AMD FX-9590

AMD FX-9590

AMD FX-9590 in 2025: Is It Worth Building a System on the Legendary "Firebird"?

Introduction

The AMD FX-9590 is a processor that shocked the market in 2013 with its TDP of 220W and claimed "8-core" architecture. After 12 years, it has become a cult artifact for enthusiasts and budget builds. But is it still relevant in 2025? Let's dive into the details.


1. Key Specifications: Outdated Giant

Architecture and Manufacturing Process

The FX-9590 is based on the Piledriver microarchitecture (codename Vishera) with a 32nm manufacturing process. This is the last generation of the FX lineup, where AMD tried to compete with Intel by increasing the core count. However, "8 cores" represent 4 modules with 2 cores and shared cache, which reduces efficiency in multi-threaded tasks compared to modern CPUs.

Key Features for 2025:

- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking (base frequency 4.7 GHz, Turbo up to 5.0 GHz).

- Support for AVX and FMA3 instructions — a rarity for processors of that time.

- Low price on the secondary market (new units are unavailable).

Performance

In Geekbench 6 tests (2025):

- Single-Core: 546 — comparable to Intel Core i3-4130 (2013) or Ryzen 3 1200 (2017).

- Multi-Core: 2194 — close to Ryzen 5 1400 but significantly behind modern budget CPUs like Ryzen 3 7300 (Multi-Core ~5000).

Real Experience:

- In games from the 2010s (e.g., GTA V, Witcher 3), it delivers 40-60 FPS on medium settings with a GTX 1060 level graphics card.

- In Blender rendering or video encoding, it lags 3-4 times behind even the Ryzen 5 5500.


2. Compatible Motherboards: Hunting for Rarities

Sockets and Chipsets

The FX-9590 uses the AM3+ socket, which is incompatible with modern platforms (AM5, LGA 1700). Suitable chipsets include:

- 990FX — the top option with SLI/CrossFire support (e.g., ASUS Crosshair V Formula).

- 970 — budget boards (e.g., Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P).

Selection Features:

- VRM Module: Due to the 220W TDP, the motherboard should have at least 8-phase power delivery and MOSFET heatsinks. Boards with 4-phases (like MSI 760GMA-P34) may overheat and shut down.

- BIOS: Updating to the latest version is essential for stability.

Prices (new boards):

In 2025, new AM3+ boards are no longer produced. The only option is stores with leftovers, where prices start from $120 (ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R3.0).


3. Supported Memory: Only DDR3

The FX-9590 works exclusively with DDR3 (officially up to 1866 MHz, but overclocking to 2133 MHz is possible). Modern DDR4/DDR5 standards are not supported.

Recommendations:

- Use dual-channel kits (2×8 GB) with low timings (e.g., Kingston HyperX Fury 1866 MHz CL9).

- Avoid DDR3L (lower voltage of 1.35V) — the processor may not recognize it.


4. Power Supply: Don’t Skimp on Watts

Minimum Requirements:

- PSU of at least 600W (for a system with a graphics card like the RTX 3050).

- 80+ Bronze certification or higher.

Examples:

- Corsair CX650M (650W, semi-modular) — $75.

- Be Quiet! Pure Power 12 M 700W — $90.

Issues:

When overclocked, the FX-9590 consumes up to 250W, which can cause voltage drops on cheap PSUs. Use models with Japanese capacitors (e.g., Seasonic Focus GX-750).


5. Pros and Cons: Who Needs It?

Pros:

- Extremely low cost on the secondary market ($30-50 for the CPU).

- Ability to upgrade old AM3+ systems without changing the motherboard.

- Nostalgic factor for retro PC enthusiasts.

Cons:

- Power consumption similar to a modern gaming PC (220W vs. 65W for Ryzen 5 7500F).

- Lack of support for PCIe 4.0, NVMe, USB 3.2 Gen 2.

- Weak IPC (instructions per clock) — lags even behind budget CPUs of 2025.


6. Use Cases: Where It Still Holds Up

Gaming

- Older Titles: Skyrim, CS:GO, Dota 2 — 60+ FPS on medium settings.

- Modern AAA Titles: Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield will run on low settings at 30-40 FPS (given a powerful graphics card).

Work Tasks

- Suitable for office applications, web surfing, and document work.

- 1080p video editing is possible in DaVinci Resolve, but rendering will take 2-3 times longer than with the Ryzen 5 5600.

Multimedia

- Streaming in 720p (when using NVENC on an Nvidia graphics card).

- Watching 4K video — depends on the graphics card's decoder, as the CPU lacks an integrated graphics core.


7. Comparison with Competitors

Modern Alternatives (2025):

- AMD Ryzen 3 7300 ($120): Single-threaded performance is 2.5 times higher, TDP 65W, DDR5 support.

- Intel Core i3-14100F ($110): 4 cores/8 threads, Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~1800.

Retro Competitors (2013-2015):

- Intel Core i7-4790K: Excels in gaming due to Hyper-Threading but costs more on the secondary market ($60-80).

- FX-8350: The younger sibling of the FX-9590 with a TDP of 125W but lower frequencies (4.0/4.2 GHz).


8. Assembly Tips: How to Avoid a Nightmare

1. Cooling:

- Minimum — tower cooler with TDP dissipation of at least 200W (DeepCool Gammaxx 400).

- Ideally — liquid cooling system with 240mm (Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L).

2. Case: Choose models with good ventilation (e.g., NZXT H510 Flow).

3. SSD: Install a SATA SSD (e.g., Kingston A400 480GB) — HDD will bottleneck even Windows 11.

4. Graphics Card: Avoid models stronger than the RTX 3060 — the CPU will become a bottleneck.


9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the FX-9590 Suitable for in 2025?

This processor is worth considering only in two cases:

1. Budget Build from used components (e.g., for $200-300 for a child or office PC).

2. Retro Project for enthusiasts looking to revive the AM3+ platform or experiment with extreme cooling.

Alternative: For the same $50-100, you can buy a used Ryzen 5 1600 or Core i5-8400, which will offer better performance and compatibility with DDR4.

The FX-9590 is a monument to an era when AMD fought for multi-threading at any cost. In 2025, it is interesting only as a historical artifact or a temporary solution for those willing to endure its shortcomings for the sake of savings.

Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
June 2013
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
FX-9590
Code Name
Vishera
Generation
FX (Vishera)

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
8
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
8
Basic Frequency
4.7 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
up to 5 GHz
L1 Cache
384 KB
L2 Cache
8 MB
L3 Cache
8 MB (shared)
Bus Frequency
200 MHz
Multiplier
23.5x
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
AMD Socket AM3+
Multiplier Unlocked
Yes
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
32 nm
TDP
220 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
57°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
N/A
Transistors
1,200 million

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR3
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
Dual-channel
ECC Memory
Yes

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6
Single Core Score
546
Geekbench 6
Multi Core Score
2194
Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
674
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
3574
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
1810
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
6764

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core
624 +14.3%
580 +6.2%
546
504 -7.7%
474 -13.2%
Geekbench 6 Multi Core
2688 +22.5%
2441 +11.3%
2194
2023 -7.8%
1850 -15.7%
Geekbench 5 Single Core
717 +6.4%
692 +2.7%
674
652 -3.3%
629 -6.7%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
3839 +7.4%
3693 +3.3%
3574
3440 -3.7%
3302 -7.6%
Passmark CPU Single Core
1888 +4.3%
1849 +2.2%
1810
1786 -1.3%
1760 -2.8%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
7182 +6.2%
6983 +3.2%
6764
6413 -5.2%
6237 -7.8%