Clever Geek Handbook

AMD Phenom II X4 920: specs, review, and reviews

The processor solution with a high level of performance and affordable price is the AMD Phenom II X4 920. Although this chip was released in March 2009, even now the hardware characteristics of its semiconductor chip still allow you to run any software. Moreover, even the most demanding software on this basis will function without any problems. The only limitation is that in some cases you will have to abandon the maximum possible settings.

What computer systems is this chip aimed at?

The AMD Phenom II X4 920 processor is aimed at implementing high-performance personal computers. AMD chips at the time of the start of this product were distributed as follows:

  • Sempron is an entry-level CPU. These solutions included only 1 or 2 computing units, had lower clock frequencies and reduced clock speeds. As a result, such chips were perfect for creating office workstations or budget entry-level home computers.
  • Athlon II series chips could boast higher levels of performance and speed. They included 2, 3, or even 4 software code processing modules. They also increased the nominal clock frequency and had a larger cache volume, which consisted of 2 levels.
  • The highest level of speed and performance was provided by the Phenom series chips, to which this solution belonged. The key difference that ensured their superiority in real applications was the cache memory, which consisted of 3 levels. Also, the frequency in this case increased significantly.

Possible delivery options

In two types of configuration, you could find AMD Phenom II X4 920. The name of this chip did not have the Black Edition prefix and its multiplier was blocked. Therefore, the best option for its delivery is BOX, which consists of the following components and accessories:

  • Processor device.
  • Protective transparent box for safe transportation of the CPU.
  • Sticker logo with the name of the processor family.
  • Certificate of full compliance of this device with various standards and directives.
  • An improved cooler with special copper tubes for heat dissipation.
  • Paper-based quick start guide.
  • Thermal grease.
  • Warranty card.

This delivery option is sufficient to start using this processor solution for its intended purpose. There was also a second supply option for this chip - this is TRAIL. From it, the manufacturer excluded the branded cooler and thermal grease. In this delivery, this chip was of most interest to computer enthusiasts and large companies - assemblers of stationary system units.

CPU socket. Chipsets

The main processor socket for installing the AMD Phenom II X4 920 is AM2 +. But also such processor solutions can quite successfully function in AM3 and even AM3 + sockets . All of these processor sockets are compatible with each other. But the most optimal in conjunction with this processor device is to use motherboards based on AM2 +. This chip can work in chipsets of 7XX, 8XX and even 9XX series. All of these kits are developed by AMD.

Architectural features of the processor solution. Frequency

The code name for the microprocessor architecture of the AMD Phenom II X4 series chips is Deneb. 920 and 940 are the first processors of this family. All of them included 4 computing cores of x86-64 architecture. That is, they could work both in 32-bit computing mode and in 64-bit mode. The multiplier of this decision is locked at 14x. The nominal clock frequency of each core is 2.8 GHz. The system bus operated at a frequency of 1800 MHz.

Thermal pack. Temperature conditions

A thermal package for AMD Phenom II X4 920 is installed by the manufacturer at 125 W. The characteristics of the processor indicate that it was manufactured using 45 nm technology, and the silicon crystal area was 243 mm 2 . The CPU supply voltage could be in the range from 0.875 V to 1.5 V. The maximum temperature, after exceeding which the semiconductor substrate of the CPU could break, was 62 0 . In the nominal mode, its temperature was in the range from 50 to 55 0 C. After acceleration this value in some modes can reach 60 0 . To increase the computer's safety margin in this mode, it is necessary to install improved modifications of cooling systems.

Cache

One of the key features that provided high-performance computer systems based on AMD Phenom II X4 920 was the organization of cache memory. As in any other modern processor, it consisted of 3 levels. The total amount of the first level of fast memory was 512 Kb. In turn, these 512 KB were divided into 4 parts of 128 KB, which were assigned to a specific computing unit. Subsequently, these 128 Kb were divided into 2 more parts of 64 Kb. One of these parts was intended for data storage, and the second - for program code instructions. At the second level, the total cache size was 2 MB, which were divided into 4 parts of 512 KB. As in the previous case, each such memory segment was assigned to a specific core. The total capacity of the third level was equal to 6 MB, and it was common to all the computing elements of the semiconductor crystal of this processor solution. The main purpose of the cache is to reduce the exchange of data and instructions with random access memory due to the fact that the most popular information is inside the chip. Moreover, this fast memory operates at higher frequencies and due to this has a higher speed.

RAM specifications

The main type of DDR2 random access memory for AMD Phenom II X4 920. Characteristics indicated that the RAM controller of this chip could address no more than 16 GB. The motherboards were equipped with 4 memory slots. Therefore, in such a slot it was possible to set the bar to 4 GB. The frequencies of the memory chips should be 400, 533, 667, 800 and even 1066 MHz. Again, the RAM controller was part of the north chipset bridge. Therefore, in practice, such a chip could also work in conjunction with DDR3 modules. Only in this case, a special increase in the speed of functioning of a personal computer did not work for the reason that their frequency dropped to the maximum possible 1066 MHz and these bars worked essentially in DDR2 mode.

