When you see a review that has the Phenom do poorly in Winrar, it's because they've enabled the BIOS "fix" for the L3 cache race condition errata. However now that the B3 step is out (9x50 models) the paranoid no longer need to have this enabled and the Winrar benchmark is much, much better.

Linux has an in-kernel fix and doesn't need the BIOS fix that kills performance.

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According to the reviewer the BIOS fix was disabled for all the tests, due to it not being necessary in a desktop environment, if you are not running any kind of virtualisation programs.

But he could have made a mistake or forgotten to disable it for the specific test.

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... But he could have made a mistake or forgotten to disable it for the specific test.

Or could it be that Winrar has the "Naughty Intel" trick compiled in to (unfairly) cripple the AMD results?...


(Note also that benchmarks are only good for whatever it is that is directly being benchmarked.)

Happy crunchin',
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Sounds like it can't get rid of the initial spike in heat on startup quick enough. I had a similar experience with my QuadFX until I added some Arctic Silver 5 and more case fans.

Thanks Spear. It's been running 24/7 since I used the Artic, & no problems to date.

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Anybody try the SSE3 KWSN optimized client on the Phenom????

And is it better then the SSE2????

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I finally got my Phenom up and running!!! I haven't added the optimized app yet but I need something to do tomorrow... I am just ecstatic that I got the machine working. I was worried early on when I went to turn it on and no video at all... Of course this was due to installer error. Some dummy (me) forgot to move a jumper on the HD and had it set as slave. Still having a few issues with RAM as well but it is working. Core temp in a hot room all four cores crunching away 42C this is with a Thermaltake CL-P0075 heatsink using its stock pad. This was the only heatsink on AMD's approved list that I was able to locate for sale. Even though I bought some Artic Silver 5, I was a little nervous about voiding the warranty on my chip before even turning it on...

The current KWSN SSE3 client won't run on AMD machines, because the Intel compiler won't let it (unless you patch the aplication). And even a patched version is not faster than the SSE2 client. They are about equal, the SSE2 being a litle bit faster at 90% of the WU's.

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Does this mean that I cannot use a Phenom 9850 in my HP a6430f, stock with a Phenom-8400 Toliman 2.1 GHz Triple-core on an ASUS M2N68-LA AM2+ Motherboard, or with my HP a6313w stock with an Athlon 64 X2 (B) 5000+ 2.6 GHz on an ASUS M2N68-LA motherboard? I guess I need to do some checking before I buy a 9850.

Just another thing I read recently ASUS doesn't have a board capable of supporting the newest 9850 or any 125 chipset and have not realesed any info on when an updated Bios will be available to allow these chips to work in ANY of their motherboards. Some of their competitors have some under $100 that will run these same chips...Just some info to think about before anyone decides to UPGRADE to the newest Phenoms with an ASUS motherboard

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Does this mean that I cannot use a Phenom 9850 in my HP a6430f, stock with a Phenom-8400 Toliman 2.1 GHz Triple-core on an ASUS M2N68-LA AM2+ Motherboard, or with my HP a6313w stock with an Athlon 64 X2 (B) 5000+ 2.6 GHz on an ASUS M2N68-LA motherboard? I guess I need to do some checking before I buy a 9850.

It is my understanding that ASUS has very recently released at least one board that is capable of the 125W Phenom 9850, I do not remember exactly which board it was but will try to look it up later. Again as far as I know if it can run an X2 6000+ and is rated for a Phenom it should in theory work. AMD's site claims the ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe(AM2+) revision 1.02G ATX board and the ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe(AM2) version 1.01G ATX will both run it the only other board they have listed is the MSI K9A2 Platinum (MS-7376)(AM2+) revision 1 ATX mobo.

As a personal choice, I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the Platinum and have seriously contemplated splurging on it. I also have a friend that used to work @ ASUS and he has the M2N-SLI Deluxe which was built for overclocking. The only problem I can see with it is I am certain you would have to do a bios upgrade on it, possibly even before inserting the Phenom chip. Now both the Platinum and the M3A32 board have the 790FX chipset if you were planning on gaming you could utilize the Spider platform or even the AMD overclock utility which I am pretty sure needs a 7 series chip to even use.

I am sorry for the long post but wanted to share info with you. I hope that it was informative.

I haven't been able to find much documentation about the ASUS M2N68-LA motherboard. What I understand however, is that any of the x4 processors should be able to be used, even on the AM2 slots, just that they will run at a lower FSB speed on the AM2 slots vs the AM2+ slots. AMD, HP, and ASUS don't say much at all about the M2N68-LA MoBo. Maybe the M2N in the nomenclature is all I need to look for? If it comes down to changing out MoBo + CPU, instead of just the CPU, I will probably have to wait.[/quote]


It is my understanding that ASUS has very recently released at least one board that is capable of the 125W Phenom 9850, I do not remember exactly which board it was but will try to look it up later. Again as far as I know if it can run an X2 6000+ and is rated for a Phenom it should in theory work. AMD's site claims the ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe(AM2+) revision 1.02G ATX board and the ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe(AM2) version 1.01G ATX will both run it the only other board they have listed is the MSI K9A2 Platinum (MS-7376)(AM2+) revision 1 ATX mobo.

