AMD Phenom 9900 Processor Review – Spider Platform

AMD Finally Has Phenom Ready To Sell

AMD has finally released their first quad-core desktop processor! It is part of AMD’s new performance desktop platform that has become to be known as Spider. The AMD Spider platform consists of the AMD Phenom processor, an ATI Radeon HD 3800 series graphics card and an AMD 7-Series chipset. Since Legit Reviews has already written a review on the new ATI Radeon HD 3850 graphics card, we will today be looking at the Phenom processor on an AMD 790FX motherboard.

The AMD Spider platform combines the introduction of AMD Phenom true quad-core processors, ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series graphics with Microsoft DirectX 10.1 support, and AMD 7-Series chipsets with CrossFireX and AMD OverDrive technology. AMD believes that the Spider platform is a major milestone on the path to Accelerated Computing, AMDs vision for platform-level acceleration through co-processing. The focus of this article is the Phenom Processor series, so let’s take a closer look at what was released today.

With today’s launch comes two new AMD Phenom processors. The AMD Phenom processor 9600 (2.3GHz) and 9500 (2.2GHz) are now available for $283 and $251 respectively in 1,000-unit pricing. AMD was originally going to launch the AMD Phenom 9700 (2.4GHz) and AMD Phenom 9900 (2.6 GHz) quad core processors today, but they have been held off till Q1 2008. The launch of these two higher performance processors models will now coincide with the introduction of CrossFireX. Higher performance AMD Phenom processors will follow the introduction of the AMD Phenom 9700 and 9900 models, with a 3.0 GHz model in Q2 2008. Since the 2.4GHz and 2.6GHz versions have been delayed a bit AMD will offer an unlocked (Black Edition) 2.3GHz Phenom later this quarter (Q4/2007) at the same price as a locked version. So, if you are an enthusiast looking for overclocking performance AMD has a treat for you with the Black Edition.

AMD PHENOM PROCESSOR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Model / Processor Frequency: AMD Phenom Processor Model 9600 / 2.3GHz
• Model / Processor Frequency: AMD Phenom Processor Model 9500 / 2.2GHz
• L1 Cache Sizes: 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (512KB total L1 per processor)
• L2 Cache Sizes: 512KB of L2 data cache per core (2MB total L2 per processor)
• L3 Cache Size: 2MB
• Memory Controller Type: Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller, capable of being configured for dual 64-bit channels for simultaneous read/writes
• Memory Controller Frequency: Up to 1.8GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management
• Types of Memory: Support for unregistered DIMMs up to PC2 8500 (DDR2-1066MHz)
• HyperTransport 3.0: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 3600MHz full duplex
• Total Processor Bandwidth: Up to 31.5 GB/s bandwidth
• Packaging: Socket AM2+ 940-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA) (backward compatible with Socket AM2)
• Fab location: AMD’s Fab 36 wafer fabrication facilities in Dresden, Germany
• Process Technology: 65nm (.065-micron) Silicon on Insulator (SOI)
• Approximate Transistor count: approx. 450 million (65nm)
• Approximate Die Size: 285 mm2 (65nm)
• Nominal Voltage: 1.1-1.25 Volts
• Max Ambient Case Temp: 70 degrees Celsius
• Max TDP: 95 Watts
• Future Memory Controller Note: Future 45nm processors versions are planned to include support for DDR3 memory

Legit Reviews recently got a chance to benchmark the upcoming AMD Phenom 9900 processor, so today we bring you a performance analysis of the 2.6GHz Phenom 9900!