EXTRAS: AMD CPU FAQs

Description: Frequently asked questions about AMD CPUs with the AM3 and AM3+ chipset.

Q: How to install an AMD CPU:

A: Have your CPU and Motherboard ready to install the CPU into. Make sure that there is no dust in the CPU socket - you can use a can of compressed air to carefully clean out the CPU socket - it is important to be very careful not to bend any of the hundreds of pins in the socket. Notice the arrow in the upper left corner of your CPU. It will match the same corner of the motherboard. Place the CPU into the CPU socket so the arrows line up. Close the CPU retaining cover, making sure the front clip is secured below the screw head. Move the locking arm down to secure the font clip under the screw head, the locking arm will go under the extended piece of metal to hold it down. Your CPU is now installed into the socket and is ready for you to apply the appropriate thermal paste and CPU cooler assembly. It is important to NOT power up the system until you have proper cooling for the CPU in place.

Q: How to apply thermal paste to your CPU:

A: First install your CPU. Next squeeze out just a small amount of thermal paste in the center of your CPU - it should be about the size of a small pea or a BB. You want to make sure you do not put more than this on the CPU. When you put the CPU cooler on it will now spread out over the CPU to allow proper heat dissipation.

Q: What is AMD Turbo CORE Technology?

A: With the release of the six-core Phenom II X6 (Thuban) and the FX (Bulldozer) processors came its automated overclocking system, Turbo Core. When you are using applications on your computer most of the time one or two cores will do all the work while the other ones just stay dormant. When three or more of the cores in the CPU are not being used the CPU will automatically slow down the clock speed of the cores to around 500 MHz. This will not only save power on your computer but it will allow you to put the power where it is needed. When you do start using a program that requires a lot of CPU power it will select certain cores of your CPU then overclock them automatically. This depends on the number of threads and the temperature state of the CPU. The clock frequency will adjust to better handle what tasks you are asking it to do.

Q: What is special about Black Edition processors?

A: AMD has come out with its Black Edition processors that allow more customization in processor speed by unlocking them out of the box. This means that they are exactly the same as non-Black Editions CPUs except that all of the cores are unlocked for maximum overclocking ability. Users can adjust the processor's speed in the BIOS of the computer by modifying either the base clock rate or the multiplier. Increasing either of these could cause problems if overdone, but is safe within certain parameters. Also, these CPUs don't come with fans, so customers would need to purchase a fan separately themselves.

Q: What is Hyper Transport?

A: The AMD© HyperTransport technology is designed for processors to connect directly to peripheral devices. This allows information from the processor to go directly to a peripheral item without going through the memory on the computer or other areas on the motherboard. This works with peripherals connected by USB, Firewire, video ports, audio ports, and the PCI expansion slots on the motherboard. This allows the computer to send data to a peripheral at significantly faster speeds compared to previous methods. This allows printing to be faster as well as syncing the computer with an MP3, tablets, and phones. It reduces the delay for web cameras allowing for smoother viewing, and removing the delay or reducing the interruption for microphones. HyperTransport Technology helps reduce the number of buses in a system, which can reduce system bottlenecks and enable today's faster microprocessors to use system memory more efficiently in high-end multiprocessor systems. HyperTransport technology was invented by and is exclusively used by AMD©.