Solved New AMD FX9590 slower than my old Phenom 1100T

I just built a new system around the AMD FX 9590 on an Asus MB with 32GB of RAM. I excitedly decided to run a benchmark (in this case, Novabench) on the new system once I got all my other programs loaded. Imagine my shock and dismay when my "super system" posted HALF the total score of my 4-year old Phenom! I opened Task Manager, focusing on the CPU, and ran the tests again. It never budged from 1.5GHz. I understand it running at a lower frequency since when not under load, but in this case, it should have jumped up to the full 4.7GHz for the tests. And strangely, my Samsung SSD only recorded 41MB/s, where as the same SSD in my older system registered something like 150MB/s. With the exception of memory, every benchmark, frankly, sucked.

Anyone have an idea where to look for what might be throttling back my system so severely? Thanks for the help.

Try some other benchmarking program like Cine Bench, MAXON | 3D FOR THE REAL WORLD: Overview it might load up system better. Also benchmark with all power saving options disabled.
You checked for BIOS updates, of course, didn't you. It's a brand new processor so it could be a problem there. Another thing is that 9590 draws a lot more power and MB might be throttling voltage.

Would also help to know what motherboard.

Is it possible that you need a bios update for your motherboard....??

Thanks for the suggestions. My MB is an Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z, top of the line for them for the AM3+ boards, and the BIOS is the most recent. Though I've built computers for many, many year, I'm not sure on this one (whether in Win 8 or the BIOS), where to disable the power reduction options, but I'll try to find it. The BIOS is pretty massive to wade through, and not all options are clear to me. With your suggestions, I think I'll call Asus Tech Support and see where i can get with them. My problem has been not quite knowing whether the problem is something within Win 8 or hardware/BIOS. Especially since it has effect ALL aspects of speed from SSD write speed to video to overall number crunching (image processing). I read an article that mentioned that Win 8 was slightly faster in benchmarks than Win 7.

Ok, there's your problem right there. Your mb only supports cpu's up to 140w, and the fx-9590 is 220w.

Motherboards - CROSSHAIR V FORMULA-Z

Hmmm... perhaps I was wrong, as it seems a bios update was available that did add support for your 9590...

Motherboards - CROSSHAIR V FORMULA-Z
Although I would check the bios, make sure the cpu is in fact getting it's required 220w.

Did you connect both the 8 pin and 4 pin CPU power connectors on the motherboard?

After calling Asus Tech Support and discussing the issue at length, we finally narrowed the issue to either the RAM or the CPU. I also realized, I still had a switch and pin set on the MB to Slow Mode, which can help with cold bugs and other issues. That forces the CPU to throttle back to about 1.5GHz, so with that "unlocked", it freed up the CPU speed.

After pulling all but one stick of RAM (I have four 8GB sticks), I tried each one alone in the system. Each time I experienced a lockup. I also, tried some 4GB sticks I had lying around. same thing. I used the Asus monitor to check temps as I ran test and noticed that, considering I wasn't overlly stressing the system, that the CPU was running pretty hot -- about 140F. I even had a notice pop up about either temps or voltage for the NB, but it went away too quickly for me to really read. Before things got really bad, I was able to run a complete set of Novabench tests at normal speed. It FINALLY was higher than my old system, though not by much. I was a bit off in my total bench score for the Phenom. It was actually 1469, while the FX was 1759. So a modest increase, though not the oomph I'd hoped for, considering cost.

With that in mind, and thinking the CPU may be faulty at higher temps (so much for overclocking thoughts), I decided to tear down the CPU and cooler. I cleaned the CPU and cooler plate with alcohol and reapplied a generous glob of CPU paste. I also put a fourth exhaust fan in the case. Where as at idle, the CPU was running hot, around 130F, it's now, for non-stress tasks, running in the 90s. A big difference.

So, at least for the moment, I think my issues are solved. It was combination of pilot error, as well as thermal issues. The FX9590 does not like it hot. In the end, I think I probably have a marginal sample of this chip, and may have to replace it with another (if I can AMD to make good), or buy a slower chip and clock it up if necessary. I hear the FX9590 is essentially already factor overclocked, so unless you have an amazing cooling system (mine is the stock double push/pull water cooler/fan that came with the chip), I have to take baby steps to see how it holds up.

Thanks for all the suggestions and input and ideas.

Glad ya got it sorted, and thanks for posting back the fix.

Yeah, it's essentially high-binned (high priced too) 8350. 8350 can be made to run at 4.7 GHz under good air cooler and 4,9 to 5 with water cooler. My neighbor is running 8350 under a CM 612 Evo cooler at 4.8 GHz without problems. It's pretty easy to OC it as it has a lot of reserve power. I don't think you could notice difference in speed between 9590 and so OCed 8350. It doesn't have any new instructions comparing to 8350.