Phenom X6 or FX-6100 from Phenom X2

tjcoops

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Hi Guys,
I'm in the market for a new processor. I currently have an AMD Phenom II X2 550BE unlocked to a Quad core and overclocked to 3.6GHz. I get a bit of CPU bottlenecking with my 6850s in crossfire when running games that rely on the CPU a lot. Plus I think this processor is on it's way to the little CPU heaven in the sky.

I currently have an Asus Sabertooth 990FX Mobo, and so I have a nice choice of processors I can use. In the UK the AMD FX-6100 is £119.99 (cheapest) and the Phenom X6 1090T is around £140 - £160. I know the bulldozers have received bad press for being slower than the phenoms, but is it true they overclock very well? I wouldn't say I'm good at overclocking but I'm confident in my ability not to murder the chip, and so I'd be willing to OC to push the most out of it. Are either of these a decent upgrade from my current processor?

My Spec:
CPU - AMD Phenom X2 550BE (Unlocked to Quad @ 3.6GHz)
RAM - 4GB 1333MHz HyperX Blu
GPUs - 2x 6850s in CFX
PSU - OCZ 1010w (Can't remember exact name)

My main use will be for gaming, but it would be nice for the PC to be snappier in general. Also, I heard of rumours about a Phenom X8, do these hold any truth and do you think it would be worth the wait?

Thanks,
Tristan
 

Headspin_69

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Your computer is like your bedroom when it is a mess it cant find anything hence the slower speed on the desktop. My advice clean up your computer's OS and get faster HDDs in RAID 0 or and SSD.
 

deadjon

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I would strongly reccomend the PII X6 1100T - Its a strong CPU when overclocked and the Performance per clock is higher than that of the FX-8150 in games.

Overclocking the 1100T is a simple procedure, but will require aftermarket cooling as you may already know. 4.2ghz is not uncommon for these chips and that should drop the bottleneck significantly.

Avoid the FX Series for gaming - I simply cannot reccomend any of them over the tried and tested Phenoms.

Just to make you aware, the 1100T will not eliminate the bottleneck entirely - Skyrim for example, whilst intensive on 2 cores (to the point of 100% load) will not use much on the other 4 cores (if any) bringing it down performance per thread/core. The Phenoms are still behind on this so you will be riding on the Clock speed here.

The Phenom X8s are rumoured to be cut down FX Processors (As hard as that is to beleive...) Avoid these like the plague if this is true.

@ Headspin_69

Seriously bro - Reinstalling windows? New HDD?

This is the level of advise people get at Currys/PC World/Best Buy
 

tjcoops

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Damn, I wish AMD would just release a processor to match the 2500K :p A cut down FX, wow that must be bad. I might get a 1100T, I guess the turbo feature would come in handy for games that don't use many cores?
 

deadjon

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Overclocking negates the need for a turbo core anyway

The 1100T will be ample for your needs - Clock it to 4.2ghz (or higher if possible) and you'll be on track for a perfectly balanced system.
 
the 6 cores don't improve gaming at all and also don't really make things snappier considering it would all rely on the caches and ram and hdd.

the FX is not worth an upgrade for gaming or much of anything as of now.
 

deadjon

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6 Cores may not improve Gaming performance right now no, but running a 3.6ghz B55 Quad is going to slow things down in comparison to a Thuban at 4.2ghz +

My reccomendation stands.
 

majorgibly

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Yeah even a 1055t overclocked will help. However 1055t's are harder to overclock I will give them that. But still a strong CPU ;0)
 

guskline

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tjcoops: I'm lucky enough ( 60 yrs. old) to own 3 computers - 2 with i2500k CPUs and 1 with an 1100T. The Intel rigs are faster but the AMD 1100T is no slouch. I'm using an Asrock 970 Extreme 4 mb with the 1100T and a solid over clock of 3800. Your mb is better so an OC of 4000 should be no problem (4200 might be iffy). I am running 2 MSI Cyclone 460 GTX - 768s in SLI. The 1100T runs like a dream. The I2500k will beat it in benchmarks, but honestly, in game play, you hardly know the difference. Go with the 1100T.
 

jerry6

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Or the 1090t , I have both 1100t and 1090 , almost no dif between the 2 in benchmarks and in use NO difference . The 1090t will OC within a few hz of the 1100t if you're lucky . Amazon had a deal on 1090 $149.00 a few weeks back .
 

deadjon

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4.2ghz is very possible on these chips as far as I can see, but the X6's vary massivley - some will do 4.2 on 1.425v and be perfectly stable and some will do 4.1 on 1.525v and then crash.

Good chips though, one of AMDs gems of the last 2 years.
 
G

Guest

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Get the Phenom II. I've got a Phenom II x4 @ 3.8ghz and I can play GTA IV, Crysis 1 and 2, BC2, etc all on high/max settings limited by my GTX460 1gb.

Bulldozer clock for clock just doesn't really improve upon Phenom's architecture. The 3 module 6 thread Bulldozer will be barely as fast as the 6 physical core Phenom II x6 in just about any practical application.
 

chaosgs

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I dont recommend either. I have a 1055t and its a massive bottleneck to my 5850 crossfire. I would have never thought it would be such a massive bottleneck but it is.

The sad part is yours is OCED to 3.6 which makes it faster than mine. You will be spending money for something that performs on par with what you have.
 

deadjon

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Since when is a B55 X4 a 1055t?

And since when is a 1055t a 1100T?