As a personal choice, I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the Platinum and have seriously contemplated splurging on it. I also have a friend that used to work @ ASUS and he has the M2N-SLI Deluxe which was built for overclocking. The only problem I can see with it is I am certain you would have to do a bios upgrade on it, possibly even before inserting the Phenom chip. Now both the Platinum and the M3A32 board have the 790FX chipset if you were planning on gaming you could utilize the Spider platform or even the AMD overclock utility which I am pretty sure needs a 7 series chip to even use.

I am sorry for the long post but wanted to share info with you. I hope that it was informative.
[/quote]

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I contacted HP, and they say that the Phenom 9850 is supported by my MoBo's, even though both motherboards have the same nomenclature N2M68-LA, HP says one is AM2 and the other AM2+, strange.

I also contacted AMD - they passed the buck, and told me to contact ASUS.

ASUS seems to be a little difficult to contact directly, as they want a whole bunch of info about your system before you can even email them.

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I contacted HP, and they say that the Phenom 9850 is supported by my MoBo's, even though both motherboards have the same nomenclature N2M68-LA, HP says one is AM2 and the other AM2+, strange.

I also contacted AMD - they passed the buck, and told me to contact ASUS.

ASUS seems to be a little difficult to contact directly, as they want a whole bunch of info about your system before you can even email them.

You do need to be careful though before assuming it will work, if you use a 9850 on a board that it will not work on IT WILL FRY the MOBO. Something about counting the mosfets around the socket it needs I believe 6 to run it. I will try and locate the info and post a link for you unless someone else here knows.

If you have a HD audio card if you are going to use XP SP3 it is much easier to install the audio BEFORE SP3. There is a workaround without having to unisntall and reinstall the service pack but a pain to find the right info. Find or download KB888111, extract it to its own folder using any decompression tool. Go to device manager, unknown PCI, update driver, point to C:\\KB888111xpsp2\\commonfiles or whatever folder you called it, then install device program. This has kept me busy trying to figure out for a couple of days now, so I though I'd try to help anyone with the same issue here.

You dont "absolutely" need the 6 phase power, the DFI790FX-M2RS I do believe has 3 phase power. But it wont be as clockable, and if the parts on the mobo arent quality parts it will kill it.


I was lucky and got a DFI790FX-M2R witht he 7 phase power.




Heres a thread, it's about the 790FX-M2R and the 9850 phenom, but it talks about power consumption and what the CPU needs.....

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=185498

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Is it possible for two motherboards with the same model name (M2N68-LA), to have different sockets? HP seems to think so.... I would hate to have my own little computer shop, and order a dozen motherboards, all the same, only to find out when they got here, that half of them dont have the same socket.... Thats messed up. But according to what HP is telling me, that is the way it is. (Why am I having a hard time believing this?)

Here is a quote from the email, my correspondence with HP.

Me: "I see that both motherboards are ASUS M2N68-LA. Are they not the same motherboard? Why does HP call one AM2 and the other AM2+ ? Narra2/Narra3 ? "
HP: "In reviewing your message, I understand that you are looking for information on what is difference between AM2 and AM2+ and why does we call the respective motherboards like Narra2/Narra3. I would like to inform you that AM2 socket type motherboards will support Dual Core processors only, whereas AM2+ will support Quad Core processors along with Dual Core processors. Regarding the motherboards name are concerned, it is a naming convention used by HP in order to verify the difference between this motherboards. Narra2 supports AM2 whereas Narra3 supports AM2+ based socket motherboards.

Me:"If both motherboards are ASUS M2N68-LA, how can one be AM2 and the other be AM2+ ? "
HP:"I would like to inform you that AM2 and AM2+ is socket type in the motherboard. The name of the motherboard is coverted to the Nerra2/Narra3 by the HP depending upon the specifications of the motherboard. AM2+ is the advanced technology of the AM2."

Are they missing a few screws? I thought that a specific motherboard had a specific socket, is this not so? I know I am up in the night, every night, BUT, did they miss my point completely?

ASUS has not responded yet.

Sorry for the long post...

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Is it possible for two motherboards with the same model name (M2N68-LA), to have different sockets? HP seems to think so.... I would hate to have my own little computer shop, and order a dozen motherboards, all the same, only to find out when they got here, that half of them dont have the same socket.... Thats messed up. But according to what HP is telling me, that is the way it is. (Why am I having a hard time believing this?)

Here is a quote from the email, my correspondence with HP.

