AMD Mid-end MB with Phenom II X4 910e OC Review

Since AMD 45nm CPU was more popular in 2009, AMD is more aggressive in CPU, Chipset and VGA products this year.
You can see AMD launched more new product lines to ramp up their market share.

In VGA, ATI has been in market for long time and good market share.
For CPU, it cannot implement 45nm for long time. It caused CPU power consumption, temperature and clock is in bad performance.
These factors make AMD CPU was failed in 2008.
Finally, they only could drop price to maintain the CPU market share.

However, AMD 45nm production technology was more stable in 2009, they started to launch more CPU SKUs.
Phenom II X4/Athlon II product lines are defined by 2~4 CPU cores, L3cache and frequency.
Besides, there is some official way that users have chance to enable extra cores and L3 cache of low end AMD CPU.
It makes AMD X3/X4CPU price be lower. It’s a good news for CPU market.

Previous review, I shared "AMD 3x 785G models Unlock Cores and OC Guide " to show the higher C/P value.
If users can get the capable one, it’s really super value. However, it’s not 100% guaranteed.
As the users who don’t rely on luck, I suggest you can pick AMD Phenom II X4 CPU is better.

AMD launched several CPUs to compete with Intel Core i3/Core i5 recently.
This review is about new Phenom II X4, quad core CPU, structure to assembly a performance and style mid-end AMD PC.

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 910e, power consumption 65W which is lower than the other Phenom II X4 95W.
Core name is Deneb. The voltage range is 0.85-1.25V, clock is 2.60GHz with L2 2MB and L3 6MB
The price is around 169USD. The Taiwan market popular one is 905e so far.


DRAM
I use my most favorite CORSAIR XMS3 DDR3. The clock is 1600 CL8 8-8-24 1.65V.
In USA internet shop, you can see CMX4GX3M2A1600C7, 2GBX2 1600 CL7, price is only 125USD.
CL7 version is more suitable for AMD platform and the price is cheaper.
Due to AMD DDR3 high clock is not so well, I recommend users can just purchase 1333 or 1600.


This review is using ORSAIR DDR3 2GBX3 three-channel version to test 2GBX2.
As budget concerned users, you can choose lower clock or higher CL one.


MB
I use the most popular All in one 785G chipset.
GIGABYTE GA-785GMT-USB3 is with the latest USB3.
The price is around 3100NTD, 97USD.


The pity is 785GMT-USB3 has no SidePort Memory.
If you need better 3D performance, SidePort Memory does help 785G product.


Power Supply
For this AMD platform, all in one MB power consumption is not high.
I pick be quiet! power4 350W. It’s capable to supply this platform.
The price is 1690NTD, around 53USD.


It passed 80Plus certificate. 100% Japanese made solid capacitors and 5 years warranty. The spec is quite good.


Chassis
Normally, I don’t use chassis to write this kind of review. However, my friend’s experience show me that the good chassis is also key factor of building a PC.
This time, I choose Antec Performance One Mini P18, a high end Micro-ATX chassis.
The price dropped to 3900NTD recently, around 122USD. This chassis is also a good option for high end users.
Suddenly the pic turns to outdoor scene. I am not used to it yet, but everything needs the first time.
For 2010 articles, windwithme will show the review in varied way.


The back is 12cm fan, above is 20cm fan and both with rpm control and in 3 steps.
In front is 2x USB 2.0, 1x eSATA and audio output/input.


Although the size is similar with normal ATX Chassis, 43.5 cm(H) x 21.2 cm(W) x 43.6 cm (D).
However the quality and extendibility is very good. 5x 3.5/3x 5.25 and it’s able to install the VGA long cards.


Cooler
Thermaltake contac 29 price is 990NTD, around 31USD.


Three cooper thermal pipes, the trouble is AM3 installation direction is not so good.
If you don’t OC over 3.4GHz, the original cooler is acceptable.


3.5 HDD product is only 2 brands in the market now. User can choose that by the capacity and own favorite.
HDD is not the key concerned part for building new PC.
Also, 785G BIOS OC guide is complete in last review. If you need it, please check it out.

Test Configuration
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 910e
MB: GIGABYTE GA-785GMT-USB3
DRAM: CORSAIR XMS3 TR3X6G1600C8
VGA: ATI Radeon HD 4200
HD: WD 6400AAKS 640GB
POWER: be quiet! power4 350W
Cooler: Thermaltake contac 29
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


AMD exclusive software-OverDrive Utility. You can see all system information.


Diagram shows user configuration.


System Information shows voltage, temperature, fan speed and chipset clock.


