Tick or Tock? The Phenom 2 940 or the 955 Black Edition

[robzilla06]

Hello again. I'm back on da trigga, with another tech question for the house. I mentioned in one of my earlier threads that I have ASUS M3N78-EM Mobo. I have narrowed down my new CPU Choices to either the Phenom 2 940 or the Phenom 2 955 Black Edition. I can use either on on my board, but trying to find out which one is the best one overall. My Mobo can't use ddr3, only ddr2 1066 Ram. With this restriction, is it worth it for me to get the 955, or should I stick with the 940, given my memory limitation? The difference in cost on new egg is 15 dollars, the 955 costing 189, and the 940 costing 174. The 955 is 3.2ghz, and the 940 is 3.0. I just want to see if the board would hold back the 955 to the point where it isn't worth getting.

 

[Attila_the_pun]

Hello again. I'm back on da trigga, with another tech question for the house. I mentioned in one of my earlier threads that I have ASUS M3N78-EM Mobo. I have narrowed down my new CPU Choices to either the Phenom 2 940 or the Phenom 2 955 Black Edition. I can use either on on my board, but trying to find out which one is the best one overall. My Mobo can't use ddr3, only ddr2 1066 Ram. With this restriction, is it worth it for me to get the 955, or should I stick with the 940, given my memory limitation? The difference in cost on new egg is 15 dollars, the 955 costing 189, and the 940 costing 174. The 955 is 3.2ghz, and the 940 is 3.0. I just want to see if the board would hold back the 955 to the point where it isn't worth getting.

How do you feel about overclocking? Its seems as though the 955 would work just as well as the 940 with ddr2 ram. So unless there are potential problems that anyone else can think of I would recommend the 955.

 

[medjohnson77]

I have the 940 and it is a great processor. However the 955 was not out when I bought mine, only the 945 was out. I also have a Asus motherboard that will not take advantage of the DDR3, however you and I can still run the 955 in it. I would go for the 955 over the 940, because if you decide to upgrade your motherboard and ram you will be good to go on a DDR3 platform.

 

[alikum]

There really isn't much difference between 940 and 955. Sure the 940 is slower, but it is also cheaper. Unless their price difference is a really small margin that can be negated, I'd advise you to take the 940, save up, and upgrade once more in a year or 2. Unless you want some bragging rights, 955 would be your choice.

 

[megamanx00]

THe 955BE overclocks a little bit better in general. It also can run at a higher HT speed and use DDR3 memory which the 940 cannot.

 

[smithereen]

I wouldn't worry about getting the 955 unless there is a serious possibility you will replace your motherboard.

 

[dirtmountain]

How about the 95w PhenomII x4 945 ? It's cheaper then even the 940 and with Pauls most excellent article about overclocking a non black edition Phenom II it may be worth a look.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103696

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-cpu-overclock,2396.html

 

[robzilla06]

I wouldn't worry about getting the 955 unless there is a serious possibility you will replace your motherboard.

Well, I don't really plan on replacing this mobo anytime soon (just bought it a few weeks ago). Still, the 955 does look like it has a bit more power out of the box vs the 940, but only about 200 mhz. The HT is faster by about 400mhz, and right now there is only a 15 dollar difference between the 2. If it's the same price when I order it next week, barring another change of heart, I'll probably go with the 955

 

[medjohnson77]

I would go with the 955 if there is only a $15 dollar difference. Even though you don't plan on upgrading your mother board any time soon, you have the option if you want to. If you don't go with the 955, go with the 940 b.e. It is a very good processor. Skip the 945

 

[smithereen]

The straight goods:

200mHz clock difference: 200/3000=.066, or a 6.6% performance increase out of the box.

$15 price difference: 15/174=.086, or an 8.6% price difference.

Both should overclock to 3.6-4 gHz, as far as I know the 955 has little to no improved OCing room. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[robzilla06]

The straight goods:

200mHz clock difference: 200/3000=.066, or a 6.6% performance increase out of the box.

$15 price difference: 15/174=.086, or an 8.6% price difference.

Both should overclock to 3.6-4 gHz, as far as I know the 955 has little to no improved OCing room. Can't go wrong either way.

Damn these forums rock!!! I've never gotten some much useful information in such a short span of time!!! Hell, this thread isn't even a day old!!! I'm getting an aftermarket cooler. The one I'm getting is the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler. It looks like it will fit on my micro atx board an in my case (and more importanlty, on the processor). I want to overclock it at far as I can take it w/o losing stability. I'm able to crank out about 2.7 out of my phenom 9600 black edition, hoping for even bigger gains from either the 940 or the 955.

 

[medjohnson77]

You should see around 3.4-3.8 depending on how cool you can keep it. Good luck with your upgrade