What is AMD K6-3?
| PROCESSOR SPECIFICATIONS | ||
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| Manufacturer: | AMD | |
| Model: | K6-3 | |
| Year: | 1998 | |
| Transistors: | 21,300,000 | |
| Microns: | 0.25µ | |
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The AMD K6 III builds upon the proven core of its K6 and K6-2 predecessors. It incorporates the new "3Dnow!" instructions which were introduced in the summer of 1998 with the K6-2. Where the K6 III is different is that it sees its level 2 cache memory integrated directly onto the processor core. This is unlike earlier versions of the K6 family which have their level 2 cache located on the motherboard running at bus speeds of 66, 95 & 100 MHz. The impact of the K6 III having 256 Kb of level 2 cache running at full clock speed are considerable. The chip's impressive integer performance is boosted to levels comparable with the Intel Pentium III 500 for this chip running at only 400 MHz. Obviously this has had the same effect upon the K6 III as the integrated cache had on the Celeron, turning it from a dismal performer to one of the best processor buys almost overnight. Unfortunately the K6 III can not boast Pentium III levels of performance as regards its floating point math performance. Sadly this lags far behind the superb pipelined FPU of Intel processors. Certainly the addition of 3Dnow! has had a huge impact and is an example of some extremely clever design from AMD, but it does need optimised software and at best can only equal the superb FPU of its Intel counterparts. The big advantage (for some) is that it uses the Super Socket 7 motherboard form factor. This couples some extremely affordable motherboards to what is the closest rival to the Pentium III. It also means that existing Super Socket 7 owners have a VERY nice upgrade path open to them. Obviously AMD doesn't want its buyers to start looking at the Slot 1/Socket 370 path for upgrades. The arrival of the K6 III has been one of the most eagerly awaited processor releases of recent monthes. AMD has become very good at generating a near level of hysteria for each and every one of its new designs. Well now it is here, what can we say? Well the launch of the K6 III was something of a disappointment. It has been nearly two monthes since the chip was launched and supply reaching the UK has been very poor indeed. This has helped to keep prices high which is something of a minus against the K6 III. Expect this situation to change once supply is no longer an issue. As regards performance the K6 III is very good indeed. It easily outperforms its K6-2 sibling and even manages to put Intel's Pentium III and celeron to shame for everyday functions. It's in the role as a games and multi-media processor does this chip show its achillies heel. That is of course its poor floating point performance. This is probably the one area of the K6 family which has shown the least improvement. What was acceptable against the Pentium MMX is no longer good enough against the Pentium II / III and Celeron processors and this is a serious mark against the AMD offering. We feel that this is a shame as the K6 III deserves to be the best processor on sale. We have to wait for the K7 to see this problem rectified. The only other area of concern as regards the K6 III is in that Super Socket 7 is not the most reliable platform currently available. This obviously is not the fault of AMD but is does need to be bourn in mind when purchasing a K6 III system. |
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