AMD Phenom 9600 Black Edition: New Hope?

Features
By published

Software Configuration

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System Software & Drivers
Operating SystemWindows Vista Enterprise Version 6.0 (Build 6000)
DirectX 10DirectX 10 (Vista default)
DirectX 9Version: April 2007
Sound CardVista Driver 2.13.0012 (15.03.2007)
Graphics CardNvidia ForceWare Version 158.18 (32 Bit) WHQL
X38-Chipset DriverVersion 8.1.1.1010 (21/11/2006)
Intel StorageMatrix-Storage Manager 7.0.0.1020
790FX-Chipset DriverAMD/ATI System Drivers 8.40 2007/11/09
JavaJava Runtime Environment 6.0 Update 1

Our Phenom test system using the MSI K9A2 Platinum board

Benchmarks And Settings

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3D Games
Warhammer Mark of ChaosVersion: 1.006.000Video Mode: 1280x1024Video Quality: game defaultMultiple CPU/CoreDemo: THG Timedemo (1 minutes)
Quake 4Version: 1.3 FinalVideo Mode: 1280x1024Video Quality: game defaultBenchmark I: THG TimedemoBenchmark II: playnettimedemo id_demo001(official ID-Soft NetTimeDemo)
Unreal Tournament 2004Version: 3369UMark: 2.0.0Video Mode: 1280x1024High Image QualityBots: 16Benchmark: AS-Junkyard
Serious Sam 2Version: 2.070Video Mode: 1024x768HDR Rendering: offRenderer: Direct3DFiltering mode: noneAntialiasing mode: noneBenchmark: Greendale
F.E.A.RVersion: 1.08 RetailVideo Mode: 1280x1024Computer: HighGraphics Card: CustomFSAA: offTexture Filtering: TrilinearBenchmark: Performance Test
Supreme CommanderVersion: 3.220Video Mode: 1024x768Video Quality: game defaultVsync = offBenchmark: real 60 second gamewith real three computer physics
PreyVersion: 1.3Video Mode: 1280x1024Video Quality: game defaultVsync = offBenchmark: THG-Demo
Audio
iTunes 7.2Version: 7.1.1.5Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 53 minHigh Quality (160 kbps)
Lame MP3Version 3.98 Beta 3 (05-22-2007)Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 53 minwave to mp3160 kbps
Video
Pinnacle Studio 11 PlusVersion: 11.0.0.5082Encoding and Transition RenderingPrivate MPEG2-Cam-MovieVideo: 720 x 480 Pixel, NTSC, 6000 kbits/secAudio: MPEG Layer 2, 224 kbits/sec 16 Bit, Stereo 48 KHzFile Type: MPEG-2 (DVD Compatible)
TMPEG 4.2Version: 4.2.10.211import file:Terminator 2 SE DVD (720x576, 16:9) 2 MinutesDolby Digital, 48000 Hz, 6-Channel, EnglishAdvanced Acoustic Engine MP3 Encoder (160 kbps)
DivX 6.6.1Version: 6.6.1- Main Menu -Profile: Home Theater Profile (720 x 576)1-pass, 780 kbit/s- Codec Menu -Encoding mode: Insane QualityEnhanced multithreading
XviD 1.1.2Version: 1.1.2 (01/11/2006)Target quantizer: 1.00 (maximum quality)
Clone DVD 2Version: 2.908DVD "Terminator II SE" (English version)Transcoding from DVD-9 to DVD-4.7Audio: English Dolby AC-3/6 (surround) - DTSSubtitle: no
MainConcept H.264 EncoderVersion: 2.0MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264)MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec24 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2)Audio: MPEG Layer 2 (48 kHz, 2 Channel, 16 Bit)Stream: TransportCodec: H.264Mode: NTSC (29.97 FPS)Profile: High
Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 HDTVWindows Media Encoder 9.1 AP HDTVWindows Audio Encoder 10 ProVersion: 2.0NTSC MPEG2-HDTV 1920x1080 (24 sec)Import: Mainconcept NTSC HDTV 1080iExport: Adobe Media Encoder- Video -Windows Media Video 9 Advanced ProfileEncoding Passes: oneBitrate Mode: ConstantFrame: 1920x1080Frame Rate: 29.97Maximum Bitrate [kbps]: 2000Image Quality: 50.00- Audio -Windows Media Audio 10 ProfessionalEncoding Passes: oneBitrate Mode: ConstantAudio Format: 160 kbps, 44.1 kHz, 2 channel 16 bit (A/V) CBR
HD Playback (Blue Ray)PowerDVD HD 7.3Blue Ray - Disc (James Bond - Casino Royale)Video Mode: 1920x1080p (full screen)Codec: H.264
Applications
Grisoft AVG Anti-VirusVersion: 7.5.467Virus base: 269.6.1./776Benchmark: Windows XP (Windows folder)
WinrarVersion 3.70 BETA 8Compression = BestDictionary = 4096 kBBenchmark: THG-Workload
Autodesk 3D Studio Max 9Version: 9.0Rendering a Dragon picturerendering HTDV 1920x1080
Maxon Cinema 4D Release 10Version: 10.008Rendering from a scene"Water drop at a Rose"Resolution: 1280 x 1024 - 8Bit (50 frames)
Adobe Photoshop CS 3Version: 10.0x20070321Filtering from a 69 MB TIF-PhotoBenchmark: Tomshardware-Benchmark V1.0.0.4Programmed by Tomshardware using Delphi 2006Filers:CrosshatchGlassSumi-eAccented EdgesAngled StrokesSprayed Strokes
Adobe Acrobat 7 ProfessionalVersion: 7.0.9Settings: High Quality PrintCompatibility: Acrobat 8 (PDF 1.7)Security: High (128-bit RC4)
Microsoft Powerpoint 2007Version: 2007PPT to PDFPowerpoint Document (115 Pages)Adobe PDF-Printer
Deep Fritz 10Version: Nov 16 2006
Synthetic Benchmarks
3DMark06Version: 1.101280x1024 - 32 bitGraphics and CPU Default Benchmark
PCMark05 ProVersion: 1.2.0CPU and Memory TestsWindows Media Player 10.00.00.3646Windows Media Encoder 9.00.00.2980
SiSoftware Sandra XI SP1cVersion 2007.5.11.40CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / MultiMediaMemory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark
The Editors of Tom's Hardware
The Editors of Tom's Hardware

