Phenom II X4 955: AMD's Dragon Platform Evolves

[marraco]

I would like to see the 10% slower framerates, in benchmarks. since they are the experience ruiners in gaming.

 

[Guest]

The page claims that the phenomII can go on a standard AM2 socket... is that true ? last I checked past Phenom9950 am2+ is required.

 

[megamanx00]

The 955 isn't looking too bad. Even though I ordered the 92mm XIGMATEK Rifle CPU Cooler to push my 5000+ a little further I'll probably be putting in a faster Phenom II in a few months. The 940 is already at a pretty good price, but I just want a quad core AM3 CPU . Figure that way latter on I can upgrade my board and RAM latter while still keeping the AM3 955. I'd buy it now, but replacing my aging laptop and those pesky car repairs came first .

 

[apmyhr]

[citation][nom]coolit[/nom]The page claims that the phenomII can go on a standard AM2 socket... is that true ? last I checked past Phenom9950 am2+ is required.[/citation]

Theoretically AM3 CPU can still be used in Socket AM2 MB. However, its up to the MB vendor to actually make this reality with BIOS update. You'll find most AM2 motherboards will NOT support AM3 CPU. My AM2 M2V wont even support AM2+ CPU's (darn you Asus!)

 

[crimsonart]

I so want to pull the trigger and help AMD out with a new workstation build. Right now there is no equivalent to the ASUS P6T WS PRO Motherboard for the AM3 socket.

 

[Guest]

$300 shipped for a Phenom XII 940 and a good quality MSI 790GX motherboard... Bye, bye Intel, AMD is back.

 

[cjl]

[citation][nom]OnlyTheBest325[/nom]"We were only able to get 3.6 GHz out of the processor using AMD’s PIB heatsink/fan solution before peaking over 60 degrees C and losing Prime95 threads"I'm sure that's a world record for stock heatsinks on a quad, most people don't get above 3.8 with any heatsink, period. What does the $1000 i7 965 EE get on it's heatsink? Probably 3.33 if you're lucky.[/citation]

The i7 965 will probably hit 3.6 on its stock heatsink (though any more would be pushing it). Keep in mind that an i7 965 is actually almost a 3.33GHz chip anyways, as under a full, 8 thread load, it typically runs at a turbo mode of 3.33GHz on stock settings.

 

[touchdowntexas13]

[citation][nom]saljr[/nom]Boycott Intel. AMD II 955 for $245 and Intel i7 965 for $1000. I like said Boycott Intel.[/citation]

Most people aren't paying for the 965. the 920 is where the value is at. It is still $280, which is more than the 955. But it can be overclocked with no voltage changes all the way up to 3.33GHz? Plus it has turbo mode on top of that so the leading core will get a little extra push. I don't quite remember the exact numbers, but there is an article about it here on Tom's. In my opinion, more than 3.33 GHz with a simple tweak is good for me any day. This is what will propel me to get the i7 core 920, but i sure do see the value AMD is putting out there.

HEY TOM'S, COULD WE HAVE AN ARTICLE OF AN OVERCLOCKED PHENOM II X4 AM3 955 VS. AN OVERCLOCKED CORE I7 920?

I would definitely be interested to see how the overclocked counterparts perform. Right now i am leaning towards the core i7 920, but i would much like to read an article like that in order to finalize/change my decision.

 

[cangelini]

Touchdown--are you thinking max overclocks, or "smart" overclocks ie: frequencies that don't require ridiculous voltages/cooling solutions?

 

[touchdowntexas13]

[citation][nom]cangelini[/nom]Touchdown--are you thinking max overclocks, or "smart" overclocks ie: frequencies that don't require ridiculous voltages/cooling solutions?[/citation]

No no, smart overclocks. The overclock i mentioned had no changes in voltages. Yes i would get an aftermarket cooler, but only a $40 one. The xigmatek dark knight is supposed to be more than enough to get cool temps with an overclock like that.

Here is the link to the i7 920 overclocking:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-core-i7,2268.html

It's mentioned on both the 4th page and in the conclusion.

