people must remember that phenom uses L3 cache at lower clock speed, then L2 cache. If it's keep up with core 2 quad with 12MB of faster l2 cache which is the same a core speed. The L3 is pretty darn fast already with out needing L3 so fast. L2 cache speed for q9550 2.830ghz L3 cache speed for phenom II 1.8ghz. huge difference