Although the launch of the Socket AM2 platform is scheduled for June, OEM manufacturers will start receiving them on May 15, 2006. In other words, there is only one month left before the first Socket AM2 processors are out in the market. So, some distributors can already start taking orders for these processors.

Looks like you can already pre-order Socket AM2 processors in some online stores, even though they are still not in stock. Nevertheless, we can already take a closer look at the markings of most processor models with this type of Socket.

Since the technical features of the processors haven’t really changed with the introduction of DDR2-800 support, most of the letters used in the processor marking remained the same. For example, the Socket AM2 version of Athlon 64 X2 4800+ will be marked as ADA4800IAA6CS . The letter “I” following the digital part of the marking indicates that this is a Socket AM2 processor. The “AA” letters after that say that the Vcore will be different for each processor (1.35V or 1.4V), as well as the peak case temperature. The number “6” stands for the 2x1MB L2 cache and “CS” letters mark the Fx Windsor core stepping with the corresponding cache level. The boxed CPU model will be marked as ADA4800CSBOX .

Note that processors featuring 2x512KB cache will have different letter marking: “CU”. For instance, Athlon 64 X2 4200+ CPU designed in Socket AM2 form-factor will be marked as ADA4200IAA5CU . The boxed version of the same model will be marked as ADA4200CUBOX .

Single-core Socket AM2 processors will also acquire their own unique markings. Only the stepping will remain the same for both: Athlon 64 and Sempron processors. At least Orleans and Manila cores will have identical markings: ADA3800CN BOX and SDA3400CN BOX . The OEM version of Sempron 3400+ processor will be marked as SDA3400IAA3CN , while the processor with 128KB cache, such as Sempron 2800+ for example, will be marked as SDA2800IAA2CN . As a result, Athlon 64 3800+ processor designed in Socket AM2 form-factor may be marked as ADA3800IAA4CN .

This is a pretty simple marking algorithm. If you ever come across markings like that in processor price-lists, you will be absolutely certain that the items indicate Socket AM2 form-factor. You should remember however that AMD will also have Energy Efficient CPU modifications, and these guys may have slightly different markings.