Motherboards are a key component to any computer system.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is second only to Intel in making computer chips for Microsoft Windows, Linux and other desktop systems. Unlike Intel, AMD doesn't make its own motherboards but creates chips for other manufacturers' motherboards. We'll look at some notable AMD platforms.
Company
AMD was founded in 1969 in Sunnyvale, California, in the heart of "Silicon Valley." Most of its founders came from Fairchild Semiconductors, and the company's first products were logic chips. Later, AMD started making random-access memory (RAM) chips. In 1975, it reverse-engineered the Intel 8080 microprocessor, which represented AMD's first step into the IBM-compatible personal computer arena.
Notable Chips
In 2003, AMD introduced its Athlon 64 chip. This was the first 64-bit chip designed to run the "x86" instruction set required by Microsoft Windows. At the time, Intel was trying to promote a different 64-bit architecture, arguing that the greater address space provided by 64-bit instructions required reworking from the ground up. However, systems with the Athlon 64 chip were soon outselling Intel desktops, so Intel was forced to introduce a 64-bit x86 chip to compete. In 2005, AMD introduced its first dual-core 64-bit chip, the Athlon 64 X2.
Compatible Motherboards
Most current AMD motherboards are centered around the Athlon II chip with two to four cores and the Phenom II chip with two to six cores. The most widely used motherboards for these platforms are made by ASUS, MSi or Gigabyte. When shopping for a motherboard, make sure it has the same "socket" type as the chip you are buying. Newer AMD chips use the AM3 or AM3+ socket type.
Future
As of 2011, AMD plans to make two new chip families, Bulldozer and Enhanced Bulldozer. These are designed to enhance the changes associated with the company's Fusion chip. With its purchase of chipmaker ATi, AMD has also been working to make use of that company's technologies.
Tags: 64-bit chip, Athlon chip, chip with, Microsoft Windows, socket type