AMD Sempron 3400+ Launch

Comparing the Line-up with CPU-Z A Detailed Comparison

When we reviewed the Sempron 3300+ back in April, the main comparison was against the Celeron D 2.8GHz processor.  This time around, AMD hasn't designated a direct Celeron model to compare to the Sempron 3400+.  Since the Sempron 3400+ builds on the successes of the Sempron 3300+, the Sempron 3300+ is a better comparison from a performance and feature standpoint.  Below we enlisted CPU-Z to shed some light in the inner qualities of the Sempron 3400+ while including the Sempron 3300+ as a frame of reference.

AMD Sempron 3400+ @ 2.0GHz		AMD Sempron 3300+ @ 2.0GHz

The first thing you'll notice is that CPU-Z's database hasn't been updated to recognize the new 64-bit Sempron.  In fact, the latest BIOS code for our test bed hasn't been updated to reflect the 64-Bit ready Semprons either.  Instead, CPU-Z identifies the CPU as an unknown Athlon 64 based on the Hammer core.  That aside, the rest of the information is accurate, with the most notable features being x86-64 support and 256KB of L2 cache.  The rest of the picture goes hand-in-hand with the characteristics of the Sempron 3300+.

Thermal Readings with NVMonitor Loaded and Unloaded Temperature Readings

Using NVMonitor, we sampled the temperature readings of AMD's Sempron 3400+ at idle and when running the processor at a 100% load.  For the fully loaded test, we ran Prime95 concurrently with SiSoft SANDRA's Burn-In test, selecting the CPU tests with a High Priority level.  At both idle and loaded tests, we left the system in each respective state for a full 30 minutes before logging the temperatures.

At idle, the Sempron 3400+ settled in at 29C with +/- 1C variation at most.  Under load, the temperature climbed by 9C to 38C with the same +/-1C variance.  As the graphs show in both cases, once the target temperatures were reached, the picture was even across the board.  Overall, the Sempron 3400+ is a low power CPU that runs very cool even under extreme CPU load.

Overclocking AMD's Sempron 3400+ What We Expected

Before getting into full fledged benchmarking, we took a few moments to see what kind of overclocking potential the Sempron 3400+ had.  Back when we reviewed the Sempron 3300+, our results were moderate at best.  Seeing how the Sempron 3300+ and 3400+ are so similar, we expected similar performance this time around.

As it turned out, our expectations were accurate. The Sempron 3400+ yielding similar overclocking potential to the Sempron 3300+.  In this case, we managed to raise the clock generator to a maximum stable speed of 230MHz.  This increased the Sempron 3400+ from 2GHz to 2.30GHz, a nominal increase of 300MHz or 15%.  Anything higher and our particular test bed became unstable.  Even slowing our memory well below spec or raising CPU voltage had no effect on our peak results.