AMD Unleashed: Four CPUs, Two GPUs, All Overclocked

Features
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Test System Configuration and Benchmarks

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System Hardware
ProcessorsAMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition (Deneb) 3.0 GHz, 1800 MHz HT, 6MB L3 CacheAMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition (Heka) 2.8 GHz, 2000 MHz HT, 6MB L3 CacheAMD Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition (Agena) 2.6 GHz, 2000 MHz HT, 2MB L3 CacheAMD Athlon 7750 Black Edition (Kuma) 2.7 GHz, 1800 MHz HT, 2MB L3 Cache
MotherboardAsus M3A78-T (AM2+) 790GX / SB750, BIOS 0802Chipset, BIOS version
RAMCorsair 4 GB ( 2 x 2GB) DDR2-1066, 5-5-5-15, 2.1V
Hard DrivesWestern Digital Caviar Black WD 6401AALS 640GB, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache, SATA 3.0 Gb/sSeagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB, 7200 RPM, 16MB Cache, SATA 3.0 Gb/s
Graphics CardsAMD Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB GDDR5 750 MHz GPU, 900 MHz GDDR5AMD Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 750 MHz GPU, 900 MHz GDDR5
Power suppliesAntec Neo Power 650WAntec True Power Trio 650W
CoolersXigmatek HDT-S1283Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro
System Software And Drivers
OSWindows Vista Ultimate Edition, 32-bit, SP1
DirectX VersionDirectX 10
Display DriverCatalyst 9.2
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Benchmarks and Settings
3D Games
Crysis Version : 1.2.1, Video Quality : Very High Details, Demo : CPU-Benchmark + Tom’s Hardware Tool
Supreme Commander Forged AllianceVersion : 1.5.3599, Video Quality : Highest Settings, Demo : WallaceTX_006_006, Benchmark : Fraps 2.9.4 - Build 7037
Unreal Tournament 3Version : 1.2, Sound and DirectX10, Texture Details : 5, Level Details : 5, Demo : vCTF-Reflection_bot, Time : 12/60
World In ConflictVersion : 1.0.0.9, Video Quality : Very High details, Demo : Game-Benchmark
Audio Encoding
iTunesVersion : 7.7.0.43, Audio CD (Terminator II SE), 53 min, Default format AAC
Lame MP3Version : 3.98 Beta 3 (05-22-2007), Audio CD ""Terminator II SE, 53 min, wave to MP3, 160kb/s
Video Encoding
TMPEG 4.5Version : 4.5.1.254, Import File : Terminator 2 SE DVD (5 Minutes), Resolution : 720x576 (PAL) 16:9
DivX 6.8.3Encoding mode : Insane Quality, Enhanced Multi-threading, Enabled using SSE4, Quarter-pixel search
XviD 1.1.3Display encoding status = off
Mainconcept Reference 1.5.1Reference H.264 Plugin Pro 1.5.1MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264), MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec, 28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2), Audio : MPEG2 (44.1 kHz, 2 Channel, 16-Bit, 224 kbp/s), Mode : PAL (25 FPS), Profile : Tom’s Hardware Settings for Qct-Core
Applications
Autodesk 3D Studio Max 9Version : 9.0, Rendering Dragon Image at 1920x1080 (HDTV)
Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus 8Version : 8.0.134, Virus base : 270.4.5/1533, Benchmark : Scan 334 MB Folder of ZIP/RAR compressed files
WinRAR 3.80Version 3.70 BETA 8, WinZIP Commandline Version 2.3, Compression = Best, Dictionary = 4,096 KB, Benchmark : THG-Workload (334 MB)
WinZip 11Version 11.2, Compression = Best, Benchmark : THG-Workload (139 MB)
Synthetic Benchmarks
3Dmark VantageVersion : 1.02, GPU and CPU scores
PCMark VantageVersion : 1.00, System, Memory, Hard Disk Drive benchmarks, Windows Media Player 10.00.00.3646
SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2Version 2008.5.14.24, CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / MultiMedia, Memory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark
Paul Henningsen
53 Comments Comment from the forums
  • 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.
    Reply
  • 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.
    Reply
  • 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.
    Reply
  • radguy
    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.
    Reply
  • dirtmountain
    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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157154
    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.
    Reply
  • apache_lives
    Has anyone noticed the benchmarks for the i5's on anandtech yet?
    Reply
  • nerrawg
    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!
    Reply
  • Sihastru
    apache_livesHas 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.
    Reply
  • DjEaZy
    ... 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!!!
    Reply
  • erdinger
    Yes thanks, many people complained in the system builder marathon and you listened to the complaints... great.
    Reply