I Suggest you read the thread before replying.

@ 4.2ghz the bottleneck will be there but it will be minimal - and the Phenom II 1100T is the strongest chip you can buy for the 990FX Platform as far as gaming goes I beleive (unless you want to fork out £220 on an FX 8150 overclock it to 4.8ghz and still have a chip slower than the i5 2500k) and will provide a huge increase on top of his unlocked B55 @3.6 in terms of performance.

 
If you have a C3 PhII x2 550BE, I would re-lock it to a dual and crank that sum beach to 4GHz+. That gives you 2 higher-clocked cores (good for most games) with higher total L3 cache per core. You may even test each core, disable the core with the worst voltage characteristics, and run an over-clocked triple-core (No truth to to the rumor - LOL - that the weak core is Core2 :D )

Even a C2-stepping dual-core at 3.8-4GHz would be a slight improvement especially when you increase the IMC/NB to 2400MHz+** to boost your frames.

If you want snappy, clone your OS/Apps to an SSD. If you want to max your snappy, clone your OS/Apps to two SSDs and see just how high that SATA 6Gb/s will go. I suspect 2 SSDs may be purchased for roughly the same cost as a BD or Thuban upgrade (and I'd wait a few months for the new BD stepping if that is where you want to go).


**__ It cannot be stressed enough the importance of bumping the IMC/NB. For each 10% you increase above stock 2000MHz IMC/NB, memory bandwidth is increased 3-4% and latency is reduced 3-4%. This may have a significant impact on your frames.

IMC-NB_AT_fc2720nba.jpg


From Anand Phenom II X3 720BE & CrossFire X Performance


With your RAMs your 'sweet spot' is a clock at 250MHz (something your motherboard can easily handle). Drop the memory divider from 6.67 to 5.33. Drop your HT to 8x (or the 1600MHz setting). Leave your IMC/NB at 10x (or the 2000MHz setting). Lock your PCIe at 100MHz. Raise your NB to 1.25v.

16x250MHz = 4GHz with the IMC/NB at 10x250MHz and your RAMs spec 5.33x250MHz. 15.5x250MHz would be sweet, too.

If the above chart is followed, that may boost your frames by as much as 10%.

[:jaydeejohn:5]


edit: I fergit ...

A fresh OS install is never really a bad thing -- especially if you have run a bunch of updates and changed out your hardware. It can cure some ills :lol:

 

tjcoops

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Thanks very much for the replies. It looks like the 1100T with an overclock is the way to go. I'll keep my options open for the time being as there may be deals on certain processors around this time of year. So if an FX-8150 can barely perform on par with the 1100T I guess the FX-6100 is a waste of time? I have to ask as pretty much all the reviews I've seen on BDs focus completely on the 8150.
 

chaosgs

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It being OCED its on par with a 1055t if not faster. 1055t and 1100t have very little difference WHEN oced, they both get the same max oc ALMOST.

I have done more research on this topic than you have. Im stuck in a rut because I cant buy a faster cpu. Several old benchmarks showing what is needed to pull the 5850CF and 6850CF. Its more than anything AMD has to offer.

Also your suggesting a novice OC to 4.8GHZ? Get real.
 

chaosgs

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http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/radeon_hd_5870_crossfire_cpu_scaling_performance_part_2,3.html


OP is experiencing the same problem I am. We have near identical setups. Trying to save him a lot of money/headaches.

A 1100T OCED to 4.5GHZ would eliminate our Bottlenecks but how plausible is that?

My 1055T @ 2.8 GHZ = 1 GPU load 100% 2 GPU load 15%
My 1055T @ 3.6 GHZ = 1 GPU load 100% 2 GPU load 40%

OP it looks like you bought a new motherboard thinking it was the X4 lane?
No its the cpu. I DID THE SAME DAMNED THING! But I took the board back.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/317673-33-6850-performance

HE HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I HAVE! He even bought a new board. Trust me a 1100T wont save you. I doubt Bulldozer will either, Because its what im contemplating getting myself.
 

tjcoops

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Damn. I feel tricked by AMD and Asus almost. Why sell a motherboard with the capability of Quad Crossfire for AMD CPUs when NO AMD CPUs could even possibly come close to feeding those graphics cards.

I highly doubt my parents would let me return the motherboard as I've changed my thoughts on what's been causing the bottleneck so many times they don't believe me.

I'm sure AMD will react to the bad reception of the Bulldozers with a new chip but what about people like me who need a processor to power our needs. I can't wait months for performance I should already be able to buy.

Thanks for your reply
 

tjcoops

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How come I see people running 6970 Crossfire rigs with the AMD 1100T, if it will still bottleneck dual 6850s then it must be terrible on dual 6970s?




If I could I'd exchange my motherboard for an 1155 mobo and get a 2500K, that will not happen though :p

I will try what you said however :)
 

chaosgs

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Thats an expensive @$$ MOBO return it asap even with a restocking fee. What good will it do? We need a chip that exceeds 4.2 GHZ. Your old one with a H100 Cooler should do it. Me im screwed my mobo doesnt OC hardly at all. A new board is dumb.

My only suggestions are.
1. Return that board.
2. Get a damned good cooling unit with returned money and oc, Hope the cooler will transfer to the next CPU (Pile Driver or w/e comes out next.

Im in a worse boat than you. But same problem. Not a fan of Intel in any shape or form. But that 2500K combo with good MOBO is $350.

It still isnt enough wisecracker.