Barc Scaling: 2.0 vs. 2.5GHz

With two significantly different clock speeds on hand, we wanted to see how Barcelona performance would scale once AMD starts shipping at higher frequencies. At 2.5GHz we're running at a 25% higher clock speed than the 2.0GHz Barcelona, the chart below shows what performance improvement you get for the 25% increase in clock speed. Just as before, the benchmarks run are our standard CPU tests with the exception of the gaming benchmarks which are run at 1024 x 768 to ensure that they are CPU bound:

Even limited by its DDR2-667 memory subsystem, Barcelona scales well with clock speed. Windows Media Encoder, 3dsmax and Cinebench all scale almost perfectly with clock speed, and the rest of the tests aren't that far behind. Remember when we heard at Computex that Barcelona will really be competitive at higher clock speeds? It looks like this initial scaling data supports that theory, especially because Intel is very close to not shipping any mainstream desktop parts below 2.0GHz.

K8 vs. Barcelona: The Phenom Preview Final Words
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  • AbRASiON - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    Anand's final page sums it up really.

  • Pythias - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    I sure as hell hope not. If either side prevails, say goodbye to affordable processors.
  • hifisoftware - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    I guess it means we just have to say good buy to affordable processors then. Maybe AMD can ramp-up speeds very fast, but until they get there, they will be hurting/losing money. How much can they bleed red ink until it's too much?
  • Howard - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    We'll have more Barcelona server content coming as we spend more time with the system, but be sure to check out Johan's coverage to get a good idea of how Barcelona will compete in its //indended// market.
  • MDme - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    I have a feeling that Barcelona will be much more competitive in the server market compared with the desktop market. i.e. Barcey will hold off intel in the server space while it may not be enough to dethrone intel in the desktop arena, it will at least narrow the gap with intel.
  • DeepThought86 - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    Barcelona, the chip that launched a thousand flames!

    Fanbois on both sides: on your mark, get set, go!
  • KeypoX - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    Didnt know why i couldnt view it till now but been waiting all day :)
  • Frags - Saturday, September 15, 2007 - link

    AMD needs a Forrest Gump moment with the leg braces flying off to run away from the Bully.
    The road to Barcelona was a Flop. They need to cut their path to 45nm in half or recieve a blood transfusion soon.
  • KeypoX - Monday, September 10, 2007 - link

    but it was called "AMD's Quadcore: defending new found territory" on my google Anandtech article channel.
  • Thatguy97 - Thursday, June 18, 2015 - link

    lol i sadly remember this embarrising launch

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