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Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and Athlon 64 FX-60 Review

We reviewed Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (2.4 GHz) and Athlon 64 FX-60 (2.6 GHz) to answer the big question of the moment: Will dual-core technology bring real performance gain for the average user?

Home » Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and Athlon 64 FX-60 Review

Introduction

Contents

  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Introduction (Cont’d)
  • 3. How We Tested
  • 4. Overall Performance: SYSmark2004
  • 5. Processing Performance: PCMark05 Professional
  • 6. Rendering Performance: Cinebench 9.5
  • 7. 3D Performance: 3DMark06 Professional
  • 8. 3D Performance: Quake 4
  • 9. Overclocking
  • 10. Conclusions

Dual-core technology is finally a reality and the tendency is that all mainstream CPUs to become dual-core in a near future. But will average users really benefit from it? In this review we’ve got two CPUs running at the same clock rate, Athlon 64 3800+ and Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (both running at 2.4 GHz), and could see if there is a real performance gain for regular users. We also checked Athlon 64 FX-60 performance, which is a dual-core Athlon 64 FX running at 2.6 GHz.

One of the greatest advantages of dual-core CPUs is that they don’t need a new motherboard. Both Athlon 64 X2 and dual-core Athlon 64 FX use the socket 939 standard, so you can replace your current socket 939 CPU directly into a dual-core AMD CPU.

Athlon 64 X2 4600+Figure 1: Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and Athlon 64 3800+

Athlon 64 FX-60Figure 2: Athlon 64 FX-60.

Both Athlon 64 X2 4600+ and Athlon 64 FX-60 are recognized as two CPUs by Windows, as you can see on Figures 3 and 4.

Athlon 64 X2 4600+Figure 3: How Athlon 64 X2 4600+ is recognized on Windows.

Athlon 64 FX-60Figure 4: How Athlon 64 FX-60 is recognized on Windows.

With a dual-core CPU you will have, in fact, two CPUs inside your PC. That’s why we are running this test: to check how much is the performance gain for a regular user. For more in-depth information about AMD dual-core technology, read our article Dual Core AMD Processors.

Continue: Introduction (Cont’d)

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For Performance

  • PCI Express 3.0 vs. 2.0: Is There a Gaming Performance Gain?
  • Does dual-channel memory make difference on integrated video performance?
  • Overclocking Pros and Cons
  • All Core i7 Models
  • Understanding RAM Timings

Everything you need to know

  • Everything You Need to Know About the Dual-, Triple-, and Quad-Channel Memory Architectures
  • Everything You Need to Know About the SPDIF Connection
  • Everything You Need to Know About the Intel Virtualization Technology
  • Everything You Need to Know About the CPU C-States Power Saving Modes

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