Lots of questions about DDR3 Phenom 920

eiamhere69 · 12 May 2009 at 18:11

I'd like to start by apologising for asking questions in my first post. I'ts been a little while since I messed about with components, and so am unsure about a lot of the new tech.

I understand games don't require much processor power as apposed to GPU, but I do a little video converting/processing every other day.

I am close to purchasing a Phenom 920 and will clock a little, but only on air. I am wondering which ram would be best. I have read many comparisons, but mainly before this processors release. Mainly I am unsure whether:

(all questions are in relation to the above processor)

There is a noticeable difference in performance between DDR3 and DDR2, due to DDR3 latency, but increased bandwidth.

4GB, 6gb or 8GB noticeable gains.

I would be buying this processor as part of a package, therefore the motherboard I will be getting would be a Foxconn A7DA-S. Not the best but like I say it's a offer I like. This motherboard as Xfire support, but only at 8x bus speed.

If I ran to 4770' would this be a bottle-neck? (would the Phenom?)
I thought that PCI Express at 8x would equate to PCI Express 1.0 at x16 bandwith speed.

Sorry again for such a long first post.

Art · 12 May 2009 at 18:43

eiamhere69 said:
There is a noticeable difference in performance between DDR3 and DDR2, due to DDR3 latency, but increased bandwidth.

4GB, 6gb or 8GB noticeable gains.

Did you mean to phrase that as a question?

There doesn't seem to be a huge difference between DDR2 and DDR3, but with the new sockets from AMD and Intel DDR3 is more of a compatibility thing now. As for 4/6/8, AMD systems only use dual-channel memory so 6GB isn't a good idea. 8GB might be helpful for your video processing depending on exactly what you're doing, although you'll need to make sure you have a 64bit OS to use it. Regardless, the 920 only supports DDR2 so DDR3 is out of the question if you want to stick with that processor.

If I ran to 4770' would this be a bottle-neck? (would the Phenom?)
I thought that PCI Express at 8x would equate to PCI Express 1.0 at x16 bandwith speed.

The opinion around here seems to be that PCIe x8 wouldn't bottleneck something like a 4770. It might be an issue for top-of-the-range cards, but for a 4770 it should be fine. I'm not sure what would be the bottleneck in your system between the GPU and CPU though.

eiamhere69 · 12 May 2009 at 18:50

Thanks for the reply. Just remembered that AMD boards do double channel not triple, then came back to post, but you've already stated, so probs better of with DDR2.

Do you have any idea which speed would be best would be clocking on air with this - Akasa AK-876 + couple of case fans, so not very high.

markiejt · 13 May 2009 at 15:24

DDR3 is future dude and also am3 you will probably get another upgrade out of

hp7909 · 18 May 2009 at 18:32

The Phenom II X4 920 (& the 940) only has a DDR2 memory controller built in therefore NOT compatible with Socket AM3 (DDR3) mobos

eiamhere69 · 23 May 2009 at 11:02

Thanks. I realised not long after posting, thats why I went quite in here. Been reading up on my board, etc. (think I got confused due to the fact that foxconn are released an updated version of my board with DDR3)

AM2 chips only work with DDR2
AM3 = DDR3 (on a DDR3 board).

Every time I look for info on 920, I usually end up finding only 940 info. Probs because it's better for oc'ing with the unlocked multi.

Thanks for helping me realise my stupidity guys.

hp7909 · 23 May 2009 at 11:47

If you trying to compare the 2, most reviews of the Phenom II's has it included in the bench results, like see here.

Thing is though, unless already purchased, the price difference is about £8 (OcUK) :eek:

Makes sense to go for the higher clocked & multiplier unlocked 940.

eiamhere69 said:
Thanks for helping me realise my stupidity guys.

Lol, we all don't know everything sometimes. Admittedly, I also never figured that the 920/940 did not work in a AM3 mobo until i read the 955 review