ScienceMark 2.0, Pifast
Looking at memory bandwidth and latency first. Remember that all S939 CPUs have 2 integrated memory controllers that can use regular unbuffered memory. With both Corsair and OCZ now offering ultra-low-latency memory at DDR400 speeds AMD's latest CPUs look mighty tasty. We ran both with 2-3-2-6 latencies, so there's room for performance improvement.
Straight off the bat both new CPUs do well in ScienceMark's memory analysis, eclipsing the benchmarks laid by a S940 FX-53 CPU.
Latency analysis shows S939 CPUs in a much better light, too. Shaving 10ns over a S940 FX-53 will manifest itself into better results. Let's see how much better with Pifast.
Two things jump out here. Firstly, we expected the S939 FX-53 to be a touch quicker than the S940 version. Unbuffered memory that's run a little tighter should provide a faster time, and it does. We're approaching the magical sub-50s default time. The second aspect we reckon needs highlighting is how close the 512kb L2 cache (hence cheaper) Model 3800+ gets to the S939 FX-53. It even shows the supposedly better S940 FX-53 a clean pair of heels.
