![\"Athlon-II-vs-Phenom-II\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/09\/athlon-ii-vs-phenom-ii.jpg\" "\\"Athlon-II-vs-Phenom-II\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn the last part<\/a> we took a look at the kind of performance you can expect from AMD\u2019s value platform consisting of an Athlon II X2 250 processor paired with a GIGABYTE MA-770T UD3P motherboard and a ATI Radeon HD 4650 graphic card. To give you a broad range of performance results, I changed the video cards and tested with HD 4770, HD 4870 and HD 4890. In this part of the series, I will be changing the CPU to Phenom II X2 550 and we will see how this change in CPU affects the performance.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at the architectural comparison between the Athlon II X2 and the Phenom II X2. Pay close attention to the last column. The Phenom II lineup carries a little more than 3 times the number of transistors than the Athlon II X2 lineup. This is due to the addition of 6MB L3 cache on the Phenom II lineup. However, Athlon II has an advantage over the Phenom II when you compare the L2 cache per core. In this review we are going to look at how the difference in L2 and L3 caches differentiates the two CPUs.<\/p>\n In this part, I will be testing the following configurations as far as the gaming tests go:<\/p>\n Test System<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Overclocking can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. It\u2019s fun to get extra \u201cfree\u201d performance out of your hardware but you also run the risk of destroying it by overheating or overvolting. So I\u2019m going to show you how I achieved my overclock but I don\u2019t take any responsibility for any damage you may do to your own hardware by following my method.<\/p>\n Here is the stock CPU-Z screenshot\u00a0 For the GIGABYTE MA770T-UD3P motherboard, MB Intelligent Tweaker is where you need to be if you are trying to overclock. I started off by turning Cool&Quiet and C1E options off. Then I set all the multipliers from \u201cAuto\u201d to their default values for stock speed. I reached a final speed of 3890 MHz on the CPU with the HT Link and IMC (Integrated Memory Controller\/Northbridge) both running at 2510 MHz. The base frequency was 251 MHz. The RAM was set to x6.66 multiplier or DDR 1333 mode and ended up with a max of 1672 MHz with 8-8-8-21-2T timings.<\/p>\n Voltages were as follows:<\/p>\n If you compare this to the overclock that I achieved on the Athlon II X2 250 in the last part of this series<\/a>, you will find that the IMC is running at quite a lower speed on the Phenom while the RAM is running at slightly higher speed with slightly looser timings. We will have to see how this affects our benchmark and gaming suite.<\/p>\n Below is the result of the Everest Cache and Memory benchmark with stock settings on left, and overclocked on right<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cinebench R10<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is a bit about Cinebench from the official site<\/a>:<\/p>\n CINEBENCH is a real-world test suite that assesses your computer\u2019s performance capabilities. MAXON CINEBENCH is based on MAXON\u2019s award-winning animation software CINEMA 4D, which is used extensively by studios and production houses worldwide for 3D content creation.<\/p>\n The test procedure consists of two main components: The first test sequence is dedicated to the computer\u2019s main processor. A 3D scene file is used to render a photorealistic image. The scene makes use of various CPU-intensive features such as reflection, ambient occlusion, area lights and procedural shaders. During the first run the benchmark only uses one CPU (or CPU core) to ascertain a reference value. On computers that have multiple CPUs or CPU cores and on those that simulate multiple CPUs (via HyperThreading or similar technologies), MAXON CINEBENCH will run a second test using all available CPU power.<\/p>\n The second test measures graphics card performance and is run inside the 3D editor window. The project file used can test all graphics cards that support the OpenGL standard. In this scene, only the camera was animated. This scene places medium to low demands on graphics cards and tests the maximum speed with which the scene can be properly displayed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n SANDRA<\/strong><\/p>\n SiSoftware Sandra<\/strong> (the S<\/strong>ystem AN<\/strong>alyser, D<\/strong>iagnostic and R<\/strong>eporting A<\/strong>ssistant) is an information & diagnostic utility. It should provide most of the information (including undocumented) that you need to know about your hardware, software and other devices.<\/p>\n Everest<\/strong><\/p>\n EVEREST Ultimate Edition is a system diagnostics and benchmarking solution for enthusiast PC users. During system optimizations and tweaking, it provides essential system and overclock information, advanced hardware monitoring and diagnostics capabilities to check the effects of the applied settings. The CPU, FPU and memory benchmarks are available to measure the actual system performance and compare it to previous states or other systems. Furthermore, complete software, operating system and security information makes EVEREST Ultimate Edition a comprehensive system diagnostics tool that offers a total of 100 pages of information about your PC.