TechRadar Verdict
Could do better, but overall this is a competent and powerful CPU
Pros
- +
Added power of four cores
- +
Good value
Cons
- -
Slightly sluggish with gaming
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
It's a common aphorism that two heads are better than one, but can it be said that four cores are really better than two?
The Phenom suffers from a sloth-like 2.2GHz core clock and has just 512KB of L2 cache per core.
But, by using a lightning-fast 3,600MHz bus, and having the memory controller on the die, the Phenom has a trick or two up its sleeve.
Speedier performance
In the HD video encoding test, the 9550 actually achieved a higher framerate then Intel's top-end quad, the QX9650, and it leaves the E2180 standing.
The 3D rendering is also much better than the faster E2180, although strangely, the game scores are lower, a problem for both this and the 9850.
Still, for just a few pounds more than the E6850, the extra grunt of two more cores is money well spent.
The TechRadar hive mind. The Megazord. The Voltron. When our powers combine, we become 'TECHRADAR STAFF'. You'll usually see this author name when the entire team has collaborated on a project or an article, whether that's a run-down ranking of our favorite Marvel films, or a round-up of all the coolest things we've collectively seen at annual tech shows like CES and MWC. We are one.