AMD Athlon XP 1500+ socket: Socket 462

What the Athlon XP 1500+ is

The AMD Athlon XP 1500+ is a 1333 MHz single-core desktop processor from October 2001. It runs one K7 Palomino core at 1333 MHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 256 KB of L2 on a 180 nm process. Power is rated at 60 W in a Socket 462 package with part number AX1500DMT3C on a 266 MT/s front side bus with a 10x multiplier at 1.75 V. The cpu_list October 2001 date matches the table October 9, 2001, and the monthly value is used here.

Palomino opens the Athlon XP line with Model 6 180 nm parts, where the 1500+ rating compares the chip to Thunderbird baselines while the true frequency stays at 1333 MHz. AMD placed it in October 2001 with the 1600+ to 1900+ Palomino parts. The chip supports MMX, SSE and Enhanced 3DNow.

Model numbers that exceed megahertz confuse first-time buyers. The 1500+ at 1333 MHz shares clocks with Thunderbird 1333 parts, yet the Palomino stepping adds SSE support and different power handling. That is why board lists name Palomino explicitly despite matching frequency.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Athlon XP 1500+ Palomino fits Socket 462 DDR boards with a 266 MT/s bus and Palomino support. It needs Model 6 microcode. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Early DDR towers are the natural match. Boards listing Palomino 1500+ accept the chip with a 60 W cooler.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR through the board chipset in a single channel, matched to the 266 MT/s bus. The CPU has no controller.

A 266 MT/s 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 lug clip with a 60 W heatsink.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 462 the steps are Palomino 1600+ and 1700+ parts. Thoroughbred 1700+ parts offer similar clocks at lower power on 130 nm. Beyond Socket 462 a move to Socket 754 needs a new board. The 1500+ lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.