<\/p>\n CustomPC Benchmark<\/strong><\/p>\n These benchmarks use widely available open-source applications to carry out the tasks that most of us perform on a regular basis. There are three tests, each of which measure different aspects of a PC\u2019s performance. These tests are NOT synthetic benchmarks, but instead they use real world scenarios to test the performance.<\/p>\n The tests are:<\/p>\n GIMP Image Editing<\/em><\/p>\n H.264 Video Encoding<\/em><\/p>\n Multitasking<\/em><\/p>\n PCMark Vantage<\/strong><\/p>\n PCMark Vantage is a PC benchmark suite designed for Windows Vista offering one-click simplicity for casual users and detailed, professional grade testing for industry, press and enthusiasts.<\/p>\n A PCMark score is a measure of your computer\u2019s performance across a variety of common tasks such as viewing and editing photos, video, music and other media, gaming, communications, productivity and security.<\/p>\n From desktops and laptops to workstations and gaming rigs, by comparing your PCMark Vantage score with other similar systems you can find the hardware and software bottlenecks that stop you getting more from your PC.<\/p>\n 7z Compression<\/strong><\/p>\n This is one of our custom designed tests. For this test, I use the freely available 7z software<\/a> and the Big Buck Bunny movie available from this Divx HD Video showcase<\/a> page. I compress this 507MB video file using normal settings for 7z. The settings are shown below<\/p>\n Fritz Chess Bench v4.2<\/strong><\/p>\n Download from here<\/a><\/p>\n x264 HD Benchmark v2<\/strong><\/p>\n We are using TechARP\u2019s x264 HD benchmark<\/a>. This test uses the open source x264 encoder for H.264 streams to encode videos and measure the time taken. In this test, we are reporting the results of the second pass from the newer version of x264 used in this test. The reasoning behind reporting only the second pass FPS is that 100% CPU may not be used in the first pass due to bottlenecking by Avisynth or other factors.<\/p>\n LameXP<\/strong><\/p>\n This is another of our custom tests. LameXP<\/a> software is specifically used for this purpose because it is highly multi-threaded. The way multi-threading works is that this software assigns each track to be encoded to an individual core. As an example, say you are encoding 4 tracks and have a quad core processor. Instead of waiting for first track to complete encoding to start the encoding of the second track, this software will instead assign each track to a core. LameXP is a graphical front-end for the LAME MP3<\/a>, Ogg Vorbis<\/a> and Nero AAC<\/a> audio encoders. Supported input types are Wave, MP3, MP2, OGG\/Vorbis, FLAC, MP4\/AAC, AC3, DTS, WavPack, Musepack, TTA, Speex, Monkey\u2019s Audio, Shorten, ALAC and WMA. It also reads M3U, PLS and ASX playlists as well as Cuesheets.<\/p>\n For this test, I used 30 WAV files obtained from my collection of Gladiator and The Village<\/em> soundtrack CDs and converted them to mp3 using the LAME encoder with maximum quality\/q0 settings.<\/p>\n Game Benchmarks<\/strong><\/p>\n For some of the games we use a custom recorded timedemo. All these timedemos can be downloaded from here<\/a>.<\/p>\n I would like to mention that the FRAPS min\/max results don\u2019t always correspond with the frame by frame FPS results. So, you might see some discrepancy in the min\/max and min\/max of the line graphs.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s move on to the results.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Performance for Athlon II X2 250<\/strong> <\/span><\/span>in the above tests can be found in the image below<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3DMark 06<\/strong><\/p>\n 3DMark06 is a PC benchmark suite designed to test the DirectX9 performance of your graphics card. 3DMark06 is the most downloaded benchmark and the ORB database of 3DMark 06 results, maintained by Futuremark, now contains over 8.5 million 3DMark06 benchmark scores from around the world. Three main graphic tests from 3DMark05 were carried over to 3DMark06 and updated. The tests included in 3DMark 06 feature HDR rendering, shadow mapping, water surfaces created using pixel shaders with HDR refraction, HDR reflection, depth fog and Gerstner wave functions, heterogeneous fog, light scattering and cloud blending, etc.<\/em><\/p>\n 3DMark Vantage<\/strong><\/p>\n 3DMark Vantage is a PC benchmark suite designed to test the DirectX10 performance of your graphics card. It is the latest addition to the 3DMark series. As it is a DX10-only benchmark, it only runs on Windows Vista and Windows 7. 3DMark Vantage is composed of four full-bore benchmarking tests (2 CPU tests and 2 GPU tests) and 6 feature tests. This test makes good use of multi-core CPUs and can even use Nvidia\u2019s PhysX technology on its GeForce lineup of video cards.