Default System Performance
CPU 200.9 X 13 => 2611.6MHz
DDR3 1339.2 CL9 9-9-24 1T
VGA 500MHz

Nuclearus Multi Core => 10989
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 13.40/6431


CrystalMark 2004R3 => 140677


CINEBENCH R10
1 CPU => 3062
x CPU => 11265


CINEBENCH R11.5
OpenGL => 3.51 fps
CPU => 3.13 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 0.79 pts


PCMark Vantage => 5514


DDR3 1339.2 CL9 9-9-24 1T
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 7915 MB/s
EVEREST Memory Read - 12019 MB/s


Due to use Phenom II X4 CPU, the multi-core benchmark is good.
This AMD platform is capable for graphic design, file transformation, multimedia and multi-tasking.

3DMARK2006 => 1687


StreetFighter IV Benchmark
800 X 600 => 24.37FPS


Biohazard5 Benchmark
800 X 600 => 10.4 fps


Call of Juarez
1024 X 768 => Avg 11.5


AMD 785G is almost the best performance IGP chipset in the market.
For mid to high end 3D Game, it’s still far away for smooth running.
But for entry 3D Game or software, 785G is enough.

Power Consumption
Standby - 69W


OCCT Full Speed - 141W
POWER SUPPLY mode，Shader Complexity 8


The whole system power consumption is very good, especially for quad core CPU plus 785G. It is good performance and green.
I hope AMD can launch more low voltage and power CPU.

OC Performance
CPU 300 X 13 => 3900MHz
DDR3 1600 CL8 8-8-20 1T
VGA 770MHz

Nuclearus Multi Core => 17145
Fritz Chess Benchmark => 19.64/9426


CrystalMark 2004R3 => 193687


CINEBENCH R10
1 CPU => 4506
x CPU => 16379


CINEBENCH R11.5
OpenGL => 5.08 fps
CPU => 4.57 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 1.17 pts


PCMark Vantage => 6141


DDR3 1600 CL8 8-8-20 1T
Sandra Memory Bandwidth - 9177 MB/s
EVEREST Memory Read - 13340 MB/s


Pulling CPU clock from 2600MHz to 3900MHZ, you can see CPU performance increases 40~50%.
CPU C2 version in 1.4~1.45V can reach around 3.75GHz. C3 version makes CPU clock be higher.。
AMD C3 version is not popular in the market now. I do hope it can be more and more popular. I think it’s also can enhance their core competition ability.

3DMARK2006 => 2209


StreetFighter IV Benchmark
800 X 600 => 33.55 FPS


Biohazard5 Benchmark
800 X 600 => 14.4 fps


Call of Juarez
1024 X 768 => Avg 21.1


Pulling IGP clock from 500MHz to 770MHz, the 3D performance is even higher.
StreetFighter IV Benchmark almost reaches 30FPS.
Call of Juarez 3D performance is doubled after OC.
As my personal experience, 785G IGP at least can achieve 700~750MHz.

Power Consumption
Standby - 83W


OCCT Full Speed - 226W
POWER SUPPLY mode，Shader Complexity 8


After OC, the standby consumption is similar.
However, it’s 75W difference in full speed.
The main reason is CPU and IGP all OC over 50%. It really increases the power.
Using be quiet! 350W Power Supply is enough. You even can use high end VGA card with this PSU.

Phenom II X4 910e OC to 4GHz is stable. The voltage is 1.504V
Hyper 4 X PI 32M=> 18m 55.588s
CPUMARK 99=> 549


Previous AMD CPU C2 stepping needs 1.52~1.6V to achieve 4GHz.
Also, there are still many C2 cannot reach 4G even with higher voltage.
However, I think AMD still can improve their manufacturing to lower voltage to 1.4~1.45V.


AMD platform is high C/P value in the market and also for budget concerned users.
Also, X2/X3 CPU is cheaper and probably able to enable extra cores and L3 cache to enhance performance. This is another selling point.
X4 product is mid end CPU line. It’s also can be considered by higher budget users.
If it plus 785G products, most MB brands provide fair price products.
For All in one, AMD CPU and MB are the most cost effective one.



This article is focus on AMD mid-end products. The products here are not the cheapest one, but the good quality and performance.
If you have the same demand, you can refer to this review configuration.
If the budget is lower or have favorite brands, you also can pick up your own combination.

AMD CPU performance is still 10-20% behind the competitor. However, their price control policy is quite well.
Most AMD CPU is for entry and mid-end market. It does attract many users who concern about C/P value.
In the future, AMD will launch 890GX. I hope the performance can be even better.
AMD 45nm CPU yield rate can be improved to achieve 4G in lower voltage.
It will help AMD to gain more market share in 2010.

These continuous AMD Athlon II Unlock Core and Phenom II X4 reviews are for AMD fans.

Wish all of you can find your perfect match system this year. :)