AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE
AMD processor specifications and benchmark scores
AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE Specifications
Phenom X4 9600 BE Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE features 4 physical cores and 4 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
Phenom X4 9600 BE Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Phenom X4 9600 BE benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Phenom X4 9600 BE by AMD can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
AMD's Phenom X4 9600 BE Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the Phenom X4 9600 BE processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Phenom X4 9600 BE's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
K10 Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE is built on AMD's 65 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in Phenom X4 9600 BE incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
K10 Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Phenom X4 9600 BE by AMD supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
Phenom X4 9600 BE Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 95W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
AMD Socket AM2+ Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Phenom X4 9600 BE uses the AMD Socket AM2+ socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
AMD Socket AM2+ Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the Phenom X4 9600 BE define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Phenom X4 9600 BE determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
AMD's Phenom X4 9600 BE Integrated Graphics
Built-in GPU specifications
The AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a dedicated GPU in basic computing scenarios. Integrated graphics are ideal for office productivity, video playback, and light gaming. While not designed for demanding GPU benchmarks, the iGPU in the Phenom X4 9600 BE provides hardware video encoding and decoding capabilities. This makes the processor suitable for compact builds, HTPCs, and systems where power efficiency is prioritized over gaming performance.
Phenom X4 9600 BE Product Information
Release and pricing details
The AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE is manufactured by AMD and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Phenom X4 9600 BE by AMD offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within AMD's product lineup.
Phenom X4 9600 BE Benchmark Scores
No benchmark data available for this CPU.
About AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE
The AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE processor marked a significant step in AMD's quad-core lineup with its Agena architecture, delivering four physical cores without hyper-threading, which limited its multi-threading capabilities compared to later Intel counterparts. In workloads demanding parallel processing, such as video encoding or scientific simulations, the chip could leverage its cores effectively but often struggled against dual-core setups with hyper-threading due to the absence of simultaneous multi-threading support. Benchmarks from its era showed respectable performance in multi-threaded applications like Cinebench R10, where it scored around 1,800 points, highlighting its ability to handle moderate parallelism without excelling in highly threaded scenarios. The unlocked Black Edition nature allowed enthusiasts to overclock, potentially boosting multi-threaded throughput by 20-30% on compatible motherboards, though thermal constraints from the 65nm process capped extreme gains. Overall, the AMD's AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE chip served as a solid foundation for entry-level multi-core computing in 2007, but its lack of advanced threading tech made it less future-proof for evolving software demands.
Performance frequencies of the AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE centered on a base clock of 2.3 GHz, with each core operating independently without turbo boost mechanisms, resulting in consistent but unremarkable speeds for its time. In single-threaded tasks, it delivered IPC rates typical of the K10 microarchitecture, achieving around 1.5-2.0 billion operations per second in SPECint benchmarks, which paled against contemporary Intel Core 2 Quads. Overclocking the unlocked multiplier to 2.8 GHz or higher was a hallmark feature, enabling users to extract better frequencies for gaming and productivity apps, often yielding 15-25% uplifts in frame rates or render times. However, without benchmark data directly available, historical reviews indicate it competed closely with the Phenom X4 9500 in clock-for-clock efficiency, underscoring AMD's push toward accessible performance tuning. The chip's 2 GHz effective speed in many real-world tests positioned it as a budget-friendly option for gamers building AM2+ systems, though it couldn't match the raw frequency prowess of higher-binned rivals.
Power consumption for the AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE was governed by its 95W TDP, which translated to real-world draws of 80-100W under load, making it a power-hungry contender in the late 2000s desktop space. The 65nm fabrication process contributed to higher leakage currents, exacerbating heat output during sustained multi-core workloads and necessitating robust cooling solutions for stability. In idle states, it sipped around 30-40W, but efficiency metrics like performance-per-watt lagged behind AMD's own later architectures, with ratios hovering at 10-15 points per watt in productivity suites. Overclockers found the TDP headroom forgiving up to 125W with aftermarket coolers, but stock operation favored balanced systems over all-out performance rigs. This power profile influenced its suitability for mainstream builds, where the AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE processor balanced cost and capability without demanding enterprise-grade power supplies.
The memory subsystem of the AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE supported dual-channel DDR2-800, with a shared 2MB L3 cache that acted as a unified pool for all cores, mitigating some bandwidth bottlenecks inherent to the AM2+ platform. This setup provided up to 12.8 GB/s theoretical bandwidth, adequate for 2007 applications but prone to latency issues in cache-miss heavy scenarios like database queries. Integrated memory controller handled timings effectively at stock, though overclocking often required voltage tweaks to maintain stability with higher-speed kits. Best suited applications included light content creation, such as Adobe Premiere rendering or basic 3D modeling in older versions of Maya, where its quad cores shone without overwhelming memory demands. Gaming titles from the era, like Crysis or BioShock, benefited from the multi-core design for improved frame pacing, positioning the AMD's Phenom X4 9600 BE as an ideal chip for budget enthusiasts targeting immersive experiences on integrated graphics setups.
The Intel Equivalent of Phenom X4 9600 BE
Looking for a similar processor from Intel? The Intel Core i5-750 offers comparable performance and features in the Intel lineup.
Popular AMD Phenom X4 9600 BE Comparisons
See how the Phenom X4 9600 BE stacks up against similar processors from the same generation and competing brands.
Compare Phenom X4 9600 BE with Other CPUs
Select another CPU to compare specifications and benchmarks side-by-side.
Browse CPUs