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Call of Juarez <\/strong>is one of the earliest DirectX10 games from the Polish developer Techland. It is a First Person Shooter set in the Wild West, loosely based on a number of Western movie hits which were popular in the sixties and early seventies. Call of Juarez uses the Chrome Engine which utilizes modern game programming technologies and techniques such as\u00a0 High Dynamic Range (HDR) rendering, Support for all modern per-pixel lighting and rendering techniques including normal mapping, relief mapping, self-shadowing using ambient occlusion, subsurface scattering simulating diffusion and diffraction of rays finding their way through translucent objects; realistic water surfaces based on dynamic liquid system, real time HDR reflections and refraction, fading underwater visibility based on distance.<\/em><\/p>\n We used the benchmark tool that is added to the game with the patch 1.1.1.0. Since this game is very tough on even high end video cards, a HD 4650 was not able to play it smoothly at 1280\u00d71024 with the highest settings. So we have split the settings into a \u201cBest Playable\u201d and \u201cHighest Quality\u201d at 1280\u00d71024 resolution. In the \u201cBest Playable\u201d setting we have tried to achieve an average framerate of 25.<\/p>\n Here are the \u201cBest Playable\u201d Settings:<\/p>\n In this benchmark, there is not much of a difference between the two CPUs except when used with a HD 4770.<\/p>\n Next up is the \u201cHighest Settings\u201d category.<\/p>\n The extra cache in the Phenom II X2 550 does not give it a significant advantage over the Athlon II X2 250.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at the benchmark running with the same max settings, but now running at 1920\u00d71200:<\/p>\n The trend continues when the resolution is cranked up to 1920×1200. Both the configurations produce almost identical results.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Call of Duty 4:Modern Warfare<\/em><\/a> was one of the most successful games of 2007.\u00a0 It was the top-selling game worldwide for 2007, selling over seven million copies by January 2008. It uses a proprietary game engine that includes features such as true world-dynamic lightning, HDR lighting effects, dynamics shadows, and depth of field. It features a fictional story set in the near-future. The most well-received part of the game is its multiplayer modes, where you earn experience points for kills and completing certain tasks online. These experience points unlock certain abilities and new and more powerful guns which can tip the balance in your favor in online matches.<\/em><\/p>\n For testing this game, I recorded a timedemo on the \u201cVacant\u201d map. The demo was recorded while trying to capture some of the most graphically intense sections of the game like throwing a smoke grenade and then walking and shooting in it which really brings all the cards to their knees resulting in the minimum FPS. The demo was played back at normal speed with the demo command from the console and the results were recorded by FRAPS.<\/p>\n Here are the settings used:<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at 1920\u00d71200 performance:<\/p>\n This is another game that does not benefit from the extra cache on the Phenom II.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Race Driver: GRID<\/strong> is the latest addition to the TOCA Touring Car series by Codemasters. GRID is a hybrid between arcade and simulator of mainly road racing that consists of 43 cars featuring very fast racing, awesome graphics, along with a great damage model that leads to some of the most fantastic crashes we have seen in a game. There are several types of competitions for different cars: GT races, open wheel races, demolition derbies, etc.\u00a0 There are also several tracks from different countries, including Japan, the United States and European tracks, such as Le Mans and Spa Francorchamps.\u00a0 A track racing through the streets of Milan is also available.<\/em><\/p>\n I use the GRID Demo for the benchmark. I take the first place in the first lap and use the second lap for benchmarking purposes.<\/p>\n Here are the settings we used:<\/p>\n GRID is the first game in our benchmark suite to see some sizeable gains from the extra cache on the Phenom II. Gains are bigger at a lower CPU limited resolution i.e. 1280×1024.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Street Fighter is one of the most popular and historical games. First released by Capcom for arcades in 1987, it has wowed gamers all around the world ever since. Street Fighter IV is the first numbered Street Fighter game released by Capcom for the arcades since 1999. It was released for coin-operated arcade machines in July 2008; for consoles in February, 2009 and the PC got its version in July, 2009. Street Fighter IV sold more than 2.5 million copies since its release.<\/em><\/p>\n It features models and backgrounds rendered in 3D while the gameplay takes place in a traditional 2D plane.<\/em><\/p>\n A benchmark for the PC version can be downloaded from here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here are the settings used:<\/p>\n Not much difference between the CPUs here. The results on both the CPUs are almost replicas of each other.