Product Reviews

The launch of a budget processor doesn't usually meet with much fanfare, especially when it is based on older technology. However, AMD's Sempron 3400+, which is based on Socket 754, is different.

While previous models in the range were essentially 32-bit Athlon XPs, the Sempron 3400+ has been upgraded so that it supports 64-bit instructions. It also has an upgraded and more efficient memory controller

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and uses a 90nm fabrication process. It's not quite an Athlon 64, though; the Sempron 3400+ has just 256KB of Level 2 cache and the Athlon 64 has at least twice this.

Things also get a little confusing when trying to compare the Sempron 3400+, which has a 2GHz core speed, against other processors in the range. The model number doesn't compare directly against Athlon 64s; instead the Sempron 3400+ has performance similar to the Athlon 64 3000+.

We tested the 3400+ on an ECS nForce4-A754 motherboard. Scores of 115 in Shopper's application benchmarks and 3,980 in PCMark04 show it's a reasonable performer. With the cost of Socket 754 motherboards at an all-time low, it would do well in a low-budget desktop PC.

We have some concerns, though. First, the Socket 754 platform doesn't offer an upgrade path. Second, a full-blown Socket 754 Athlon 64 3400+ can be bought for just £20 more. It leaves us wishing that the Sempron 3400+ was just a bit cheaper to tempt buyers on a budget.