Introduction:
AMDs release on July 1st 2008 included the introduction to three new quad core processors. One of which is the 9950, which was released to fix the TLB erratum problems on the 9900. The other two released were products new to the market, the 9150e and the 9350e. While the TLB issue may have been an issue for some customers, the new B3 stepping introduced in the 9×50 series no longer has this problem.
AMD has named the new series with what they are calling their ‘9×50 series’ of processors. This makes things very easy for the consumer to identify the new cpu’s when purchasing, and identifying the new B3 stepping processors from the initial 9×00 series. Previously released AMD Phenom X4 processors are the 9550 (2.2GHz), 9650 (2.3GHz), 9750 (2.4GHz) and 9850 (2.5GHz). And newly added to the lineup is the 9150e (1.8GHz), 9350 (2.0GHz), and the 9950 (2.6GHz).
The processor we are reviewing today is the AMD Phenom X4 9950 Quad Core with the new B3 Stepping using the 65nm Silicon on Insulator process technology. This new processor is a ‘Black Edition’ and has the CPU/FSB multiplier unlocked for easier overclocking, but it has a nominal TDP of 140W making temperature control during overclocking very critical. We have also noticed that the 9950 processor has a faster 2.0GHz memory controller, making it among the best of the other ‘9×50 series’ processors that retain the slower 1.8GHz or 1.6GHz memory controller.
CPU Specifications (New AMD Phenom X4):
| Processor Model / Frequency: | X4 9950 / 2.6GHz
X4 9350e / 2.0GHz X4 9150e / 1.8GHz |
| L1 Cache Sizes: | 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (512 KB total L1 per processor) |
| L2 Cache Sizes: | 512KB of L2 data cache per core (2MB total L2 per processor) |
| L3 Cache Size: | 2MB (shared) |
| Packaging: | Socket AM2+ 940-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA) |
| Fab location: | AMD’s Fab 36 wafer fabrication facilities in Dresden, Germany |
| Process Technology: | 65-nanometer DSL SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology |
| Approximate Transistor count: | ~ 450 million |
| Approximate Die Size: | 285 mm2 |
| Memory Controller Type: | Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller * |
| Types of Memory Supported: | Support for unregistered DIMMs up to PC2 8500 (DDR2-1066MHz) |
| Memory Controller Speed: | X4 9950: up to 2.0GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management
X4 9350e: up to 1.8GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management X4 9150e: up to 1.6GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management |
| HyperTransport 3.0 Specification: | X4 9950: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)
X4 9350e: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 3.6GHz full duplex (1.8GHz x2) X4 9150e: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 3.2GHz full duplex (1.6GHz x2) |
| Total Processor Bandwidth: | X4 9950: Up to 33.1 GB/s bandwidth
X4 9350e: Up to 31.5 GB/s bandwidth X4 9150e: Up to 29.9 GB/s bandwidth |
| Max Ambient Case Temp: | X4 9950: 61 degrees Celsius
X4 9350e: 70 degrees Celsius X4 9150e: 70 degrees Celsius |
| Nominal Voltage: | X4 9950: 1.05-1.30 Volts
X4 9350e: 1.05-1.125 Volts X4 9150e: 1.05-1.15 Volts |
| Max TDP: | X4 9950: 140 Watts
X4 9350e: 65 Watts X4 9150e: 65 Watts |
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*Note: configurable for dual 64-bit channels for simultaneous read/writes
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Very good information! I am also having good success at 3.0 ghz so far. Thanks for the hard work on putting this together
I have been looking looking around for this kind of information. Will you post some more in future? I’ll be grateful if you will.
Great Blogging!!
Keep Your Good Work Going!!
is also preparing for a Monday launch of its new platform built around the new Phenom processors and the 700 series chipsets. While we are hearing nice things about the flagship 790FX chipset that will also be launched next week, the expectations are all about the processors, especially because it will give current AM2 socket motherboard owners the possibility of swapping and upgrading to the new generation of CPUs without having to change additional components.