Me: "I see that both motherboards are ASUS M2N68-LA. Are they not the same motherboard? Why does HP call one AM2 and the other AM2+ ? Narra2/Narra3 ? "
HP: "In reviewing your message, I understand that you are looking for information on what is difference between AM2 and AM2+ and why does we call the respective motherboards like Narra2/Narra3. I would like to inform you that AM2 socket type motherboards will support Dual Core processors only, whereas AM2+ will support Quad Core processors along with Dual Core processors. Regarding the motherboards name are concerned, it is a naming convention used by HP in order to verify the difference between this motherboards. Narra2 supports AM2 whereas Narra3 supports AM2+ based socket motherboards.

Me:"If both motherboards are ASUS M2N68-LA, how can one be AM2 and the other be AM2+ ? "
HP:"I would like to inform you that AM2 and AM2+ is socket type in the motherboard. The name of the motherboard is coverted to the Nerra2/Narra3 by the HP depending upon the specifications of the motherboard. AM2+ is the advanced technology of the AM2."

Are they missing a few screws? I thought that a specific motherboard had a specific socket, is this not so? I know I am up in the night, every night, BUT, did they miss my point completely?

ASUS has not responded yet.

Sorry for the long post...

It might be that there is a BIOS update required to recognize more than 2 cores. In that case their response would make some sense, although telling you to download a new BOIS would make more sense than just telling you it would not work.

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BOINC WIKI

BOINCing since 2002/12/8

Quite true. I just sent them another email, to try to get some clarification. The people responding at HP have obviously not been getting my point. A six-pack of Pepsi, is a six-pack of Pepsi, and an ASUS M2N68-LA should be an ASUS M2N68-LA, whether the motherboard has an AM2 socket or an AM2+ socket, two of them "should" be exactly the same, when they get shipped out from ASUS.

If their next response is still nonsensical, I am going to have to take it to their corporate level.

ASUS does not have this particular motherboard model listed on their website, at all, (that I could find.) It might be something that they only deal directly with HP on.

It might be that there is a BIOS update required to recognize more than 2 cores. In that case their response would make some sense, although telling you to download a new BOIS would make more sense than just telling you it would not work.

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Quite true. I just sent them another email, to try to get some clarification. The people responding at HP have obviously not been getting my point. A six-pack of Pepsi, is a six-pack of Pepsi, and an ASUS M2N68-LA should be an ASUS M2N68-LA, whether the motherboard has an AM2 socket or an AM2+ socket, two of them "should" be exactly the same, when they get shipped out from ASUS.

If their next response is still nonsensical, I am going to have to take it to their corporate level.

ASUS does not have this particular motherboard model listed on their website, at all, (that I could find.) It might be something that they only deal directly with HP on.

It might be that there is a BIOS update required to recognize more than 2 cores. In that case their response would make some sense, although telling you to download a new BOIS would make more sense than just telling you it would not work.

HP, and I imagine most major PC makers, have their boards made by a another company. HP uses ASUS. These boards are made just for them, and can't be purchased, except as a spare part from HP. The BIOS is locked, and can't be overclocked. I ran into the same problems with my HP a350n. It might be able to accept the newer CPU with a BIOS update, as most ASUS boards are able to do this. It might also be the revision of the board that is holding it back.

As far as replacing the CPU in a HP PC, I wouldn't do it. It most certainly would void your warranty, and building your own is much cheaper, and can get you a better PC.

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Clk2HlpSetiCty:::PayIt4ward

I might be better off to drop the upgrade issue with them, as they don't seem to want to cooperate. Building a new pooter isn't going to be too awful much more anyway. And like you say, I will end up with a better one.

HP, and I imagine most major PC makers, have their boards made by a another company. HP uses ASUS. These boards are made just for them, and can't be purchased, except as a spare part from HP. The BIOS is locked, and can't be overclocked. I ran into the same problems with my HP a350n. It might be able to accept the newer CPU with a BIOS update, as most ASUS boards are able to do this. It might also be the revision of the board that is holding it back.

As far as replacing the CPU in a HP PC, I wouldn't do it. It most certainly would void your warranty, and building your own is much cheaper, and can get you a better PC.

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You put a 9850 Phenom in that HP, Check the PSU, make sure it's big enough

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If I can ever get a straight answer from HP, I will definitely check the PSU. I have had plenty of non-answer answers from HP now. I think I will give up on them, for now, before I get too P.O.'d at them. As I stated in previous posts, per HP, both the a6313w and a6430f have an ASUS M2N68-LA MoBo in them, but HP has renamed them Narra2 and Narra3 respectively. They say the Narra2 has an AM2 socket, and the Narra3 has an AM2+ socket. But depending upon which HP rep responds to my emails, I get widely varied answers. Maybe in a few months they will be more knowledgeable about their own products. Geesh!

You put a 9850 Phenom in that HP, Check the PSU, make sure it's big enough

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