 

[cangelini]

Here's the same story, only using the Phenom II 940, Touchdown.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-overclock,2267.html

Between those two pieces, you should actually get a really good sense for how each processor compares performance/efficiency-wise! Hope that helps,

Chris

 

[spearhead]

[citation][nom]jomanager[/nom]Pleaseeeeeeeeee, evolve and drop those ancient WINZIP and WINRAR. Use free open source 7-zip in your benchmark, which is more advanced, multi-threaded, has higher compression ratio.[/citation] a good idea indeed. i use 7-zip its perfect i would like to such a benchmark too. gaming might be my main concern for such a setup a perfect motherboard for AMD's phenom II 920 cpu would be GA-MA790X-UD4P the only trade off might be that you dont have an IGP vs the GX but the advantage is you get 30 euro off the price. in a couple of days the am2+ cpus from AMD might become a bit cheaper aswell 940 seem to drop at some shops below 180 and some seem to maintain 195 as a standard however 920 is 160 euro now here and that makes it an exellent choice for the price.

 

[touchdowntexas13]

Ah thank you thank you. I forgot that was already posted.

So my main concern was comparing gaming performance. With the highest clock applied to each processor w/o any voltage changes, this is what i found:

Crysis: i7 920 pushes about 6 more frames/sec, 9.29% increase
UT3: i7 920 pushes about 47 more frames/sec , 25.9% increase
WIC: i7 pushes 68 more frames/sec, 33.66% increase

However i cannot find if they same GPU was used in both tests, and it seems that the amd processor tested was on ddr2 memory?

The core i7 shows an obvious upper hand here(unless i am missing something big), but i don't know how good the results are as i can't find the test setup for the amd processor(GPU, memory?)

 

[cangelini]

This is what everyone was up in arms about earlier on in the comments, but the GPU should be a GeForce GTX 260 Core 216--this year's reference card.

In general, though, my advice would be to make your decision based on the applications you'll be running OTHER than gaming. Those will undoubtedly show much more performance delta than games.

 

[touchdowntexas13]

Ha i didn't even realize that i was chatting with the author of the article. I am semi new to Tom's. Nice to meet you. I really enjoy these articles.

I really don't use a whole lot of strenuous apps. Since I am in college, i make use of all of the office programs, and do some audio/video encoding. Other than that, i typically play games, surf the internet, and check email. But the i7 still keeps the upper hand in those situations and any other programs i might utilize in the future right?

A last question, did anyone ever solve the mystery as to why the i7 performed sub par in the far cry 2 test with the gtx 260? I did read the follow up, and am wondering because i am considering a build with an i7 920/gtx 285.

Thanks again for being so quick to respond.

 

[cangelini]

Not a problem, and good to meet you too.

No, Nvidia says it's able to replicate some of the results we saw in that story, but has no explanation for why they might be occurring. To be fair to them, they have limited resources and can't spend inordinate amounts of time troubleshooting performance in one title. If I hear anything further, though, I'll certainly be updating this story and that follow-up!

 

[touchdowntexas13]

[citation][nom]cangelini[/nom]Not a problem, and good to meet you too.No, Nvidia says it's able to replicate some of the results we saw in that story, but has no explanation for why they might be occurring. To be fair to them, they have limited resources and can't spend inordinate amounts of time troubleshooting performance in one title. If I hear anything further, though, I'll certainly be updating this story and that follow-up![/citation]

Well my next question was whether Nvidia had been contacted, but you guys have already done that. And yes I'm sure time is money, especially in the GPU race.

Well in any case i look forward to any updates on this matter. Thanks again, and keep those articles coming.

 

[RazberyBandit]

The 955 isn't looking too bad. Even though I ordered the 92mm XIGMATEK Rifle CPU Cooler to push my 5000+ a little further I'll probably be putting in a faster Phenom II in a few months. The 940 is already at a pretty good price, but I just want a quad core AM3 CPU . Figure that way latter on I can upgrade my board and RAM latter while still keeping the AM3 955. I'd buy it now, but replacing my aging laptop and those pesky car repairs came first .

I'm totally in agreement with you on the purchase of an AM3 CPU now, move to AM3 board and DDR3 later when the AM3 mobo adds more than just DDR3, megaman. Was I wrong when earlier I said AM3's only real "extra" is DDR3 support? Well, that and an extra 200MHz for HT? For me, it's just not worth it yet.

The only thing different about our situations, megaman, is I won't be buying a new cooler to try and stretch my 5000+ BE to the limit. It's at 3.2GHz now, and though I could push it a bit harder, I don't want to take my voltage any higher (1.42 presently), plus I really like my tight 4-4-4-15 timings and present stability.

Of note to those who were talking about Phenom II 920 and 940 pricing... Someone said they were $250, someone else $215... Newegg slashed the price on the 940 - it's now $189.99, which is only 99 cents more than the 920. That's quite a tempting price for that level of performance for those users limited to AM2+ Phenom II's. (Meaning, AM2 board owners who actually have BIOS support for AM2+ CPUs.)

