07:38 - Monday 19 November 2007 by Bert Töpelt, Daniel Schuhmann
Source: Tom's Hardware UK – Keywords: Phenom_9700, Spider_Platform, 790FX
Categories: Hardware
Source: Tom's Hardware UK – Keywords: Phenom_9700, Spider_Platform, 790FX
Categories: Hardware
Table of content:
Phenom - Models
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Three different CPU models were mentioned in the first slide of the presentation we received in preparation for AMD’s event.
| Name | Clock Speed | L2 Cache | L3 Cache | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Phenom 9700 | 2.4 GHz | 4x 512 KB | 2 MB | 125 W |
| AMD Phenom 9600 | 2.3 GHz | 4x 512 KB | 2 MB | 95 W |
| AMD Phenom 9500 | 2.2 GHz | 4x 512 KB | 2 MB | 95 W |
We tested all three models extensively.
AMD Phenom 9700
AMD Phenom 9600
AMD Phenom 9500
However, once the presentation reached the point where specific models were mentioned, AMD only spoke about two of the models.
As you can imagine, the journalists present asked why AMD’s presentation was limited to the Phenom 9500 and 9600 models and what had happened to the 9700...
- Previous page Direct AMD Comparison - Phenom and...
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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.
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).
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.
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
P.S. But it will be better
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.