AMD Confidential

User Manual

November 21st, 2008

1 Overview

The AMD SimNow™ simulator is an AMD64 technology-compatible x86 platform simulator for AMD's family of processors. It is designed to provide an accurate model of a computer system from the program, OS, and programmer's point of view. It allows fast simulation of an entire computer system, plus standard debugging features such as break- pointing, memory-viewing, and single-stepping. The simulator allows such work as BIOS and OS development, memory-parameter tuning, and multi-processor system simulation.

Section 2.1, “System Requirements”, on page 3 describes supported host Operating Systems. Section A.3, “Supported Guest Operating Systems”, on page 180 describes supported guest Operating Systems.

The simulator has between a 10:1 and 100:1 slowdown rate from the host CPU, depending on whether the workload is in the CPU core or accessing simulated devices intensively.

The simulator is designed to create an accurate model of a system from the program‟s view. Device models contain all the program-visible state but the actual functionality is abstracted. In many cases only the functionality needed to satisfy the software is implemented. Software may be run on the simulator in an unmodified form. This includes BIOS, drivers, O/S, and applications.

The simulator has a concept of time, but it is not a cycle-accurate simulator. The basic timing mechanism is an instruction; all instructions execute in the same amount of time and are one tick in length. This "tick" time is scaled and used by the rest of the system. Long-latency events, like disk or floppy access, have some minimum latency built in because we found legacy software that relied on the physical latency of these peripherals.

The simulator contains all the classic pieces of a PC system (CPU, memory, Northbridge, Southbridge, display, IDE drives, floppy, keyboard, and mouse support). Images (hard disk, DVD/CD-ROM, and floppy) can be created in custom sizes with the DiskTool program (Section 13, “DiskTool”, on page 161) that is provided with the simulator. A simulation can be saved at any point in the simulation to a media file, from which the simulation can be re-run at a later time.

A simple diagnostic port model (known as "Port80" device) displays values written by the BIOS in a pane of the simulator's main window. Other panes display guest (simulated machine) and simulator host processor times. The simulator requires several files to be specified. Binary files containing the BIOS and disk images are stored in the images directory. The simulator home directory stores “*.bsd” files which contain the configuration of the system (how models are connected together and their settings) and the logical state of all the devices in the simulator. When starting a simulation from reset, the “*.bsd” file is rather small and only contains the configuration information. When the simulation starts, the simulated memory is allocated. When the simulation is halted and

Chapter 1: Overview

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AMD 4.4.5 user manual Overview
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4.4.5 specifications

AMD 4.4.5 is a robust version of the AMD software ecosystem that focuses on enhanced performance, stability, and efficiency for users relying on AMD processors and graphics cards. This iteration brings various features and technologies designed to optimize gaming, professional applications, and general computing tasks.

One of the standout enhancements in AMD 4.4.5 is the integration of Smart Access Memory technology, which allows the CPU to access the full graphics memory directly. This feature enhances data flow between the CPU and GPU, leading to improved frame rates and overall performance, especially in memory-intensive games. Users can experience a marked increase in gaming performance without the need for additional hardware upgrades.

Another significant feature introduced is the updated Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition. This software update encompasses optimizations for various games, ensuring that gamers can enjoy a seamless experience with the latest titles. The Adrenalin interface also provides features such as Radeon Chill, which helps reduce power consumption during less demanding scenes, and Radeon Anti-Lag, designed to minimize input lag and enhance responsiveness in competitive gaming.

Additionally, AMD 4.4.5 brings the latest drivers that include important performance enhancements and bug fixes that allow for greater system stability. Regular updates ensure that users have the best experience with their AMD hardware, and it significantly bolsters compatibility with the latest gaming titles and software applications.

AMD's Enhanced Sync technology offers users the ability to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering while delivering smooth gameplay. It dynamically synchronizes the refresh rate of the display with the frame rates produced by the GPU, improving the visual experience significantly.

With the introduction of FidelityFX Super Resolution, AMD continues to bolster its suite of technologies that enhance graphics quality and performance. This feature allows lower-resolution images to be upscaled effectively, making it easier for users to enjoy high-end visuals without taxing their hardware excessively.

In summary, AMD 4.4.5 represents a comprehensive update for users by integrating cutting-edge technologies that cater to a wide range of applications from gaming to content creation. With enhancements across the board, AMD reaffirms its commitment to providing high-performance solutions that keep pace with the ever-evolving technology landscape. Whether for gaming aficionados or professional creators, the capabilities offered in this version make it a significant milestone in the AMD software ecosystem.
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