Frequently Asked Questions about AMD AthlonXP

• Little or no system activity on power-up, or failure mid-way through the boot process is often an indication of incompatible memory. Always follow the recommendations of the motherboard manufacturer, since memory compatibility is dependent on the motherboard and chipset. Contact the motherboard manufacturer to determine what types of memory are supported.
  
  
• System boot failure may be caused by an inadequate or sub-standard power supply. For optimal performance, use a high quality power supply that meets the characteristics of industry standard market power supplies. AMD processor-based systems typically utilize the industry standard ATX/ATX12V power supply specifications. Choose a power supply that adheres to these specifications. Power supplies that do not meet these specifications, such as electrical specifications (typical power distributions, timing requirements, efficiency, output protection, etc.), may cause stability problems or even system failure.
  
  Careful consideration must be given to the total wattage of the power supply as well. The power supply must be capable of supplying enough power to meet the total combined power requirement of all system components, including the processor, motherboard, drives, adapter cards, and all other installed components. A system with many components will likely require a power supply with a higher total wattage rating than a basic system with a minimal number of components.
  
  
• System boot failure may occur if the BIOS is out-dated. Motherboard manufacturers will often release BIOS updates that can be downloaded and installed to resolve such issues. The process of updating, or flashing, the BIOS will vary from motherboard to motherboard, so it is important that information on BIOS updates and instructions be obtained from the manufacturer of the motherboard. BIOS updates are motherboard make, model, and revision specific, and often require special flashing utilities from the motherboard manufacturer. NOTE: Flashing a BIOS with the wrong update, or failure to follow the motherboard manufacturer's instructions can permanently disable the motherboard!
  
  
• An incorrectly configured BIOS or incorrect jumper settings can cause a system to fail on boot-up. For information on correct BIOS and jumper settings, refer to the motherboard manual, or contact the motherboard manufacturer.
  
  
• System boot failure, as well as continual system resets, may be caused by an improperly installed motherboard or components. There should be no contact between the motherboard and the case, other than the standoffs. Any additional contact could create a short circuit, resulting in unpredictable performance and possible damage to system components. Memory modules and expansion cards should be seated completely in their slots. If problems persist, reseat these components in different slots.
  
  
• Finally, system boot failure can be caused by defective hardware (motherboard, power supply, processor, etc.). In such cases, it may be best to have the system examined by a trained technician.
  

What is the maximum operating temperature of my AMD Athlon™ XP Processor?

Solution
AMD Athlon™ XP Processor Specifications
The operating specifications of an AMD Athlon™ XP processor can be determined by the processor's Ordering Part Number (OPN). The OPN is located on the processor. For current OPN details and valid OPN combinations, see the chapter entitled "Ordering Information" in the processor's data sheet, which can be downloaded from the Technical Documents page for the AMD Athlon XP Processor. OPN examples for AMD Athlon XP processors model 6 ("Palomino") and model 8 ("Thoroughbred") are included below.



General Processor information on AMD Athlon XP processor specifications is included below as well, which may be used if the processor's OPN is not visible, or is inaccessible. However, in some instances, the OPN is required to determine the proper specifications. For the most current, detailed information, refer to the processor's data sheet, which can be downloaded from the Technical Documents page for the AMD Athlon XP Processor.

Note: The operating temperature of a processor is highly dependent on the induced workload, ambient temperature, and the efficiency of the cooling sub-system. However, the operating temperature should never exceed the processor's specified maximum operating temperature rating. For optimal performance, use a heatsink solution evaluated and recommended by AMD. A list of these recommended solutions is available on AMD's Thermal Solutions page for the AMD Athlon XP processor.

OPN Example for AMD Athlon XP Model 6 Processor ("Palomino")

A X 2100 D M T 3 C
A	Family/Architecture: A=AMD Athlon™ Family Processor Architecture
X	Generation: X=High-Performance Desktop Processor (AMD Athlon™ XP Processor)
D	Package Type: D=OPGA
M	Operating Voltage: M=1.75V
T	Die Temperature: T=90 Degrees Celsius
3	Size of L2 Cache: 3=256Kbytes
C	Max FSB: C=266MHz

OPN Example for AMD Athlon XP Model 8 Processor ("Thoroughbred")

AXD A 2700 D K V 3 D
AXD	Architecture Segment: AXD=AMD Athlon™ XP Processor Model 8
A	Maximum Power: A=Desktop Processor
D	Package Type: D=OPGA
K	Operating Voltage: L=1.50V, U=1.60V, K=1.65V
V	Die Temperature: T=90 Degrees Celsius, V=85 Degrees Celsius
3	Size of L2 Cache: 3=256Kbytes
D	Max FSB: C=266MHz, D=333MHz

General Processor Information