http://www.ocworkbench.com/2007/gigabyte/GA-MA790FX-DQ6/b1.htmnote the review above is actually for the MA790FX-DQ6 mobo but does have the 9600 in it and is an honest test vs some of the other crap out there.
also note the new pricing
next Monday:
Phenom X4 9700 / 2400MHz / 4MB Cache / 2000MHz HT / 125W - $279
Phenom X4 9600 / 2300MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $269
Phenom X4 9500 / 2200MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $239
clock for clock the new chips are almost equal to intels quads ( excpet in multimedia ) they win some and loose some. Now with the new prices they are also priced very well, knowing amd when the chips hit the street prices a bit less than msrp, this means that amd is more or less back in the game performance vs price against intel in the sub $300 area.
Problem is the new 45nm intel hit in jan, they will have a 2.5 part for $250 that will run 5-15% faster than the current chips and force amd to drop prices more, but until then, they will get good xmas sales and look like good choices for amd guys to.
Now amd needs to get some 3.0 parts out for $500 so intel will have to drop the qx9650 to match, then we'll have another price war going and we'll all be happy!!!!