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Now it’s time to use the results from our Radeon HD 4870 X2 testing to compare the three top AMD processors to an Intel Core 2 Quad. In the following charts, the purple Athlon 7750 data has been replaced with data taken from the SBM $1,250 PC, and all percentages are calculated based on the stock SBM machine.
While the overclocked Radeon HD 4870 X2 frequencies are nearly identical, again, keep in mind for games that the SBM machine was running Catalyst 8.12 display drivers, while the AMD machines were running newer Catalyst 9.2 drivers.
The Phenom II X4 940 BE comes out on top in games. However, its two largest victories are with Unreal Tournament 3 and Supreme Commander, which were already more than playable with any of these processors. The poor showing again in Supreme Commander could very well be a result of the older display drivers, as both the $625 and $1,250 systems fell far short of these AMD processors’ performance for this game. Driver suspicions aside, the Phenom II delivers solid performance and proves it is worthy of being in this level of a gaming system.
Impressive victories in MainConcept and WinRAR were not enough to bring the higher-clocked Phenom II up to the same overall combined score as the 3.62 GHz Q9550. While our voltages were pushed high, and 3.8 GHz is far from a guarantee, we can't overlook the $80 savings that comes along with choosing the Phenom II X4 940 BE.
The overclocked Phenom II X3 720 BE is able to catch up to the $1,250 PC in games, but it is left in the dust in the majority of the encoding and applications tests. The Phenom X4 9950 only takes a win with Supreme Commander. But otherwise, it never really stands a chance against the quad-core Intel. With both quad-core processors sharing advantages in the same applications, it’s a story of “anything you can do I can do better.” Of course, the Core 2 Quad Q9550 costs nearly twice as much as either of the AMD processors, so opting for them instead means you would have quite a few extra bones to throw toward other hardware if either of these processors delivers the desired level of performance.
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setting aside 1366 and AM3
In 2 or 3 years when QX9770 chips start showing up for $250-$300.
Will AMD have a cheaper socket AM2+ compatible chip on the market that will outperform it?
If so, AMD would be a nice alternative.
setting aside 1366 and AM3
In 2 or 3 years when QX9770 chips start showing up for $250-$300.
Will AMD have a cheaper socket AM2+ compatible chip on the market that will outperform it?
If so, AMD would be a nice alternative.
In 2 or 3 years Intel will have 16 cores on a single cpu, and amd tech will, as always, be useless, outdated, and worthless... Just like they are now.
So did I miss somthing or where does it say what each of these processors is overclocked to. I get that the p2 x3 720be is at 3.67 but what about the rest of them. Am I missing it somewhere (very possible) or do I have to look back at your previous articles to figure it out? shouldn't that be on the test systems and configuration page. I am trying to sort through the data.
Nice article Paul and some exhaustive work! Don't overlook the 780G/SB710 that also feature ACC for a price of $72
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157154
making the Phenom2 x3 720 a viable option in the SBM budget category. I'm also going to be curious about the new Phenom2 x2 and Athlon2 x2 processors that are coming out June 2nd.
Has anyone noticed the benchmarks for the i5's on anandtech yet?
Great article guys - love the comparisons to the SBM machines - really gives some insight into CPU and GPU scaling and how much to spend on your processor versus your graphics for gaming builds. Thanks!
Has anyone noticed the benchmarks for the i5's on anandtech yet?
I did. Considering the pricing scheme of the i5 (so close to AMD) and it's high performance numbers (so close to the i7) AMD is in big trouble.
Intel will shift all the processors that are now under the i7 (even if the 920 is rumored to become EOL, one step down on it's portfolio, which means high end Intel dual cores, will go into or under the mainstream, where AMD already has a hard time.
This doesn't make me very happy, even if I am an Intel fanboy. Aggressive pricing schemes are overrated. AMD needs something new. Now.
... BIG THX to the Tom's crew... was not so hard after all? ... now, thx to YOU, we have a info about intel, nVidia and AMD/ATi solutions... how they stack up in price/performance/cost of ownership... NICELY DONE!!!
Yes thanks, many people complained in the system builder marathon and you listened to the complaints... great.
The E5200 seems to hold up a bit better than I previously thought, an incredible value for
I did. Considering the pricing scheme of the i5 (so close to AMD) and it's high performance numbers (so close to the i7) AMD is in big trouble.Intel will shift all the processors that are now under the i7 (even if the 920 is rumored to become EOL, one step down on it's portfolio, which means high end Intel dual cores, will go into or under the mainstream, where AMD already has a hard time.This doesn't make me very happy, even if I am an Intel fanboy. Aggressive pricing schemes are overrated. AMD needs something new. Now.
AMD doesn't need something new now, they are going to flood the market with low to mid range processor (see computex in a couple of days) that will cater to the masses. On the high end side of things the PII remains an options since it's direct competitor, the intel penryn quads will fade out to be replaced by the new kid on the block, the i5. As for the enthusiast (lots of money, no jaw dropping performance increase)segment the i7 will rule them all. So the battle between blue and green will continue as is, for almost 3 years now AMD has lost the crown, another year isn't going to hurt them much. Things will get heated this time next year when more and more bulldozer and fusion rumors will start spreading.
As of now, nothing new, in this review or the ones that will follow.
So did I miss somthing or where does it say what each of these processors is overclocked to. I get that the p2 x3 720be is at 3.67 but what about the rest of them.
Thanks for pointing this out. No you didn't miss anything, the CPU-Z screenshots should have been put up in pairs CPU Tab / Memory Tab.
Phenom II X4 940 BE - 3.793 GHz (18.5* 205) 1.5375V
Phenom II X3 720 BE - 3.672 GHz (18.0* 204) 1.500V
Phenom X4 9950 BE - 3.400 GHz (16.5*206) 1.425V
Athlon 7750 BE - 3.383 GHz (16.5*205) 1.425V
All I can say is Thank you. What a great article! I can't see anyone not considering the PhII X3 720 for a budget build.
I'm glad to see my X4 940 is holding up so well. Prolly be another 2 months before I feel obsolete again!
O, BTW isn't 1.5V extremely high for a PhII? I've never taken mine beyond 1.45V. I'm chicken
never understood why IDIOTS type in ALL caps EVERY other WORD.
if you have a simple understanding of the english language and can type, the reader will know what words are emphasized.
... BIG THX to the Tom's crew... was not so hard after all? ... now, thx to YOU, we have a info about intel, nVidia and AMD/ATi solutions... how they stack up in price/performance/cost of ownership... NICELY DONE!!!
never understood why IDIOTS type in ALL caps EVERY other WORD.
if you have a simple understanding of the english language and can type, the reader will know what words are emphasized.
These benchmarks are obsolete and shouldn't be compared to anything. Firstly cat 9.2 is from february, now its june and cat 9.5. AMD also has had 7850 and 955 processors available quite awhile for better performance.
So did I miss somthing or where does it say what each of these processors is overclocked to. I get that the p2 x3 720be is at 3.67 but what about the rest of them. Am I missing it somewhere (very possible) or do I have to look back at your previous articles to figure it out? shouldn't that be on the test systems and configuration page. I am trying to sort through the data.
Check out screens from CPU-Z. Good article.. i say: FINALLY!
How about using AMD and Intel CPUs in GPU tests in the future? I'm not gonna buy Intel no matter what, so furter articles with AMD processors i would gladly welcome
That's odd, most of my previous post is no displaying... Maybe that's why it has a negative score? I noticed, I hunted for a post I submitted last last week on a different article and it looks like it never posted.