Does 790FX + SB750 = High-End Overclocking?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Asus M3A79-T Deluxe
- 3. M3A79-T Deluxe Software, BIOS, and Accessories
- 4. Foxconn A79A-S
- 5. A79A-S Software, BIOS, and Accessories
- 6. Jetway HA04-Ultra
- 7. Test Settings
Enthusiasts who count themselves among the AMD faithful continue to look for even the slightest performance advancement as the company’s “Spider" platform” reaches its first birthday. Several factors have held the otherwise strong value-oriented processor/chipset/graphics combination back from also achieving the highest marks in performance as well: bugs in the new processor core, severe limitations in CPU speed and overclocking capability, and the delayed release of AMD’s SB750 high-performance southbridge.
By the time the SB750 was released, most motherboard manufacturers considered the enthusiast-grade 790FX, with its 32 PCI Express 2.0 pathways divisible to support four graphics cards, old news—even though it’s still perhaps the most advanced AM2+ chipset available. But while many insisted that we try to wedge AMD’s newer mainstream-targeted 790GX integrated chipset into the enthusiast space, three brands stuck to AMD’s initial concept by combining the now mature 790FX with the delayed SB750.
The SB750 carries with it the promise of better overclocking through Advaced Clock Control (ACC), a setting many enthusiasts have guessed involves loosening certain thresholds on some of the processor’s internal "tumblers," as AMD puts it. Previous tests have shown that this feature can boost CPU overclocking capability significantly, though its effectiveness varies with individual processors.
Superior CrossFireX support remains the main reason to choose the 790FX over competing solutions, but will the SB750’s ACC feature set these apart from previous products for overclocking? Before we find out, let’s take a closer look at the new motherboards.
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The clock rates in this article are very very low, even SB600 motherboards where beating some of the overclocks here.
AMD chips shine after 3.3mhz, and you guys didnt even push them that far.
http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=442306
Example of a overclocked 9950, not the 3.1ghz this article implies is it.
Goodbye.
Let me start with the unpleasant question that must be asked: did Toms even TRY to OC or did they just make it all up? Given the claims of hitting 3.7GHz on air with ACC tweakery and proven posted results well over 3.5GHz I'm starting to think Toms just made all the results up.
One massively biased article may not be so dodgy on its own but all the slight comments and endless derision and misstatements here and there AND all of heavily biased articles over the last 18 months makes it clear as to who "funds" Tom's Group nowadays; I finally feel they've finally gone too far.
I'm not a big AMD fanboi - its an Intel CPU powering my rig - but all this bias ultimately serves one purpose - an Intel monopoly - which WILL hurt ALL enthusiasts and the PC market in general regardless of the current excellence of their products; they won't be so good if Intel has no competition. Its the unaccountable, slightly ridiculous and either childish or openly corrupt behavior of Toms thats riled me and - far more importantly - killed the trust I had in them. In which case the entire site is as impartial as an Intel press release.
Sorry, but you suck Tomshardware.
EU INVESTIGATORS have decided that Intel has been a very naughty chip maker and will hand it a severe spanking when the verdict is delivered in late summer, according to the FT Deutschland.
Citing sources in Brussels, the paper says Intel will be forced to stop offering customers rebates in return for exclusivity. The firm will also have to stop subsidising retailers' advertising, which could mean the end of its boing bingly-bing-bong annoyance at the end of such ads.
The punishment Intel is in line to receive will be one the most severe in the EU's history, the paper said.
According to the report, EU commissioner Neelie Kroes has already made her mind up, and the lady is not for turning.
After months of investigations into Intel's business practices, Eurocrats have enough evidence to throw the book at Intel, it appears. They will now spend the summer adding weight to that book.
A shocked Intel in the US promised us a comment once its senior spinners awake. µ
How much they pay you people, or how many freebies did you collect.
I do belive they pointed out at the begining the dissapointment in the high end leverage of these products, but outlined that they wanted to fous on value.
I used to bleed AMD green shaded blood, but all this fuss over Toms Hardware not OCing to 3.5 or 3.7GHz is a tad over the top.
I always read these AMD articles hoping somehow AMD may pull some magic rabbit from their hat, but until we see a genuinely re-worked core its not going to happen.
An extra integer pipeline to leverage the increased ILP achievable in x86-64, combined with some SMT implementation would be nice. They're doing a lot of good talk with future integration of GPU's and CPU's but without a strong CPU offering I only see their market share dwindling.
At the end of the day a Q6600 pushes further at a lower cost price and better end performance, so why bother with an overpriced Phenom 9950? A Core 2 Quad @ 3.6GHz & an Intel E4600 @ 3.9GHz show where my money is at for the time being...