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Written by Fedja Drndarski
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Monday, 16 March 2009 |
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Page 1 of 7  Whenever is new generation of CPUs presented, either by Intel or by AMD, besides high-end models always are presented models for users that don’t demand top-performance levels. There are various ways to “slow down” existing high-end core. One of those is “partial amputation” of L2 or L3 cache memory, or “total amputation” of one or more cores. In most cases faulty segments of CPU are disabled although in some cases this isn’t the case. Sometimes manufacturer disables perfectly operational segments of CPU so demands for such CPUs can be met. This means that even if you bought triple-core CPU, it doesn’t imply that you got 75% of fully functional quad-core. Same goes for L3 cache.
Initially Deneb core was designed and manufactured with 6MB of L3 cache of which AMD can disable 2048KB (2MB) and offer CPUs with less L3 cache and different naming convention. CPUs with less L3 cache are marked with an 8 as first digit. So 810 is actually 910 that operates at same 2.6GHz but 810 model has “only” 4MB of shared L3 cache and 2MB of L2 cache per core while 910 model has 6MB of L3 cache memory. Another difference between 810 and 910 model is that 810 model has support for both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. AMD also announced 915, 925 and 945 models that will support AM3 socket, triple-core 710 model at 2.6GHz and 720 model at 2.8GHz but also Phenom II X4 805 at 2.5GHz with 4MB L3 cache memory.
Phenom II 810 is with its 4MB of L3 cache better than old Agena core and very close to Deneb core when it comes to performance levels. In most cases 4MB vs 6MB of L3 cache doesn’t make much of a difference, except in some games. Games based on Crytek engine have for 20% better performances on core with 6MB L3 cache core than on old Agena core but only 7% compared to new core with 4MB L3 cache in low resolutions. In most gaming benchmarks Phenom II 810 is faster than old Phenom 9950 Black Edition in average for 8%. In video compression differences are in range from 4% to 9%, in data compression around 4% and in rendering between 1% and 2%. Differences are not that big but with overclock are getting even bigger.
Phenom II X4 810 is based on 45nm manufacturing process and Deneb core . Main advantages of these CPUs are bigger overclock margin and of course lower power consumption. Model 810 is declared at only 95W TDP with its 2.6GHz which is respectable results compared to specification of similar CPUs based on old Agena core.
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