The processor arrives in a black box which seems literally seething with power, and the tarantula depicted is one of AMD's mascots. The specs do not reveal the difference compared to the old model. The nominal frequency is 2.6 GHz, just like the old 5000+, and is based on the Brisbane core. It has a total of 1 MB of L2 cache (512 KB per core). The first notable difference between the two is in the Black Edition suffix. That small advantage is what brings enormous difference in potential. This CPU has an unlocked multiplier, which is a thing previously available only on the Athlon64 FX line of CPUs. The other advantage to previously seen AMD CPUs is the improved production process – this is the “stepping 2” production.

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