Phenom Recycled: Athlon X2 7000-Series

AMD Introduces Dual-Core Phenom

Everybody is getting excited about the upcoming Phenom II launch. AMD has already released a bit of information, saying that the 45 nm Phenom II has reached 6.3 GHz cooled with liquid nitrogen, and the pre-release press information indicates that overclocking margins could be as substantial as the potential of a Core 2 processor. However, Phenom II isn't here yet. But AMD {has} just introduced a new Athlon X2 product, which is based on the Phenom's Stars core. We're taking a look at the Athlon X2 7000-series, which brings AMD's dual-core performance up a bit.

The Athlon X2 7000-Series: Phenom Recycled

While AMD's upcoming Phenom II processor represents a new product, shrunk to the new 45 nm DSL SOI process and with more cache memory, the Athlon X2 7000-series is nothing short of the already-well-known Phenom on the bug-fixed B3 stepping. You can tell this by the model numbers, which all end in 50. The 7000 model number most likely was chosen to compete with Intel's Core 2 Duo E7000 series, which includes the same total amount of cache memory. However, while the new Athlon X2 7000 comes with 512 KB L2 cache per core and an additional 2 MB shared L3 cache for both cores, Core 2 Duo E7000 just has its 3 MB shared L2 cache.

The processor die of today's launch is identical to the Phenom X4 and X3, but only two cores are activated. While this is a performance disadvantage for multi-threaded applications, it introduces an advantage in terms of power consumption, as two processing units require less power than three or four. In addition, AMD now has the option to recycle Phenom processors that might have issues with up to two cores. With two cores disabled and re-branded to Athlon X2, the new generation takes on the old Athlon X2 at up to 6400+ speeds, as well as the Core 2 Duo family.

Black Edition Is A Go!

The Black Edition processors (BE) are the most interesting ones, as they come with unlocked multipliers. Hence, it is possible to more easily overclock these. Only the 2.7 GHz top model Athlon X2 7750 is a Black Edition--the two other models are called 7550 and 7450, running at 2.5 and 2.4 GHz. All Athlon X2 7000 processors are at 95 W Thermal Design Power (TDP), although AMD mainstream processors typically stay below that.

Catching Up With Core 2?

The big question is: can the Athlon X2 7000-series catch up with Intel's Core 2 Duo processor family? In the end, the new chip comes with 512 KB L2 cache per core and the Phenom's 2 MB L3 cache, which might provide an advantage. AMD caches are exclusive, which means that contents stored within one level of the cache aren't stored redundantly in a lower level. We'll break the anticipation early: the 45 nm Core 2 family remains faster, but the new X2 7000 still represents an excellent option for users who insist on ideal price/performance ratio, and--more importantly--for upgrade users who already use a socket AM2/AM2+ system.

  • davidgbailey
    First Comment!!!

    AMD is competing with Core 2 Duo? Why don't they try to compete with core i7? Oh wait, they can't compete with core i7 being 2 years behind. But AMD FTW against Core 2 Duo 2 years later!!!
    Reply
  • curnel_D
    I'd upgrade to the 6400+BE before I'd upgrade to the 7000 series.
    Reply
  • tipmen
    Poor AMD
    Reply
  • royalcrown
    Wow, only 80 bucks to upgrade a four whole fps over my 5400 x2....lemme rush right out, not !
    Reply
  • urban_black_redneck
    Curnel_DI'd upgrade to the 6400+BE before I'd upgrade to the 7000 series.Now the 6000 is just under $80 (same price as the 7750BE) and the 6400 is hard to find.

    I am building my first gaming computer from the ground up, proudly starting with the 7750 Black Edition.
    Reply
  • amdgamer666
    would like to have seen some overclockability tests but otherwise great article. good to see amd has released kuma (finally) to become slightly more competetive
    Reply
  • Naw-yi
    notice the memory used is 800mzh not 1066mhz, also why would they use different video cards? the drivers used arnt even up to date... test should be run with alike hardware and software(or as close to alike as possible) or its not to be taken seriously.
    Reply
  • Naw-yi
    Naw-yinotice the memory used is 800mzh not 1066mhz, test should be run with alike hardware and software(or as close to alike as possible) or its not to be taken seriously.
    Reply
  • cangelini
    Naw, I'll ask Patrick to answer the memory questions. However, if you read the Test Setup page, you'll see that only one graphics card was used. Also, given the mainstream nature of these graphics cards versus the very high-end graphics card, there is no way in a million years that the WHQL driver used would have any effect on the outcome of these benchmarks.
    Reply
  • cangelini
    Naw, ran the memory question past our German team and updated the piece. Same modules were run at 1066 and CAS 5. Thanks for the catch. Hope that answers all of your questions. If there's anything else, please let me know!
    Reply