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl<\/strong>, previously known as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Oblivion Lost<\/strong>, is a first-person shooter computer game by Ukrainian developer <\/em>GSC Game World<\/em><\/a>, published in 2007. It features an alternate reality theme, where a second nuclear disaster occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the near future and causes strange changes in the area around it. It features a non-linear storyline which feature role-playing gameplay elements such as trading and allying with NPC factions. The player assumes the identity of a S.T.A.L.K.E.R.; an illegal artifact scavenger in \u201cThe Zone\u201d which encompasses roughly 30 square kilometers.<\/em><\/p>\n We are using a custom recorded timedemo for benchmark purposes. The Steam version of this game is used. Here are the settings used:<\/p>\n We see some measurable gains at CPU limited resolution i.e. 1280×1024. The biggest gain is with HD 4770. The increase in average FPS at 1920×1200 is much less.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Team Fortress 2<\/strong> is a team-based first-person shooter multiplayer video game developed by Valve.\u00a0 A sequel to Valve\u2019s previous Team Fortress Classic, it was first released as part of the video game compilation The Orange Box, which featured games like Half Life 2:Episode 2 and Portal. Team Fortress 2 is focused around two opposing teams competing for an objective. Players can choose to play as one of nine classes in these teams, each with his own unique strengths and weaknesses.<\/em><\/p>\n This game gives a good idea of performance of other games based on Valve\u2019s source engine. We are using a custom recorded timedemo for benchmarking.<\/p>\n Here are the settings used:<\/p>\n Games based on the source engine are fairly CPU limited. That is the reason why we see a substantial gain in average FPS even at 1920×1200.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The world is in a recession. Many people are getting laid off and having to cut back on their expenses. Some users out there might be looking to save some money on their monthly electricity bill and they will definitely be interested in the power usage of this platform. But I am also interested in reducing the voltage on the CPU to see how low it can go.<\/p>\n AMD\u2019s Cool&Quiet and C1E power saving technologies were enabled.<\/p>\n The lowest voltage the PC was stable was at 1.1V which is normal Vcore-0.2V. The stability was tested by running Cinebench R10 xCPU bench and a game at the same time.<\/p>\n Here are the CPU-Z screens of undervolted idle and load states.<\/p>\n Note the voltages in this test<\/strong> (measured in Windows) :<\/p>\n Athlon II X2 250<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Phenom II X2 550<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Although we don\u2019t see a big difference at normal and undervolted states in idle mode between the two CPUs, we see a 10W or greater difference due to presence of the L3 cache on the Phenom II X2 550. Once overclocked, the Phenom II X2 550 consumes a lot more power than the Athlon II X2 250.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now is the time to weigh in all the tests and speak the truth whether it is justifiable to spend extra $$$ for Phenom II X2 550 over Athlon II X2 250. Out of the six games we tested, only two were able to make use of the extra cache on the Phenom II X2 550. And in these 2 games, the difference was more at a CPU limited resolution i.e. 1280×1024 and it diminished as we moved up to 1920×1200. So if you are gaming at 1920×1200 or higher, I would advise you to save money by going with the Athlon II X2 250 and spending the extra $$ on a better GPU as that will generally net you a better gaming experience.<\/p>\n When we compare both the CPUs in the non-gaming tests, we see similar performance at their maximum overclocks in most of the tests. Phenom II trounces the Athlon II in 7Zip comression, Custom PC Multitasking and LameXP Audio Encoding tests.<\/p>\n While choosing between these CPUs you will have to take into account what is it that you are going to be using it for. If audio encoding and file compression is your main motive, then you will benefit from Phenom II, otherwise Athlon II would be fine.<\/p>\n Stay tuned for the next part in this series as I benchmark with a Phenom II X3 720 CPU and see any increase in performance it may offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
Overclocking<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\nExplanation of the tests<\/h1>\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nTest Results<\/h1>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nCall of Juarez<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nCall of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nGRID<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nStreet Fighter IV<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nS.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nTeam Fortress 2<\/h1>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\nPower Consumption & Undervolting<\/h1>\n
<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h1>\n