AMD Athlon 64 3300+ socket: Socket 754

What the Athlon 64 3300+ is

The AMD Athlon 64 3300+ is a 2.4 GHz single-core desktop processor from April 2004. It runs one K8 core at 2.4 GHz with no turbo, so 1 core gives 1 thread. Cache is 256 KB of L2 with 64 KB of L1 instruction and 64 KB of L1 data cache on a 130 nm process. Power is rated at 89 W in a Socket 754 package with part number ADA3300AEP3AX.

Newcastle marks the CG stepping refresh of Clawhammer on Socket 754, trimming die size while keeping the 130 nm base. The 3300+ uses a 200 MHz system clock with a 12x multiplier at 1.50 V and an 800 MHz HyperTransport link. AMD sold it mainly through HP and IBM systems and as an OEM chip, rather than as a boxed retail part. That OEM focus explains why the 3300+ appears in system maker lists more often than in retail price lists. The chip supports MMX, SSE, SSE2, Enhanced 3DNow, NX bit and AMD64 with CoolnQuiet control.

Cache separates the 3300+ from nearby Newcastle parts. The 3400+ Newcastle at 2.4 GHz carries 512 KB, doubling the 256 KB on the 3300+ at the same clocks. That difference shows in cache sensitive tasks, where the 3400+ pulls ahead despite identical frequency and power. Buyers who found the 3300+ in an OEM tower received 2.4 GHz throughput with a smaller cache, which suited office use and mainstream media playback.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 3300+ fits Socket 754 desktops with DDR memory and a BIOS that lists Newcastle parts. It needs a 754-pin board with single channel DDR slots, not a Socket 939 board with dual channel slots. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

OEM DDR towers with AGP graphics are the natural match, since HP and IBM shipped the part in complete systems. Retail Socket 754 boards that list Newcastle 3300+ normally accept the chip with the same 89 W cooler class as Clawhammer parts. Late Venice BIOS coverage is board specific, so the maker list decides whether a 90 nm part also boots. Forcing the chip into Socket 939 can bend pins.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR through the on-chip controller in a single channel. Boards take up to three unbuffered DIMMs, with the controller setting speed and timing. The 256 KB L2 keeps less working data on die than 512 KB and 1 MB neighbours, so memory speed matters slightly more at the same 2.4 GHz clock.

An 800 MHz HyperTransport link ties the CPU to the chipset, while AGP or PCIe slots hang off the chipset for graphics. No PCIe lanes originate on the processor. Cooling uses two-hole heatsinks at 90 mm spacing rated for 89 W. CoolnQuiet lowers clocks at idle, which keeps OEM towers quiet in office use with normal airflow and fresh paste.

Upgrade paths

On Socket 754 the direct steps are the Athlon 64 3400+ Newcastle at 2.4 GHz with 512 KB and the 3400+ Clawhammer at 2.2 GHz with 1 MB, both sharing the socket and power envelope. The 3200+ Newcastle at 2.2 GHz offers a slower clock with the same 512 KB where listed. Beyond Socket 754 a move to Socket 939 needs a new board with dual channel DDR, with Winchester and Venice 3000+ parts as successors. A move to Socket AM2 needs DDR2 memory. The 3300+ lifts with the lever, so swaps need no solder work.