Performance-Enhancing Changes

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6:00 PM - 01/07/2009 by Bert Toepelt, Frank Voelkel

Four points lead to improved performanceCompared to the first-generation Phenom processors, the Phenom II is faster clock for clock. AMD cites four key areas that were enhanced, in addition to the silicon-level transistor changes previously mentioned, that help Phenom II deliver increased processing speeds.

1. More Instructions Per Clock Cycle

The Phenom is built upon the Stars architecture, but its implementation includes numerous improvements undertaken to increase the number of instructions that can be handled per clock cycle. No new instructions or multimedia extensions were needed to achieve this speed-up. By comparison, the first-generation Phenom processors added support for the SSE4a multimedia extensions, which the Athlon 64 X2 processors do not share.

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2. Increase In Clock Rate 

As a result of the switch from 65 nm to 45 nm manufacturing, the voltage needed to drive Phenom II is down significantly. In combination with an improvement to the base micro-architecture, this gave AMD a license to increase the clock rate. Whereas the first-generation Phenoms topped out at 2.6 GHz, the latest Phenom IIs start at 2.8 and scale to 3.0 GHz.

3. Increase The L3 Cache To 6 MB

It just wasn’t an option for AMD simply to arm the first-generation Phenom with a larger L3 cache. The power requirements of those 65 nm transistors would have undoubtedly boosted consumption past the 140 W mark. But current draw was sufficiently reduced in switching to 45 nm technology to enable AMD to augment the L3 cache size from 2 MB to 6 MB. In any case, the separate 512 KB caches provided for each individual core did not change with this redesign, nor did the 64 KB L1 instruction and data cache areas.

4. Support For DDR3-1333 RAM

Another contributor to the Phenom II’s improved performance comes from its support for DDR3 RAM, though it won’t be available for a few months yet. AMD plans to introduce the Phenom II with this RAM interface together with the market introduction of its Socket AM3 architecture.

Talkback
one-shot 01/08/2009 6:17 AM
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firedogevan 01/08/2009 6:29 AM
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-9+

why focus on the q6600... wouldn't the q9550 or 9650 be a more accurate comparison given their respective locations in the product lineup?

dechy 01/08/2009 6:40 AM
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-16+

Yeah, the price comparison table should of included a Q9550, which costs same as i7 920 but with the lower mobo/ram combo price.

Ends up being the same price as the AMD bundle, but with a good more performance... there goes the whole "AMD price/performance" aspect of this chip.

one-shot 01/08/2009 6:41 AM
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-7+

Great review. Maybe some overclocking later? There were some pretty high claims about its overclocking potential. I'll wait for AM3 before I retire my E6750.

cangelini 01/08/2009 6:59 AM
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-7+

Coming up soon one-shot--I was working on that one =)

V3NOM 01/08/2009 7:14 AM
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-19+

who cares about performance/watt? PRICE/PERFORMANCE is the big deal

Anonymous 01/08/2009 7:30 AM
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nashville 01/08/2009 7:33 AM
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-1+

hey bert/tom's:
good write up: thought id comment on i7 watts:
"we measured the power consumption directly from the 12 volt rail that supplied the CPU", i read somewhere the only i7 core logic gets power from 12v rail, the uncore/cache part somewhere else. if this is true, you going to do another measurements?

kirvinb 01/08/2009 8:10 AM
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-18+

I'm so happy to see Intel has some competetion. While these new processors are not mind blowing, they offer some decent performance at the price given. I am sure this will lower the price of the q9400 and q9550, which is exactly what I want to see. Maybe even the i7s price will lower and maybe we will be back in the good days..where intel and amd flipped sides of the powerhouse like every 6 months..!! Good Write Up..

jj463rd 01/08/2009 8:21 AM
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-2+

On the forums someone mentioned "why did they use DDR2-800 RAM when DDR2-1066 would give better performance for the Phenom II".Wouldn't this skew the benchmarks by a little bit (perhaps 2 to 3%)?

tomc100 01/08/2009 8:39 AM
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-12+

I'm glad AMD has provided some competition to Intel. Lack of thereof would result in Intel price gouging customers just like Nvidia did last year.

kirvinb 01/08/2009 8:50 AM
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-2+

oh god!! tell me about it!!! the 8880 Ultra was like 800 even 1000 bucks online!! What the hell!! that was ridiculous!! The 4870x2 is the fastest card on the planet(currently released) and you kind find it for less than 500..! 2007 was a bad year indeed

that_aznpride101 01/08/2009 9:05 AM
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-2+

i think this confirms this is what my next upgrade will be. can't wait for the AM3 platform. =)

xx12amanxx 01/08/2009 9:16 AM
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-15+

Time to ditch the ole x2 6000+ Phenom 2 here i come!

ravenware 01/08/2009 9:26 AM
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-8+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471

newegg is listing $US 275.

Based on on the performance numbers here and the overclocking benches from firing squad this release looks to be very promising for AMD.

Can't wait to see how well the AM3 platform performs especially if you can use an integrated 48xx chip in xFire mode.

zodiacfml 01/08/2009 9:59 AM
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-10+

the conclusion is a bit rushed.
how come it became a recommended buy, who will but it?

i see it a recommended buy for those who have am2 boards wanting core2quad like performance especially those like me which have an athlon x2 processor now.
anyways, if i will build a box soon based on amd,
i have to say wait for am3 boards.

nice addition of nero recode8 but it favors intel procs. now i know why my single core intel celeron m laptop works well in recode 8.

BartG 01/08/2009 10:26 AM
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-4+

mmm, was it wrong to expect a bit more?
Even thought the intel costs more, the performance is also better... all in all, I would think only AMD folks are slipping of there chairs but not many Intel fans will change brands.

Me, im sticking to wanting to get a X58 board when the hype is gone and the prices drop...

Nice effort AMD, keep it up so we get even stronger competition!

PCfreak15 01/08/2009 10:34 AM
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ahslan 01/08/2009 10:35 AM
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-3+

well i wonder how long my x2 6000+ is gonna last now...now imma be tempted to just stick a new Phenom II into my rig...but i think Ill wait till prices drop a lil...

Cuddles 01/08/2009 10:57 AM
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-20+

"Who will buy it?"
I have two AM2+ MB Computers. In about 6 to 9 months I'll upgrade them with the most current CPU and call it good for the next 3 years. This will allow me to concentrate on Graphics Cards. Which means that for at least the next few years I won't have to worry about upgrading and when I do I could just buy a AM3 MB and make the transition one step at a time. Intel does have the better CPU's but you do pay for it and you have to pay for it all at once. I am looking at making an Intel HTPC/Home Automation/Gaming Computer and I'll probably use a DFI MB. Intel isn't a very nice to the middle class tech company while I would say AMD is. You spend more on Intel and you spend it all at once while with AMD you spend less and it's over a period of time. With Intel you start off super strong and over a period of time you grow weaker then you replace everything. With AMD you stay average and you upgrade to stay current.
If I had the cash I would go Intel but I don't and thus AMD fits that bill. I can stay current with the times, at all times, and it never costs me more than a couple hundred a year. Still, once in a while I really get that hunger for an Intel chip but alas I have four other mouths to feed.


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