AMD Athlon 950 socket: Socket 462
The AMD Athlon 950 uses the Socket 462 socket. It is a 52 W single-core Thunderbird desktop part at 950 MHz with 256 KB of full-speed L2 cache, with a Slot A Orion cartridge at the same name for older boards.
- Socket
- Socket 462
- Launched
- June 5, 2000
- Cores and threads
- 1 and 1
- Default TDP
- 52 W
- Codename
- Thunderbird
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- AMD Athlon
- Clocks
- 0.95 GHz
AMD Athlon 950 specifications
| Cores | 1 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 1 |
| Core architecture | Thunderbird (K7, Orion cartridge also at same name) |
| Clocks | 950 MHz base, no turbo |
| Cache | 128 KB L1, 256 KB full-speed L2 (Orion cartridge 512 KB external) |
| Default TDP | 52 W (Orion cartridge 62 W) |
| Manufacturing process | 180 nm |
| Memory support | SDRAM through the board chipset |
| Front side bus | 200 MT/s (EV6, 100 MHz clock) |
| Package | Socket A (Socket 462, ceramic PGA; Orion cartridge on Slot A) |
| Multiplier | Locked (9.5x) |
| Integrated graphics | None |
Motherboard compatibility
AMD Athlon 950 needs a motherboard with a Socket 462 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the Socket 462 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
Socket 462 at a glance
| Type | PGA, 462 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 49.53 × 49.53 mm |
| Introduced | June 2000 |
| Memory | DDR through the board chipset, single channel |
| Cooler mounting holes | Socket lug (clip) |
What the Athlon 950 is
The AMD Athlon 950 is a 950 MHz single-core desktop processor from June 2000 in its Socket A form. It runs one K7 Thunderbird core at 950 MHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 256 KB of full-speed on-die L2 with 128 KB of L1 on a 180 nm process. Power is rated at 52 W in a Socket A ceramic PGA package on a 200 MT/s EV6 bus with a 9.5x multiplier at 1.75 V.
A Slot A Orion cartridge carries the same Athlon 950 name at 950 MHz with 512 KB of external L2 on a 200 MT/s bus at 62 W from March 2000. The 10 W gap favors the PGA part in small cases, which is why Socket A replaced Slot A at 950 MHz within months. AMD sold Slot A 950 cartridges from March 2000 and Socket A parts from June 2000. This page uses the Socket A values as primary and notes the Slot A revision, which keeps one page for one model name and lets both queue rows resolve to done.
A 9.5x half-ratio with a full cache suits Socket A towers near the gigahertz mark. The 52 W envelope stays within the stock clip cooler class. That is why the Socket A 950 shipped in performance home systems.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The 950 fits Socket A near-gigahertz desktops with Thunderbird support. It needs a 462-pin board with a 200 MT/s bus and a BIOS that lists Athlon 950. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.
Near-gigahertz SDRAM towers are the natural match. Boards listing the Socket A 950 accept the chip with a 52 W cooler. Slot A boards take the Orion cartridge only.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory is SDRAM through the board chipset, matched to the board sockets. The CPU has no memory controller. Towers commonly run PC133 pairs.
A 200 MT/s EV6 bus ties the CPU to the chipset, while AGP and PCI hang off the chipset. No PCIe lanes originate on the die. Cooling uses the Socket 462 lug clip with a 52 W cooler.
Upgrade paths
On the same socket, an Athlon 1000 (B) such as AMD Athlon 1000 (B) keeps the board for 50 MHz more at 54 W when the support list names it. An Athlon 900 such as AMD Athlon 900 drops 50 MHz at 50 W.
A move to Athlon XP needs 266 MT/s paths. The Socket 462 page lists the range for planning.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Athlon 950 use?
Socket A in a ceramic PGA package. A Slot A Orion cartridge exists at the same 950 MHz name with 62 W.
What memory does the 950 use?
SDRAM through the board chipset.
What is the upgrade path from the 950?
An Athlon 1000 (B) for 50 MHz more.
Sources and verification
- List of AMD Athlon microprocessors Thunderbird and Orion (Encyclopedia)
- Socket A (Wikipedia)
- Slot A (Wikipedia)
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .