AMD Raises the Performance Bar With Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

btarunr · Aug 13, 2009

AMD today announced the world's highest clocked quad-core processor for desktop PCs, the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition processor. As an integral part of Dragon platform technology, this new processor features a stock frequency of 3.4 GHz, massive headroom, high-speed DDR3 memory support and AMD OverDrive 3.0 technology to deliver an enthusiast-class performance that fits into value-based budgets.

Since its initial launch in January 2009, Dragon platform technology has provided great performance at a great price. From the only company with unlocked CPUs and backwards compatibility for DDR2 memory, the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition processor helps customers pay less for more, period. Available for a Suggested System Builder Price of $245, users opting for Intel may be paying more for less or equal performance.

With this platform, AMD is combining its fastest processor ever with the massive graphics processing muscle of its most powerful GPUs to enable the following features:

Record-setting overclocking capabilities
AMD OverDrive 3.0 tuning software
High-speed DDR3 memory support
Planned future DirectX 11 support for the latest games
AMD Black Edition Memory Profiles for custom experiences
Cool'n'Quiet 3.0 technology to enable improved efficiency and help keep your PC running cool and quiet

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

newtekie1 · Aug 13, 2009

Good, maybe this will finally bring down the price of the Q9650...

btarunr · Aug 13, 2009

It's trading blows with QX9770 in some reviews, so I'd still pick this over a Q9650 for a first-time buyer.

That again, would be after failing to convince the buyer to wait for Core i7 800 series.

SNiiPE_DoGG · Aug 13, 2009

looks good, but since I've already got a 955 I will wait for 975, that is unless this CPU is a magic clocker on water

Millenia · Aug 13, 2009

Will buy one as soon as they become available.

newtekie1 · Aug 13, 2009

btarunr said:
It's trading blows with QX9770 in some reviews, so I'd still pick this over a Q9650 for a first-time buyer.

That again, would be after failing to convince the buyer to wait for Core i7 800 series.

Doesn't the 955 trade blows with the Q9550? I find it hard to believe that a 200MHz clock increase would give it that much of a boost...

I'd go with the 965 for a first time buyer, only because 775 is near death, but for someone like me with motherboards already just looking for a processor upgrade....

Even if it is better than the Q9650, my point still stands, this should lower the price since up until now AMD hasn't had a processor that could match it.

Kitkat · Aug 13, 2009

already ordered.

7mm · Aug 13, 2009

That'll be enough for the next 2 years of upgrade, Hopefully!

steelkane · Aug 13, 2009

Nice one,, Too good of a deal to pass up,, What's a good board to get with this.

TheMailMan78 · Aug 13, 2009

The 720 is still a better buy.

DrPepper · Aug 13, 2009

TheMailMan78 said:
The 720 is still a better buy.

The 955 is even better its about £60 cheaper

AsRock · Aug 13, 2009

TheMailMan78 said:
The 720 is still a better buy.

I would not say so, my next upgrade will force me change my mobo. With AMD you might be able just put a newer CPU in.

Kinda wish i went AMD my self to be honest and likely will next time ( 2011 ).

HossHuge · Aug 13, 2009

I already have a quad... :roll:

Fitseries3 · Aug 13, 2009

Reviews here....

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=762
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=335&Itemid=63
http://hothardware.com/News/AMD-Phenom-II-965-Black-Edition-CPU-Review/
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1037/1/
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/pii_965/
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenomii_965/

HossHuge · Aug 13, 2009

What comes between this and Bulldozer?

TheMailMan78 · Aug 13, 2009

AsRock said:
I would not say so, my next upgrade will force me change my mobo. With AMD you might be able just put a newer CPU in.

Kinda wish i went AMD my self to be honest and likely will next time ( 2011 ).

The 720 is AMD.

Valdez · Aug 13, 2009

http://products.amd.com/en-us/Deskt...&f5=&f6=C2&f7=45nm+SOI&f8=&f9=&f10=False&f11=

140w tdp

when is going a new stepping out?

PCpraiser100 · Aug 13, 2009

They Phenoms are scaring me now :twitch:

Fx · Aug 13, 2009

glad I pulled the trigger on the 955 cause I dont see this as anything special. this is good news for users that dont want to tweak whatsoever

FreedomEclipse · Aug 13, 2009

btarunr said:
It's trading blows with QX9770 in some reviews

thats its true but its only trading blows in a few tests - the QX9770 still has the upper hand in most tests & benchmarks - gaming wise compared to the QX9770 again. the 965 couldnt run toe to toe but it wasnt far behind either.

newtekie1 said:
Doesn't the 955 trade blows with the Q9550?

this is where it gets a little confusing - a lot a reviews have the 965 trading blows with the QX9770 & at the sametime there are lots of other reviews where they put it up against a Q9550.

however the 965 puts up a good fight but its again beaten down by Intels overclockability - most Q9550's reach 4ghz - the highest ive heard a 965 can reach is 3.8Ghz. which is not too shabby at all & since that is the case - choosing the winner is all about how much the CPU costs. It has to be priced under the Q9550 to remain competative otherwise peeople will just get a Q9550 which are getting cheaper & cheaper by the the moment.

Paintface · Aug 13, 2009

FreedomEclipse said:
thats its true but its only trading blows in a few tests - the QX9770 still has the upper hand in most tests & benchmarks - gaming wise compared to the QX9770 again. the 965 couldnt run toe to toe but it wasnt far behind either.

this is where it gets a little confusing - a lot a reviews have the 965 trading blows with the QX9770 & at the sametime there are lots of other reviews where they put it up against a Q9550.

however the 965 puts up a good fight but its again beaten down by Intels overclockability - most Q9550's reach 4ghz - the highest ive heard a 965 can reach is 3.8Ghz. which is not too shabby at all & since that is the case - choosing the winner is all about how much the CPU costs. It has to be priced under the Q9550 to remain competative otherwise peeople will just get a Q9550 which are getting cheaper & cheaper by the the moment.

uh 3.7-3.8ghz is the minimum those unlocked Phenom IIs clock to , with adequat voltage 4ghz usually isnt aproblem.

FreedomEclipse · Aug 13, 2009

Paintface said:
uh 3.7-3.8ghz is the minimum those unlocked Phenom IIs clock to , with adequat voltage 4ghz usually isnt aproblem.

I take it youve already had one for the last few weeks & had time to play around with it??

erocker · Aug 13, 2009

Paintface said:
uh 3.7-3.8ghz is the minimum those unlocked Phenom IIs clock to , with adequat voltage 4ghz usually isnt aproblem.

All the reviews I've seen on the 965 so far, they don't seem to clock any better than the 955's.

TheMailMan78 · Aug 13, 2009

Paintface said:
uh 3.7-3.8ghz is the minimum those unlocked Phenom IIs clock to , with adequat voltage 4ghz usually isnt aproblem.

Thats not true at all my friend. I can't break 3.45ghz on mine. Its all luck of the draw.

mdm-adph · Aug 13, 2009

TheMailMan78 said:
The 720 is still a better buy.

Only because you have one. :laugh:

I personally think my 5000+ that I got for free beats them all!

FreedomEclipse said:
thats its true but its only trading blows in a few tests - the QX9770 still has the upper hand in most tests & benchmarks - gaming wise compared to the QX9770 again. the 965 couldnt run toe to toe but it wasnt far behind either.

Except that the old QX9770 costs (or cost) something like 4-times the 965. Factor that in and they're equal, as far as I'm concerned.

Though, both are behind the i7 920, of course. :shadedshu

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AMD Raises the Performance Bar With Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

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