AMD Phenom X4 9750 Quad Core CPU Review

Testing Methodology

When it comes to picking a new CPU, especially when said CPU requires a new architecture to run it properly, there are a few variables that we like to use before making our final decision. These variables roughly translate into the following categories: Performance, Game Performance, Energy Efficiency, Thermal output, Overclocking. As the level of importance of each of these variable will depend greatly on what you intend to use your computer for (e.g. game system, folding system, HTPC, etc.) we have broken these variable up into their own sections so you can give more or less weight to each of them as you see fit.

For the overclocking section we disabled spread spectrum, disabled cool and quiet and we set the maximum vCore of 1.45volts. This is very conservative but it is what we use for C2Ds and we want to make the playing field as even as possible. NB core voltage & HT voltage was also upped as necessary but kept as low as possible as we were not interested in doing any “suicide runs”.

For testing a given overclock had to be stable for 2hr of Prime95 “large fft” to be considered successful.

Since we will be comparing multiple Intel and AMD CPUs, we have taken steps to minimize external variables that could adversely effect the results. The first and biggest step is only 1 AM2+ and 1 Intel 775 motherboard will be used. For Intel CPUs we will be using a Gigabyte P35-DS4 motherboard. For all AMD tests a DFI LANPARTY UT 790FX-M2R will be used. The same RAM, Hard Drive, Video Card, CPU cooler, open rack (case), Power Supply and even DVD player will be used. All CPUs will have new virgin XP SP3 OS installed on them and then virgin state Vista Ultimate 32bit SP1 OS installed on them. All tests will be run 4 times with only best results used.

Complete Test System:

Processor:
Intel:
Q6600 & E4600
AMD:
Phenom 9750 & X2 5000 Black Edition

Motherboard:
Intel:
Gigabyte p35 DS4
AMD:
DFI LANPARTY UT 790FX-M2R

Memory: 4GB Mushkin HP2 PC6400 (5-5-5-15 2T @ 2.0v)
Graphics card: ASUS 8800GT TOP Edition
Hard Drive: 1x Western Digital Se16 500GB
Power Supply: Seasonic S12 600W


Please note: The Q9450 used in some of these benchmarks is for illustrative purposes only. This review is a “battle of the mid range quad cores” and it is only included to show what a higher end Intel CPU is capable of.