In 2009, AMD's mid-range processor solutions segment was represented by 4-core chips, which included AMD Phenom II X4 925. Despite the fact that this chip is already more than 7 years old, it can handle almost any existing chip even now challenge. It is the technical specifications and its other important features that will be further considered.
Niche solutions and its capabilities
The niche of the most productive solutions in 2009 was occupied by AMD's quad-core central processing units of the Phenom II series. Only they belonged to the models "945" and "955". Their technical specifications were almost identical to the Phenom II 925. The only difference was in the clock frequency. The flagships it was equal to 3.2 GHz, and the "925" - 2.8 GHz. But for Phenom II 925, the Athlon II line of products immediately started, which were devoid of level 3 cache memory and, as a result, were significantly inferior in performance to any Fen line-up chip. So it turns out that Phenom II 925 in performance was between mid-range and premium solutions. On the other hand, its excellent overclocking potential made it possible to conquer the frequency value of 3.4-3.5 GHz even on a boxed cooler, and due to this it could be turned into the very same “Phenom II 955”. Now this chip refers to budget-level solutions. This is not surprising: its frequencies are very modest by today's standards, and even more advanced solutions can be easily found in terms of performance.
Contents of delivery
AMD Phenom II X4 925 was delivered in two possible configurations. One of them was called "Treil." It included the chip itself, a warranty card, a proprietary sticker for this line of processors for the front panel of the PC case, and a user manual. There was also a second configuration option called the Box. In addition to all the previously listed components, it also included a cooler and thermal grease. For ordinary users and novice computer enthusiasts, the second, more expensive, configuration option in this case was quite enough to build a PC and minimize CPU overclocking. A relatively small overclocking of the processor in this case could be done. Well, the second option is more preferable for computer experts with experience. In this case, you can additionally buy an improved CPU cooling system and thereby further increase the performance of this computer solution.
Socket for this silicon product
AMD Phenom II X4 925 was tied to motherboards based on the AM3 socket. The characteristics of the most recent products from this manufacturer indicate that this chip can also be installed in motherboards based on the AM3 + platform. Both of these platforms are compatible with each other. Only in the second case, it is preferable to use more productive solutions based on processors of the "FX" family.
Production technology
In 2009, advanced silicon crystal manufacturing technology was based on the 45 nm process. It was in accordance with this manufacturing process that this CPU was manufactured. Due to this nuance, the crystal area was minimized, the heat packet decreased, and the final performance of the computer system as a whole increased. Now, the most advanced solutions are already based on a manufacturing process with 14 nm tolerance standards. As a result, the difference even with the latest generation of entry-level chips will be very significant.
Cache
High level of performance in 2009 AMD Phenom II X4 925 was provided by a system of fast volatile memory of 3 levels. Its first level was divided into 4 parts of 128 Kb. That is, its total size was 512 Kb. It should also be noted that 128 Kb, in turn, were divided into 2 equal parts of 64 Kb. One of them contained CPU instructions, and the second contained software data. The total size of the cache of the 2nd level was 2Mb. It is identically divided into 4 parts of 512 KB, which were also assigned to a specific computing resource. Well, the last, 3rd in a row, cache level was common for all CPU cores. Its size was already 6 MB.
RAM
This chip is oriented to work in combination with only one possible type of random access memory - it is "DDR3". Moreover, if the computer system is based on the AM3 + based computer system, then any type of memory can be installed. But in the case of "AM3" maximum, you can use the modules "DDR3-1333". If you install faster RAM strips in such a system board, then various problem situations can arise during operation.
Thermal features of the processor solution
95 W - this is exactly the kind of thermal package that the AMD Phenom II X4 925 actually has. The operating temperature in combination with a complete cooling system and in the absence of acceleration is in the range from 30 to 50 degrees, depending on the load. If you overclock it to 3.2 GHz in this configuration, then the range will shift and will be in the range from 40 to 60 degrees. A further increase in performance will require the replacement of a cooling system with a more advanced one. The maximum permissible operating temperature of this CPU is 74 degrees.
Frequency
The nominal clock frequency in AMD Phenom II X4 925 is 2800 MHz. Moreover, the multiplier for this CPU is blocked (in its name there is no “Black Edison” prefix) and it is impossible to overclock it with a simple increase in the last parameter. Also, there is no support for various technologies that change the frequency of the chip, depending on the degree of complexity of the task.
Architecture
The AMD Phenom II X4 925 processor is based on the architecture code-named Deneb. It includes four independent physical cores. He has no support for the current more advanced technologies, and at the logical level he still has 4 threads. But this is quite enough to run any existing software at the moment.
Overclocking
As noted earlier, the CPU frequency multiplier is locked in the AMD Phenom II X4 925. In this case, overclocking can only be done by the frequency of the system bus. And this is quite enough to achieve a 30-35 percent increase in performance. But for this, the PC must be equipped with an advanced cooling system, an improved modification of the system board and a powerful power supply.
The opinion of the owners of the chip. Its cost
In 2009, Phenom II 925 became the undoubted hit of sales from AMD. It made it possible to get a very, very productive and functional computer system for relatively little money. Separately, it is necessary to note the overclocking potential of this solution. Under certain conditions, it was possible to increase its productivity level by 30–35 percent. But in this case, the requirements for such a system unit increased significantly.
Summary
Many PC owners based on AMD Phenom II X4 925 continue to actively exploit such computing systems. At the same time, their productivity even now is quite enough. The rest is a great solution that will serve its owner for more than one year.