 

[krazyderek]

why aren't the charts color coded for amd / intel, and why aren't the results sorted by benchmark result????

 

[ezzy]

Cmon this review is a little biased and unfair, in the conclusion the cost difference is not 100$, it's more. But in any case I won't go for AM3 anytime soon! Why? There is NO significant gain with DDR3! Therefore getting a 940 AM2+, DDR2, and mobo, is WAY cheaper than an i7 setup. Look the prices have already fallen for AM2+ 940. And THAT setup beats and competes with all pre i7 Intel setups. So price per performance, AMD are really attractive now.

 

[ezzy]

Correction* Doesn't always beat pre i7 setups, but it's strong.

 

[cangelini]

[citation][nom]ezzy[/nom]Cmon this review is a little biased and unfair, in the conclusion the cost difference is not 100$, it's more. But in any case I won't go for AM3 anytime soon! Why? There is NO significant gain with DDR3! Therefore getting a 940 AM2+, DDR2, and mobo, is WAY cheaper than an i7 setup. Look the prices have already fallen for AM2+ 940. And THAT setup beats and competes with all pre i7 Intel setups. So price per performance, AMD are really attractive now.[/citation]

But this wasn't a review of the Phenom II X4 940, was it?

 

[sighQ2]

As mentioned, better to buy AM3 cpu, use it in existing mobo w AM2+ socket and DDR2 ram - cost is cpu ONLY.!
Later, with new chipsets go for new AM3 mobo, and drop in existing AM3 cpu.
New vidcard coming soon = "HD4770" (40 nm) similar to 4850. (cheap)

AGREE with comments like test ALL DRAGON parts.

AGREE with CALLS for DIRECT HEAD TO HEAD with an7i7rus7 parts.
i7 will win - but not significantly for the cost of the system. But the AMD system will be so close in that contest. And the real world experience transcends "synthetic benchMARKETing". You think AMD should redesign to win benchmarks?? = lol... spintel does.

Nobody seems to be commenting on the "smooth" experience which Phenom II brings - real users comment "smooth" gaming, etc (repeatedly)- but that's "real world" experience - not synthetics. (btw - all you really need is 30 fps for good gameplay.)

RE NEW CHIPSETS - (890 etc) -roadmaps indicate later 2009, not 2010. Also AMD has been moving up it's scheduled releases. 6-core Istanbul is now June 2009. But that's server talk.

RE OCLOX - who are you trying to kid?? 3.6 is nothing - should be min 3.8, probably 3.9, and maybe 4.0
AND if you knew HOW TO OCLOX very likely 4++. (your bad - sorry)
You consistently report LAME OCLOX results - get outta the kitchen.
Phenom II's tend to run cold. (ref. xtreme systems or amdzone)

FUTURE - sok 775 is EOL. (sorry)
SOCKET AM3 - new AM3 cpu models are scheduled thru 2010 - roadmaps change but - expect more Ph II cpu's with higher stock clox.

The AM3 Socket change is a gentle gradual TRANSITION - no rush - many options based on back compatible with AM2+. (know your options!)
Re AM2 - simple - check with mobomaker for bios upgrade - done.

Not a bad review but your bias, and relative lack of involvement in AMD is visible. Bring on the big head to head contest - let spintel win - then consider how you are treated by the monopoly - somebody said boycott - I wonder where the emotion comes from. Global antitrust and monopoly legals - priceless! Laws are supposed to protect us all. else is criminal. did I miss something?

apology re long post.

 

[ezzy]

[citation][nom]cangelini[/nom]But this wasn't a review of the Phenom II X4 940, was it?[/citation]

Yes I agree, it is about the Phenom 955, which has an inbuilt DDR3 memory controller, which was a natural move by AMD to allow users to exploit that technology, if they want to. Nevertheless the sound of the conclusion seems like its very inclined towards Intel, now I'm not an AMD or Intel freak, have both, but nonetheless loose wording of the conclusion makes it seem biased. Since there is no mention of the price drops for the AM2+ Dragon. I am buying a new PC with i7 setup, cause of uber performance (do compression/encoding), but I'm also getting a Dragon AM2+ for my friend, since it's amazing price per performance especially for games.

 

[ezzy]

Anyways Intel does have the upper hand in the high end market, since they are dominating with their i7, and as prices go down, surely it will be attractive to get these systems for the mainstream. Technology evolves quickly nowadays. Sorry for the multiple posts.