Tom's Hardware is the leading destination for hardcore computer enthusiasts. We cover everything from processors to 3D printers, single-board computers, SSDs and high-end gaming rigs, empowering readers to make the most of the tech they love, keep up on the latest developments and buy the right gear. Our staff has more than 100 years of combined experience covering news, solving tech problems and reviewing components and systems.

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ShadowKai
    I think on page 14 the author meant:

    "When Cool'n'Quiet is deactivated, idle power consumption rises to 51 watts. The jump in power consumption at 2.70 GHz is a direct result of the core voltage increase from 1.250 V to 1.400 V."

    And the bars for Phenom 9600 BE and Phenom 9600 BE (CnC) should be switched around.
    Reply
  • I think it's also important to mention the fact that Vista SP1 includes it's OWN TLB fix which overrides the bios setting of many boards. I used an app that works in conjunction with Crystal CPUID to change the MSR directly to deactivate this secondary TLB fix. It caused a dramatic improvement in performance; the quick and simple WinRAR bench went from 232 to ~1300 after the fix. Just think it's worth mentioning!
    Reply
  • I think I may have found a new problem with this bug. I have a Phenom X4 9600, and have tried two different motherboards. The problem occurs when running Windows 7. BSOD with a message stating that the operating system did not receive an clock interupt signal from the second processor. At first I thought it was a bios problem, but have since had to replace the motherboard. Tried Windows 7 again after replacing the motherboard and still having the same problem.
    Reply