The Inq claims a new fix for the AMD Phenom's broken L3 cache could boost performance by as much as 5-10%:
At the same time, problems with the OS freezing were solved by a BIOS fix inside the motherboards that actually reduces performance between five to 10 per cent, since that BIOS update did nothing but ordered a processor to avoid that ill-fated corrupted cache data.
The problem with L3 cache caused performance reduction on all clock speeds and yes, Phenoms 2.2 and 2.3 GHz are affected as well, but it was really noticeable at 2.4 GHz. BIOS run-around caused a 2.4 GHz part producing performance of 100-200 MHz slower parts. Of course, standard disclaimer in some rare-found, practically laboratory-only instances applies here.
We managed to learn that AMD was able to fix that problem through a micro-code update that is being prepared as we speak, and this micro-code update should be implemented in every Phenom from 9600 Black Edition and beyond. If that does not happen, micro-code should come no later than Phenom 9900 (2.6 GHz) in late January.
People who already own a Phenom will be be able to update their processor via a micro-core update that will be packaged with a motherboard BIOS update.
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