Monday, February 9th 2009

AMD Launches Five More AM2+ and AM3 Phenom II Processors

AMD today extended its Phenom II line-up with five new processors, including the industry's only 45nm triple-core CPUs and three new AMD Phenom II quad-core processors. Part of the fire breathing AMD Dragon platform, these new Phenom II chips fit in either AM2+ or AM3 sockets and support DDR2 or next generation DDR3 memory. The new triple-core and quad-core AMD Phenom II processors are available immediately with the following model numbers:
  • AMD Phenom II X4 910 2.6GHz, 6MB of L3 cache
  • AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz, 4MB of L3 cache - $175
  • AMD Phenom II X4 805 2.5GHz, 4MB of L3 cache
  • AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz, 6MB of L3 cache - $145
  • AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz, 6MB of L3 cache - $125
All five Phenom II chips have the same 95W TDP.
Source: AMD
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60 Comments on AMD Launches Five More AM2+ and AM3 Phenom II Processors

#26
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
This is a processor shootout, not a GPU one. The GPU is the standard component, in this case, the GTX 280. And so, keeping the graphics component constant, the reviewer is evaluating how much the CPU impacts on the FPS. It becomes obvious the i7 920 performs the best, and Phenom X4 810 the worst, as the test is being run on a low resolution of 800x600, where the game is more CPU-bound.

At high resolutions, it doesn't matter if the GPU is "holding back" a processor, all the processors are given the same GPU to play with.
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#29
TheMailMan78
Big Member
MohawkAngelHeres my rig
valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=503223

Can you tell me what CPU I could install in this rig to obtain the best performance with what i have in it WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING ELSE!!!!
Thank you
Honestly your GPU is the bottleneck.
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#30
MohawkAngel
I know you told me in many post now can anyone tell me for the CPU ?
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#31
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Damn, very nice. The 810 at $175 is wonderful, and it doesn't look like the reduced cache really hurt it that much and hopefully it might help overclocking a little. I am surprised that they didn't cut the cache size on the 700s, I really thought they would go down to 4MB on those also, as they are disabling a core also. Perhaps we will see some even cheaper models, perhaps a Tri-Core 600 series with only 4MB of cache for the sub-$100 market...one can hope.

I would really like to see 910 vs. 810 benchmarks to see how much the cache reduction really hurts these processors clock for clock.

I'd like to see a 800 series BE also, and higher clocks too to start really driving down Intel's prices. But I guess that is why this is only and 810, leave space open for an 820, 830, and 840. I think a 840BE@3.0GHz stock in the sub-$200 market would be a killer chip.
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#32
Kei
Why......why am I thinking about that AM3 720 processor sooooo hard right now! I know I said I was going to go with the AM3 925, but everything in my head right now is telling me to buy the 720 like yesterday!

What do you guys think...it could be fun? :)

Kei
Posted on Reply
#33
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
MohawkAngelCan you tell me what CPU I could install in this rig to obtain the best performance with what i have in it WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING ELSE!!!!
Thank you
Phenom II X4 940 BE. It needs a BIOS update. If even updating the BIOS isn't an option, Phenom X4 9950.
Posted on Reply
#34
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
I just got done reading some of the reviews. Damn the 810 seems to be within 1% of the 910 overall, cache doesn't seem to hurt it at all. Seems like a real bad ass chip for the price, especially since that $175 is bound to go down in the next few weeks. The 3.8GHz overclocks on it don't hurt either.
Posted on Reply
#35
1Kurgan1
The Knife in your Back
btarunrThis is a processor shootout, not a GPU one. The GPU is the standard component, in this case, the GTX 280. And so, keeping the graphics component constant, the reviewer is evaluating how much the CPU impacts on the FPS. It becomes obvious the i7 920 performs the best, and Phenom X4 810 the worst, as the test is being run on a low resolution of 800x600, where the game is more CPU-bound.

At high resolutions, it doesn't matter if the GPU is "holding back" a processor, all the processors are given the same GPU to play with.
I know that, that is why I linked it. But I am simply explaining that it was a GPU bottleneck, which you reaffirmed, but reworded.

