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AMD FX-6100 processor review, part 2

AMD FX-6100 processor review, part 2

Overclocking the processor:

Thanks to the new architecture and the new 32nm manufacturing process, the frequency of AMD processors has increased dramatically. But let's not forget that not only the frequency is responsible for the processing power of the processor. It is not that simple. It happens that the architecture contains bottlenecks, and then even an increase in operating frequency does not lead to a significant increase in efficiency. Thus, the manufacturer has to think through absolutely all the nuances when creating new processors.

Overclocking all FX series processors is very easy as they all have an unlocked multiplier. During all tests, the NTT frequency was at 200 megahertz, in turn, the RAM and third-level cache controller worked at a frequency of 2400 megahertz. Under these conditions, the stability of the processor was unrivaled. Even when running the LinX stress test, the processor showed no signs of malfunctioning. The temperature did not exceed 60 degrees Celsius. By the way, the temperature sensors in the processor show a dubiously low temperature, so you should be guided by the readings of the motherboard.

With high-quality air cooling, 99% of the FX series processors conquer the frequency of 4500 megahertz, but this requires raising the voltage above 1.4 volts and turning off all energy-saving technologies. TurboCore 2.0 also needs to be disabled. Do not forget that further increasing the frequency and voltage increases the power consumption of the processor and, accordingly, there is a risk of damage due to degradation of the semiconductor crystal. The frequency is 4500 megahertz, the voltage is 1.4 volts - these are the limits under which the processor will work properly without any consequences.

With a higher value of the processor frequency, and, accordingly, the voltage, you will have to "shaman" with the motherboard. Since not everyone will be able to withstand such a load on an ongoing basis. Most likely, for these purposes, you will have to buy a top-end model, and this is the lot of overclockers, not ordinary users.

Thus, the FX series has much higher overclocking potential than the previous generation processors. I was easily able to raise the processor frequency to 4853.8 megahertz. By the way, to achieve this result, I used a combined overclocking method (increased both the multiplier and the system bus frequency).

* (screenshot of CPU-Z program) *

To make it easier for users to visually control the new processors in real time and to simplify the overclocking procedure, AMD has developed a new software called OverDrive.

OverDrive software allows you to:

1. get basic / detailed information about the system during overclocking and normal operation;

2. monitor the status of the GPU and motherboard;

3. to monitor the activity of the RAM, fans, clock frequency and voltage of the processor;

4. test hardware components;

5. check the system for stability and so on.

** Conclusion: ** AMD processors have come out ahead. Only in the AIDA 64 test does Intel have an advantage.

Bulldozer is a new and very promising architecture. The only problem is poorly optimized software (AMD Phenom II with a frequency of 4100 megahertz in some tests bypasses the new product with a frequency of 4500 megahertz), but this will be fixed over time.

Intel Core i3-2100 clearly wins in energy efficiency, but AMD FX-6100, in turn, provides overclocking and excellent frequency potential. Also on the side of AMD FX-6100 is support for a number of additional instructions. I think the TrueCrypt test showed what the new architecture is capable of, of course, if it is supported by the software on the other hand.By the way, it is not high time to put the “old man” AMD Phenom II X4 970 BE for scrap. He also showed a very good result, despite the architecture of 2007.

If AMD continues to develop further, we will soon have a microarchitecture that will become a very strong competitor to Sandy Bridge. And I'm sure it will. The development of the Piledriver microarchitecture is almost complete. And it is planned not only to increase the operating clock frequencies, but also to optimize the architecture. AMD promises a performance increase of 40-50% over Bulldozer. It is already known that Piledriver received support for the new FMA3 and Converged BMI instruction set, as well as the new IOMMU v2. Turbo Core technology has been updated to third generation.

The AMD FX-6100 is a great choice, it's a versatile processor and has great performance for its price. If you are faced with a choice of AMD or Intel, and a computer has been bought for more than one year, and you just do not know what to do, my advice to you: spending money on AMD - you will never regret it.

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