CPU overclocking

AMD Phenom II X4 920 boasts a phenomenal increase in performance due to its clock speed. Overclocking it achieved a performance increase of about 30 percent. As noted earlier, the nominal clock frequency of this chip is 2.8 GHz, and the system bus operates at real 200 MHz or effective 1400 MHz. The voltage on the CPU is 0.875 V. After overclocking, the chip frequency can reach 3.7 GHz. In this case, the voltage on the semiconductor chip can reach 1.5 V. The bus operates at 265 MHz or 1855 MHz. For overclocking, such a computer system must be equipped as follows:

  • An advanced model of the motherboard with improved organization of the power subsystem.
  • Power supply with a solid margin of power. The minimum value in this case should be equal to 750 watts.
  • Memory modules must have a margin of frequency.
  • In such a system unit, a heat sink system should be well organized. Moreover, both on the chip itself and inside the system unit.

The algorithm for increasing productivity in this case is as follows:

  • The frequencies of all elements of the PC are reduced.
  • The voltage on the processor rises step by step.
  • When the maximum frequency is reached, it is already necessary to increase the voltage and frequency at the same time.
  • When reaching 1.5 V or the stability limit of the system, the maximum acceleration is obtained.
  • It is also additionally necessary to check the computer after that using special software.

Synthetic tests

The chip in question belongs to 4 core solutions, that is, in its name you can find the word Quadcore. The AMD Phenom II X4 920 shows impressive results in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. The opponents of this chip are Phenom X4 9950, Core 2Quad Q9300 and i3-2100. In the PC Mark05 test, the power in points is distributed as follows:

  1. i3-2100 - 9394.
  2. II X4 920 - 8474.
  3. Q9300-8014.
  4. X4 9950 - 7662.

The arrangement of processors in the CrystalMark test version 0.5 is slightly changed:

  1. i3-2100 - 48876.
  2. Q9300 - 45156.
  3. II X4 920 - 44536.
  4. X4 9950 - 41056.

In synthetic tests, this chip can compete almost equally with the second generation of Core processors. If the difference appears somewhere, then it is not so significant. A more significant argument in this case is that even the most recent chips of the FX series showed identical results.

Toys Results

More interesting test results are obtained in games. The list of compared CPU chips is identical to that given earlier. The image quality in all cases is maximum, and its resolution is 1280 x 1024. It should also be noted that the computer system is equipped with 2 GB of DDR2 RAM, a 650 W power supply and a GeForce 9800 GTS graphics accelerator with 1 GB of GDDR3 revision video buffer. In Tom Clancy's HAWX, the fps results are as follows:

  1. II X4 920 - 125 fps.
  2. X4 9950 - 115 fps.
  3. Q9300 - 106 fps.
  4. i3-2100 - 98 fps.

All processors have a comfortable level of gameplay. But AMD chips show that in this case, the presence of more computing resources allows you to increase performance. The test in Far Cry version 2 dramatically changes the balance of power. This results in the following:

  1. i3-2100 - 101 fps.
  2. II X4 920 - 82 fps.
  3. Q9300 - 74 fps.
  4. X4 9950 - 73 fps.

The most recent Intel solution comes first, but the hero of this article is not so far behind him and provides a completely comfortable level of play. A similar situation is obtained in the Race Driver:

  1. i3-2100 - 110 fps.
  2. II X4 920 - 92 fps.
  3. Q9300 - 80 fps.
  4. X4 9950 - 79 fps.

The advanced architecture of the Intel company makes itself felt, but the growth in relation to the AMD chip is not so big - only 18 frames. But at the same time, the difference in cost between the CPU is more significant. The other two processors X4 9950 from AMD and Q9300 from Intel show comparable results and significantly lag behind the more advanced CPUs in terms of performance.

CPU price

AMD Phenom TM II X4 920 was priced at $ 192. A processor with such parameters really cost so much in 2009. In addition, it was a flagship solution that had a phenomenal level in terms of both performance and speed. Now it is impossible to buy such a CPU completely in a new state for the reason that the stocks of all components within the framework of AM2 + and AM3 are sold out. In second-hand condition, such a chip can be bought at a price of 30-40 dollars. Today it only makes sense to purchase it in the case when it is necessary to repair a broken system unit based on this platform. In all other cases, it is better to look towards newer computer solutions.

Owners opinion

AMD Phenom TM II X4 920 became a really excellent chip for the AM2 + and AM3 platforms. At the time of its release, it could compete with similar Intel solutions. In addition, it can be noted that even now such a chip allows you to play any toys and run any of the most demanding software. The only minus is energy efficiency. But the CPU, manufactured by such a technological process, could not have been otherwise. This is exactly what user reviews indicate.

Summary

Although it was released a long time ago by the standards of the computer industry AMD Phenom II X4 920, even now the presence of such a processor device still allows you to solve any problems. This list includes the most demanding toys, and graphic editors, and other resource-intensive software. Of course, in some cases it will be necessary to set the settings to not the maximum values, but it is necessary to consider when this chip was released.

More articles:


All Articles