AMD Phenom II X4 925: specifications, description and reviews

In 2009, AMD's mid-range processor solutions segment was represented by 4-core chips, including AMD Phenom II X4 925. Despite the fact that this chip is already more than 7 years old, it can even cope with almost any existing Task. It is technical specifications and other important features of it that will be further considered.

The niche of the solution and its possibilities

The niche of the most productive solutions in 2009 was occupied by "AMD" by quad-core central processing units of the Phenom II series. Only they belonged to the models "945" and "955". Technical specifications they were almost identical to Phenom II 925. The difference was only in the clock frequency. At the flagships it was 3.2 GHz, while for the 925 it was 2.8 GHz. But for the Phenom II 925, the products of the Athlon II line were immediately starting, which were deprived of the cache memory of the 3rd level and, as a result, they were significantly inferior in performance to any chip of the "Fenom" line. So it turns out that the Phenom II 925 on performance was between the mid-range and premium-segment solutions. On the other hand, its excellent overclocking potential allowed to conquer the frequency value 3.4-3.5 GHz even on a boxed cooler without special problems, and due to this it could be turned into the same "Phenom II 955". Now this chip belongs to the decisions of the budget level. This is not surprising: his frequencies are modest by today's standards, and even more advanced solutions can easily be found in performance.

Contents of delivery

AMD Phenom II X4 925 was delivered in two possible variants of a complete set. One of them was called "Treil". It included the chip itself, a warranty card, a proprietary label of this line of processors for the front panel of the PC case and a user's manual. There was also a second version of the kit, which was called "Box." In addition to all the previously listed components, it also included a cooler and a thermal paste. For ordinary users and novice computer enthusiasts, the second, more expensive, option bundle in this case was quite enough to build a PC and a minimum overclock CPU. A relatively small overclock of the processor in this case could be implemented. Well, the second option is more preferable for computer specialists with experience. In this case, you can additionally purchase an improved CPU cooling system and thereby further increase the performance of this computer solution.

A socket for this silicon product

AMD Phenom II X4 925 was attached 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 here in the second case it is preferable to use more efficient solutions based on the "FX" family of processors.

Production technology

In 2009, the advanced technology for the production of silicon crystals was based on the 45 nm process. It was in accordance with this technology process that the CPU was manufactured. Due to this nuance the area of the crystal was minimized, the heat packet was reduced and the final productivity of the computer system as a whole was increased. Now the most advanced solutions are already based on the technical process with 14 nm tolerance. As a result, the difference even with the chips of the last generation of the entry level will be very significant.

Cache

High level of performance in 2009 AMD Phenom II X4 925 provided a system of fast energy-dependent memory from 3 levels. The first level of it was divided into 4 parts of 128 KB. That is, its total size was 512 KB. Also it should be noted that 128 KB, in turn, were divided into 2 equal parts of 64 KB. In one of them there were instructions of the CPU, and in the second - the data of the software. The total cache size of the 2nd level was 2Mb. It is identically divided into 4 parts of 512 KB, which were also assigned to a certain computing resource. Well, the last, the 3rd in the account, the level of the cache was common for all CPU cores. Its size was already 6 MB.

RAM

This chip is aimed at working in combination with only one possible type of random access memory - this is DDR3. At the same time, if the motherboard is based on "AM3 +" in the 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 slots in such a motherboard, various problem situations may arise during operation.

Thermal features of the work of the processor solution

95 W is exactly such a thermal package in fact has AMD Phenom II X4 925. The operating temperature in it in combination with the complete cooling system and in the absence of acceleration is in the range of 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. Further increase in performance will require the replacement of the cooling system with a more advanced one. The maximum permissible operating temperature of this CPU is 74 degrees.

Frequency

The nominal clock speed in AMD Phenom II X4 925 is 2800 MHz. And the multiplier of this CPU is blocked (there is no "Black Edichon" attachment in its name) and it is impossible to overclock it by simply increasing 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 problem being solved.

Architecture

The AMD Phenom II X4 925 processor is based on the architecture code-named "Deneb". It includes four independent physical cores. He does not have the support of the current more advanced technologies, and at a logical level, he still has 4 threads. But this is enough to run any existing software at the moment.

Overclocking

As noted earlier, the CPU frequency multiplier is locked in AMD Phenom II X4 925. Overclocking in this case can only be done on the frequency of the system bus. And this is quite enough to achieve a 30-35 percent increase in performance. But for this PC should be equipped with an advanced cooling system, improved modification of the motherboard and a powerful power supply.

The opinion of the owners of the chip. Its cost

In 2009, the absolute hit of sales from AMD was Phenom II 925. He allowed for relatively little money to get a very, very productive and functional computer system. Separately, it is necessary to note the overclocking potential of this solution. Under certain conditions, its productivity level could be increased by 30-35 percent. But in this case, the requirements for such a system unit increased significantly.

Results

Many PC owners based on AMD Phenom II X4 925 Continue to actively operate such computer systems. At the same time, their performance is quite sufficient even now. In the rest it is an excellent solution, which will serve its owner for more than one year.