Data prefetch essentially tries to predict the data that the processor will need and then loads it into the data cache. This type of performance enhancement can pay dividends with higher performance and it is a core element of the Pentium 4 design. This portion of the enhanced Morgan core is expected to contribute the most to any increased CPU performance, especially since it has a potential effect across all games and applications.

AMD has also added 52 new instructions to their SIMD set, and now calls it 3DNow! Professional. What this essentially does is make the new Duron models SSE-compatible and put them on equal footing with competitive Intel Celeron and Pentium III processors. Although most programs are not SSE-enhanced, games such as Quake 3 should run faster. When you boot the game with the Duron 1.1 GHz installed, it does display Pentium III Optimizations as being enabled.

With Intel running willy-nilly from one platform to another, it is refreshing to see AMD really sticking with Socket A. This commitment not only achieves a higher level of consumer loyalty, but also allows both individuals and businesses to attain a high level of standardization with their PC equipment. For the enthusiast, this also translates into an incredibly long upgrade path.

Although there will be specific platforms targeted to the Duron, there should really only be a BIOS update needed to run this newer processor. Several motherboard manufacturers already have BIOS updates available online and others have built Morgan/Palomino support into previous releases. Multiplier and core voltage support will likely already be present in most current Socket A motherboards, but the main reason for using an updated BIOS is to ensure that the enhanced features of the Morgan (such as Data Prefetch and SSE) are supported and then identified to operating system.

In our previous review of the Duron 1 GHz, we attempted to answer the question of whether the new and improved Duron core could best the Athlon in benchmark testing. The performance crown went to the Athlon 1 GHz, which surpassed the Duron 1 GHz scores across the board. Due to this, it would be a bit unfair to match the Duron 1.1 GHz up against the Athlon 1.1 GHz, since we already know where that would end up.

This time out we're taking a slightly different angle and seeing exactly what kind of performance advantage the Duron 1.1 GHz has over its 1 GHz brethren, as well as including Athlon 1 GHz scores for comparison. This should answer the open question of whether the Duron at 1.1 GHz can finally outperform the Athlon at 1 GHz. To round out the participants, we have also selected a standard Duron 950, as well as an overclocked Duron running at 1 GHz.

Each of these reference processors runs on the same 200 MHz FSB, so we can easily compare benchmarks based purely on processor speed, rather than complicating scores performed using a higher system bus. The memory speed for each test configuration was set to 133 MHz (CL2) to match the standard setting for a VIA platform. In addition, to facilitate the additional 3DNow! instruction set of the Duron 1.1 GHz, a fresh install of both Win 98 and Win 2K was performed prior to testing, as well as a second refresh for the group of non-SSE Athlon and Duron processor tests.