Not that it matters, but earlier I was just answering Eidair's question about the FPS being lower in the higher end of the tests from the other review. And now just following it up saying that it is indeed a bottleneck when you have low FPS on a high end game and the processors are all performing the same.
newtekie1I would really like to see 910 vs. 810 benchmarks to see how much the cache reduction really hurts these processors clock for clock.
The 810 will stomp the 710, look how well the 810 performs on anything that uses all its cores against the PII 720. When OC'd up even with the 810 being 400mhz behind it runs with the 720 BE on quiet a few tests. So the loss of a core and a locked multi is just going to hurt the 710 even more so.
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#36
Binge
Overclocking Surrealism
zzZzzzZZzzZZzzzz... why talk about 3-4 fps differences that could be made up with a graphics card or an overclock? These procs are priced well, but really don't offer much more than the AM2+ counterparts.
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#37
spearman914
Good news seeing AMD is expanding the new proc family!!
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#38
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
1Kurgan1The 810 will stomp the 710, look how well the 810 performs on anything that uses all its cores against the PII 720. When OC'd up even with the 810 being 400mhz behind it runs with the 720 BE on quiet a few tests. So the loss of a core and a locked multi is just going to hurt the 710 even more so.
Why are you talking about the 710?
BingezzZzzzZZzzZZzzzz... why talk about 3-4 fps differences that could be made up with a graphics card or an overclock? These procs are priced well, but really don't offer much more than the AM2+ counterparts.
The AM2+ counterparts are gone. I believe AMD is EOLing them by the end of Feb. if they haven't already. And they offer a reduction in cost over their counterparts currently on the market.
Posted on Reply
#39
1Kurgan1
The Knife in your Back
newtekie1Why are you talking about the 710?
Because I don't believe in reading comprehension! I thought I seen 710 instead I now said you seen 910. Probably be a decent faceoff, I haven't really looked at the 910, but seeing as it runs at the same speed as the 810 should be a bit of a step up. Guess this will be a good way to get an idea on how good or bad the extra L3 is for performance.
BingezzZzzzZZzzZZzzzz... why talk about 3-4 fps differences that could be made up with a graphics card or an overclock? These procs are priced well, but really don't offer much more than the AM2+ counterparts.
That really is the way of the industry, the i7 920 and q9650 aren't too far off in price (especially if you count the price of everything you need to run LGA1366). 3-4fps in games from changing a processor from something that was already good is a pretty good pickup, but check the differences in the other non-gaming CPU tests. The PII's walk the old 9850 pretty hard.
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#40
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
1Kurgan1Because I don't believe in reading comprehension! I thought I seen 710 instead I now said you seen 910. Probably be a decent faceoff, I haven't really looked at the 910, but seeing as it runs at the same speed as the 810 should be a bit of a step up. Guess this will be a good way to get an idea on how good or bad the extra L3 is for performance.
I figured you just read it wrong.:laugh: Just had to give you some crap. :toast:

I read the anandtech review, as it was the only one that seemed to cover all the new processors, and the 810 was extremely close to the 910, both trading blows. Surprisingly the 810 actually beat the 910 in some. The extra cache doesn't seem to provide that much of an advantage, especially in gaming.

If the 810 is priced right, and not $5 less than the 910, I really think it might be one of the best bang for the buck chips out there right now.
Posted on Reply
#41
1Kurgan1
The Knife in your Back
They need to drop the 810 another few, maybe $10 to make it a good deal. I know the $175 they say might not be what it lists as once it hits newegg and such. But if it does thats riding too close to the 920 (and I bet 925 will be same price).

I really think the $810 should be very close to the 720 in price. That way you make the choice whats more important to you. Most games only use 2 cores, so the better clocking 720 would be a gamers choice, where as for burning dvd's and running a general home server comp the 810 would be the better choice for that additional core.
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#42
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Newegg's selling the 920 for about $5 under MSRP right now, $190, so I would expect the trend to stay true with the 810. So $170 for the 810, I would expect the 910 to fill the gap at $180. I do think you are right though, then need to spread the prices out a little bit more, but dropping it too low might really start to hurt ther sales of the higher processors.

Right now, there might be a lot of people saying "well it is only $20 more for a 920, why not". But dropping the price another $10 might make a lot of people say "well, the 920 isn't really worth $30 more."
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#43
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
Wow AMD is kicking it up another notch. Im loving these procs but cant wait to see what they come out with next to be quite honest.
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#44
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
i really really want to grab a 720BE
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#45
1Kurgan1
The Knife in your Back
$145 is pretty cheap, might as well. I was going for a 940BE myself, but due to budget plans have changed and looks to be a 720BE in my future. I'm just hoping with 1 less core working that the temps might allow it to be pushed a bit easier.
Posted on Reply
#46
Kei
cdawalli really really want to grab a 720BE
At least I know I'm not alone now :shadedshu

I'm very seriously thinking of selling my 920 and picking up a 720 which is you asked me a month ago would just not happen. I'm trying to justify it to myself besides just the AM3 part which is a big point to me with the upgrade path in the future.

The A-W-E-S-O-M-E price has something to do with it too. I remember the days when the top of the line AMD chips used to cost $1k or more like Intel still charges and it's just insane what you can get for 20% of that price today! :eek:

Kei
Posted on Reply
#47
MohawkAngel
By talking processor i dont really know much more about connectors can you tell me exactly if i can get phenom tri-core ou quad-core for my Asus M3A78-CM ? Thx
Posted on Reply
#48
1Kurgan1
The Knife in your Back
Yes you can, as long as it supports AM2+ which your does, I'm not sure if normal AM2 mobo's can do it, but that don't matter in your case. But like said upgrade your gfx first. a 4600+ is plenty enough for now.
Posted on Reply
#49
Kei
1Kurgan1Yes you can, as long as it supports AM2+ which your does, I'm not sure if normal AM2 mobo's can do it, but that don't matter in your case. But like said upgrade your gfx first. a 4600+ is plenty enough for now.
Agreed, before I would upgrade the processor again I would upgrade the gpu if your goal is an increase in gaming or simulation performance. The graphics cards is definintely the weakest link right now. I used to use own a 4800+ a while back and it can surprisingly run basically anything you want as long as the gpu isn't too slow. I was using an 8800GT overclocked pretty well and could run Crysis with no problems, and anything else I wanted to run.

Of course if you want to upgrade both the cpu and gpu then you will see huge gains in everything.

Kei
Posted on Reply
#50
TheMailMan78
Big Member
I really want that 720BE. When did TPU make me such a hardware whore? I used to have self control.
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