Hi kimchi,
Aside from the 939 having fewer pins than the 940, there aren't alot
of differences, the most important being the unbuffered DDR SDRAM (939
- gamer) versus the registered RAM (940 - workstation). You'll find
good comparison tables at the following websites...
How Socket 939 is Different:
"Fundamentally, Socket 939 is not all that different from Socket 940.
It's a CPU socket for Athlon 64 processors with 128-bit memory
interfaces (the memory controller is built into Athlon 64 CPUs and
thus they require a heck of a lot of pins). The chief difference is
that the new 939 socket uses typical unbuffered DDR SDRAM, where the
940 used registered RAM. That's it, that's the big difference. The pin
layout is not perfectly identical--you can't just snip off a pin on
your socket 940 CPU and plug it into a 939 motherboard. Still, it's a
pretty simple and welcome, change. After all, unbuffered RAM is more
common, cheaper, and faster."
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1603528,00.asp
Socket 940 vs. 939: Full Review:
"It's pretty much six of one half dozen of the other isn't it? Between
the FX-53 Socket 939/940 processors there are only two differences.
The first is that Socket 940 requires Registered memory and Socket 939
doesn't. The second is that the Socket 940 FX-53 has less effective
data bandwidth. It comes in at up to 12.8 GB/s versus up to 14.4 GB/s
with the Socket 939 FX-53. The only obvious difference between the
Socket 939 FX-53 and the 3800+ is 512 KB of L2 cache."
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=247
Socket 940 vs. 939: At a glance:
"So now it's clearer to see that a Socket 939 FX-53 processor would
make for a formidable gaming system but a Socket 940 FX-53 would make
for a very powerful single processor workstation. Each has their
useful niche and, when all things are considered. The choice must be
made between saving on purchase of a system that uses unbuffered
memory to only spend that savings in downtime and re-done projects.
The variable of Opteron has not been introduced at this time."
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=247&p=2
Final Thoughts/What to Buy:
"Sometimes the move away from registered RAM creates a measurable
performance difference, especially in games and some synthetic CPU
tests. Other times the difference is so slight it's unimportant. But
the CPU itself is pretty much unchanged ? it doesn't cost any more
than it did in socket 940 form ? and the RAM should cost less. More
performance at reduced cost, even if only under some situations, is
always a good thing."
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1603569,00.asp
I hope the above links help to sort out the differences - if you have
any questions, please post a clarification request before
closing/rating my answer and I'll be happy to reply.
Thank you,
hummer
Google Search Terms Used:
socket 939 940 |
