not optimized for parallelism. Its architecture prioritized raw speed for a single task, making it a formidable CPU for contemporary gaming and business software. The thermal design power of 62W was competitive, reflecting a balance between performance and power consumption for the time.
The cache configuration of the Athlon 950 (AMD) was a key factor in its responsiveness. It featured a robust 128 KB of dedicated L1 cache, split between 64 KB for instructions and 64 KB for data. The critical L2 cache, however, was located externally on the cartridge, operating at either half or a third of the core speed depending on the module. This arrangement, while common for Slot A processors, created a performance bottleneck compared to full-speed on-die cache designs that would emerge later. There was no L3 cache present on this generation of CPU.
Thermal management for the Athlon 950 was a significant consideration due to its relatively high clock speed for the year 2000. The 62W TDP required a capable cooling solution to maintain stability, especially as overclocking became popular among enthusiasts. AMD's Slot A design incorporated a large heatsink and fan assembly that was integral to the processor cartridge itself. This ensured that the chip, codenamed "Orion," could reliably deliver its full performance without thermal throttling.
When considering the best applications for this processor, its strengths were clear in specific late-90s and early-2000s workloads.
- Single-threaded games like Quake III Arena and Unreal Tournament benefited greatly from its high clock speed.
- General desktop productivity tasks, including office suites and web browsing of the era, were handled with ease.
- It was capable of running demanding creative software like Adobe Photoshop for basic to intermediate image editing.
- The AMD Athlon 950 was also a solid choice for entry-level content creation, such as MP3 encoding.
The Intel Equivalent of Athlon 950
Looking for a similar processor from Intel? The Intel Core i5-750 offers comparable performance and features in the Intel lineup.
Popular AMD Athlon 950 Comparisons
See how the Athlon 950 stacks up against similar processors from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare Athlon 950 with Other CPUs
Select another CPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse CPUs