Categories:

Direct AMD Comparison - Phenom and Athlon X2

07:38 - Monday 19 November 2007 by Bert Töpelt, Daniel Schuhmann
Source: Tom's Hardware UK – Keywords: Phenom_9700, Spider_Platform, 790FX
Categories: Hardware

Table of content:

Direct AMD Comparison - Phenom and Athlon X2

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In the following table we compare the most important technical characteristics of the Phenom and the Athlon X2.

AMD Phenom Launch

Phenom vs. Athlon X2
PhenomAthlon X2
Code NameAgenaWindsor
Brisbane
Orleans
Lima
Manila
Clock Speedmax. 2.30 GHzmax. 3.20 GHz
HypertransportHTT 1.0
HTT 2.0
HTT 3.0
HTT 1.0
HTT 2.0
L1 Cache4x 64+64 KB2x 64+64 KB
L2 Cache4x 512 KB2x 1 MB
2x 512 KB
L3 Cache2 MBnone
Fabrication Process65 nm90 nm
65 nm
Transistors600 M 227 M
154 M
DIE Area285 mm²183 mm²
230 mm²
TDP125 W125 W
89 W
65 W
62 W
45 W
35 W
Cool’n’QuietVersion 2.0Version 1.0
Instruction SetsMMX
3DNow!
NX
X86-64
Pacifica
Presidio
SSE
SSE2
SSE3
SSE4A
MMX
3DNow!
NX
X86-64
Pacifica
Presidio
SSE
SSE2
SSE3

 

The Phenom processor carries the code name Agena and uses the B2 stepping.

CPU-Z correctly recognizes the 2MB L3 cache


Talkback
tstebbens 19/11/2007 12:40
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tstebbens

"Intel, since the chip giant has already announced that its current high-end platform X38 will be incompatible to the next generation of high-end CPUs at the beginning of next year."

I'd rather have a slower processor but not have to rebuy the 3 of the most expensive components (CPU, mobo, and RAM) every time I want to upgrade something. That's why I've stuck with AMD for the last few years. Can't wait to drop a couple of Phenom FXs in to my 4x4 platform and have 8 processing cores.

technogiant 19/11/2007 01:32
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technogiant

Not so sure about forthcoming compatibility.

What is going to happen when AMD shortly moves to 45nm processors with DDR3 memory controllers?

unless AMD are going to put both DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers on their 45nm processors or make them in both DDR2 and DDR3 versions then you will have to change you're ram, motherboard and processor to go 45nm.(that didn't happen with intel)

Unless motherboard makers put both DDR2 and DDR3 slots on current boards although the latter wouldn't be supported until 45nm come in.(can't see that happening though).

spuddyt 19/11/2007 06:39
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spuddyt

why do the companies have to be so selfish with this incompatable SSE thingy....

spuddyt 19/11/2007 07:00
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spuddyt

P21, that table isn't really taking the quad core part into account... because look, in things like supreme commander its quite a bit faster... (which is important to me...)

spuddyt 19/11/2007 07:03
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spuddyt

LOL at the .1% extra value for money compared to the q6600, AMD clearly did that to annoy intel...

jamesalexw 19/11/2007 09:47
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jamesalexw

Well seen as though thats a brand new chipset as well wouldn't it be a little foolish to expect full performance straight out of the box ?

I think these chips have more to come, thats an engineering sample and the mainboards got a chipset with undeveloped drivers.

I say give it a month for the nvidia chipset....... and retest.

bobwya 19/11/2007 11:23
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bobwya

Intels @4Ghz OC on air... AMD is on @3Ghz OC on air... Oh dear...

I can see why they need 4x Crossfire boards given the lack luster performance of the new ATI cards... ATI seem to be struggling since their Cope-de-grace with the X19xx series...

AMD clearly has a good design (architecture) but the process technology is their achilles heal. They need 4Mb+ L3 cache, high K transistor process, and 45nm like yesterday!!

As a bit of an AMD fanboy (I'm on a dual Opteron rig just now) I hate to see whats happening to them now!!

Bob

crackez 20/11/2007 03:03
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crackez

Bob if AMD was having 4mb+ L3 cache, high K transistor process and 45nm it will be twice expensive as the intel's solutions.

P.S. But it will be better :P.. I'm currently on a AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+.. and it's a bit overclocked(from 2.6 GHz to 3.01 Ghz) ..I'm on water although. Wish AMD be back on top!

Wild9 22/11/2007 03:18
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Wild9

I think for server setups this HT 3.0 is gonna shine. More so if you want to build a super-computer system. The bandwidth gains are enormous. But the actual core performance..sorry AMD, but this is just a little disappointing. Intel's current stock is already ahead of you. Perhaps 45nm products will address this (and allow for more L3 cache).

Overall, I like the way AMD has gone for compatibility and performance. The price is phenomenal and the ease of implementation will ensure downtime during upgrades is kept to a minimum. It's easy to under-estimate just how hard that is to pull off.

Wild9 22/11/2007 03:28
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Wild9

One of the CPU-Z pics shows a higher Vcore? Come on lads..who'se been naughty! ;) p.s. I would.

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