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?? Winchester ??
what are these winchester athlon 64 cpus im hearing about? all this 90nm is beyond me!
is it faster?
if i buy an athlon 64 3500 (which im hoping to do next friday - payday :)) will it be one of these by default? or do i have to hunt it down (costing extra?)
excuse me if this seems like a stupid question, but curiosity did kill the cat...
cheers
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The current A64s are made using 130nm technology. There is a new stepping coming along using 90nm technology which may be superior.
I would wait if you can just a few weeks. The options will be much better and you are more likely to get a 90 nm A64. The most interesting combination will be an n-force 4 mobo with a PCI express GT6800 and a cheap 90nm Winchester (3200).
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90nm (Winchester) socket 939 chips are already on sale in the US & should be here within days (if not already).
Unless you specifically order a 90nm chip the chances of you getting 1 ex. stock are effectively nil. They are supposed to be priced the same as 130nm chips but may initially attract a small premium.
What is really interesting is that they also introduced 3000+, 3200+ socket 939 Winchester chips - these will save you a few £ but overclock pretty much as well as their bigger brothers.
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=230
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The 90nm draw less power than the 130nm parts. Lower electricity bills, less demanding on the PSU, lower cooling requirements, increased overclock potential. The performance is the same at stock ie whatever the rated speed.