CPU Reviews & Articles

Test Setup

The Phenom II X3 720 and X4 810 are mainstream performance CPUs, so we're taking these up against similar AMD and Intel processors. Due to the mainstream pricing, we're leaving out the absolute top-end models, and have pitted these latest Phenom II processors against the Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66 GHz), the Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz), Q9400 (2.66 GHz, 6MB) and Q9450 (2.66 GHz, 12MB), and Core i7-920 (2.66 GHz). The AMD competition includes the Phenom X4 9950 (2.6 GHz) and Phenom II X4 920 (2.8 GHz) and X4 940 (3.0 GHz) models.

These processors are matched with corresponding platforms and peripherals, while ensuring consistency with the overall reference system mix. The Phenom II X3 and X4 processors use an AMD 790GX motherboard, while the Core 2 models get an Intel X48, the Phenom X4 is on a 790FX, and the Core i7 is powered by an Intel X58 board. The base memory capacity is set at 1GB modules, and the speed and type of memory is tailored to the mainstream market as well. The 790GX/FX platforms use 2x1GB of DDR2-800 (CL4), which we find yields slightly higher benchmark results compared to CL5 DDR2-1066. The Intel X58 sports 3x1GB DDR3-1066 (CL7), while the X48 has 2x1GB of DDR3-1066 or -1333 (CL9), depending on the CPU bus speed (FSB 1066 vs. 1333).

The default hard disk configuration is comprised of a Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB SATA 3.0 Gb/s drive, which provides top-end disk performance and ensures consistent benchmarking. The video component is also high-performance, and we have used a dual-GPU PNY GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB, which will provide more than enough GPU power for our gaming tests. We have also moved to Windows Vista Ultimate for our processor benchmarking, with recent updates applied.

The benchmark list includes a wide range of system, CPU, memory, and gaming tests. These include PCMark05, PCMark Vantage, SiSoft SANDRA 2009, WinRAR, and CINEBENCH 9.5/10, along with TMPGEnc 4.0 Xpress for MPEG-2, DivX, WMV and HDV encoding. We also utilize popular 3D game tests like ET: Quake Wars, Unreal Tournament 3, World in Conflict, 3DMark Vantage, 3DMark06, and Crysis. Our default game benchmark setting is 1024x768, which is well suited for CPU comparisons but still realistic as an actual game play resolution.

* Please note that unless otherwise stated, such as the media encoding times, all performance graph results equate to the standard "higher is better" routine.

Test Systems:

AMD Phenom II Reference System:
Processors: Phenom II X4 810, X3 720 BE, X4 940 and X4 920
Memory: 2 x 1GB Ultra DDDR2-800 (CAS4)
Motherboard: MSI DKA790GX Platinum
Motherboard chip set: AMD 790GX
Video Card: PNY GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 178.24
Hard-Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200.11
CD/DVD: Samsung DVD-R SH-S162
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate

Intel Core i7 Reference System:
Core 2 Processors: Core i7-920
Memory: 3 x 1GB DDR3-1066 (CL7)
Motherboard: Intel DX58SO
Motherboard chip set: Intel X58 Express
Video Card: PNY GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 178.24
Hard-Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200.11
CD/DVD: Samsung DVD-R SH-S162
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate

Intel Core 2 Reference System:
Core 2 Processors: Core 2 Duo E7300 and Core 2 Quad Q6600, Q9400 and Q9450
Memory 2 x 1GB OCZ DDR3-1333 (CL9)
Motherboard: Intel DX48BT2
Motherboard chip set: Intel X48 Express
Video Card: PNY GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 178.24
Hard-Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200.11
CD/DVD: Samsung DVD-R SH-S162
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate

AMD Phenom X4 Reference System:
Processors: Phenom X4 9950
Memory: 2 x 1GB Ultra DDDR2-800 (CAS4)
Motherboard: ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe
Motherboard chip set: AMD 790FX
Video Card: PNY GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 178.24
Hard-Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200.11
CD/DVD: Samsung DVD-R SH-S162
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W
Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate