In the last quarter of 2008 PCWizKid received the latest AMD processor the AMD Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition. Since then we have been using it as part of our test PC and is the core affecting all benchmarking results done.
Though AMD has released the Phenom II in 2009 today we are reviewing not just benchmarks, but how to install it as well with the stock fan that it comes with it in the retail box. PCWizKid give's you a complete walkthrough this processor which does not have its core values locked leaving it open for overclocking it.
The Phenom X4 9950 is codenamed Agena, its a Quad Core with the new B3 Stepping using the 65nm Silicon on Insulator process technology.
Here are the specs of the model CPU used in this review:
Processor
AMD Phenom™ X4 Quad-Core
Model
9950
OPN Tray
HD995ZXAJ4BGH
OPN PIB
HD995ZXAGHBOX
Operating Mode 32 Bit
Yes
Operating Mode 64 Bit
Yes
Revision
B3
Core Speed (MHz)
2600 (stock), 3.0Ghz (Overclocked)
Voltages
1.05-1.30v (Stock) , ~1.45v (Overclocked)
Max Ambient Case Temp (C)
61'C
Wattage
125 W
L1 Cache Size (KB)
128
L1 Cache Count
4
L2 Cache Size (KB)
512
L2 Cache Count
4
L3 Cache Size (KB)
2048
CMOS
65nm SOI
Socket
AM2+ (940 pins)
Conclusion As shown in the video review above PCWizKid overclocked successfully at 3.0ghz , thats just over a 15% gain from the stock value. The test PC ran through burn-in tests with Prime95, AMD Overdrive and Orthos for a total of 12hrs+ until we were convinced that the bios parameters used (Multiplier of 15 and core voltage of 1.45v) gave a stable system.
PCWizKid ran the industry standard Arithmetic and Logic Unit's (ALU) (Integer) speed test using the SiSoftware Sandra Pro. the combined results overall proved the performance jump of overclocking against the stock value and other Phenom and Intel CPU's. Here is a screenshot as seen in the video review.
The total amount of completed Instructions per Second was 42427 MIPS, which compared to the Intel Core 2 Quad QX6700 with 32177 MIPS is a definitely a winner. For the price point currently the AMD Phenom X4 9950 BE is a terrific choice for gamers looking to overclock and exceed easily the stock values getting terrific performance.
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In the last quarter of 2008 PCWizKid received the latest AMD processor the 
overclock and exceed easily the stock values getting terrific performance.
