New AMD processor launches this month!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

It seems that the 3.2ghz Phenom II X4 955 and 2.8ghz Athlon X2 7850 BE will be released on the 23rd:

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...3186&Itemid=35

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...13185&Itemid=1

Looks like the 45nm Athlon X2 will be released in June:

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...13188&Itemid=1

[shaithis]

That media centre is looking more appealing....

[nvening]

Im still glad my X3 is coming tomos cause they look kinda expensive!

[scaryjim]

Im still glad my X3 is coming tomos cause they look kinda expensive!

The 955 BE will be, because it's range topping. The X2 7850 BE shouldn't be more than £70 once prices settle down, as it has to fit sensibly below the Phenom II based dual-cores, which must be below the X3 710 which is currently ~ £100.

My only consideration is whether it's worth waiting for all these shenannigans, or whether I should start piecing together my new build now - which leaves me pondering the X2 7750 BE @ £55, the X3 8650 (yes, a Phenom 1!!) @ £75, or the X3 710, @ £100. Given that I'm likely to overclock this one a bit anyway, and I'm probably going to put it into a 790GX board so I'll get that extra OC boost from the SB750, I really can't decide which is the better option...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The 955 BE will be, because it's range topping. The X2 7850 BE shouldn't be more than £70 once prices settle down, as it has to fit sensibly below the Phenom II based dual-cores, which must be below the X3 710 which is currently ~ £100.

My only consideration is whether it's worth waiting for all these shenannigans, or whether I should start piecing together my new build now - which leaves me pondering the X2 7750 BE @ £55, the X3 8650 (yes, a Phenom 1!!) @ £75, or the X3 710, @ £100. Given that I'm likely to overclock this one a bit anyway, and I'm probably going to put it into a 790GX board so I'll get that extra OC boost from the SB750, I really can't decide which is the better option...

I would go for the X3 710 as it has at least a 5% to 10% clock for clock speed increase over the original Phenom and lower power consumption too.

You maybe able to unlock the fourth core too:

http://my.ocworkbench.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=444335

http://www.cpu3d.com/news/7339-1/act...710/story.html

http://forums.techarena.in/overclock...on/1141502.htm

[scaryjim]

Thanks for the usual immediate glut of info CAT I know the 710 is the better processor, but is it 33% better (quite apart from the extra £25 would probably take me over my build budget )? I can't find off hand any OC figures for the 8650, but given that Hexus got their 9850BE from 2.5 stock to 2.9 on non-SB750 boards, then to 3.2 on SB750, I'm kind of interested in what the 8650 can do! Although for my usual workload I'm pretty sure the 7750BE is the sensible option really - I doubt I'll need that third core!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would probably go with the X2 7750+ TBH instead of the 8650 as you already have a Q6600 for applications which need multiple cores. The X2 7750+ should overclock better than the 8650.

[Main]

So dual core Phenom II in June eh? I like the sound of that, just so long as doesn't turn up too close to £100.

I think the next chipsets (RD890 and RS880) are due in the second quarter too, although the date seems to vary depending on where you look...

[scaryjim]

I would probably go with the X2 7750+ TBH instead of the 8650 as you already have a Q6600 for applications which need multiple cores.

Lol! True dat - I always forget about this old beast when I'm considering new computers! Must try to avoid being distracted by the shiny next time

[djw74]

955 plus DFI mobo plus OCZ new AMD 1600 ddr3 RAM should make for a very extreme system and I would love to see how it matches up against Intel. If it is anywhere in the ballpark for the less money (hopefully under $650 for all 3), then it will be the next "gaming" chip again. Personally, as long as the price is anywhere near reasonable then I will get it to support AMD in these troubled times.

[Badbonji]

If anyone picks this up we could do a clock for clock comparison on here with my intel 965 vs phenom II 955?

Anyone going to get it? I question their overclockability, as before there were "Samples" of phenom II reaching 4 ghz, but haven't seen anyone on www.ocforums.com get 4ghz stable for 24/7 usage. So I am waiting on someone to see what it can do in real life. Also, the 4Ghz at 1.45V was more likely just booting up at it, and doesn't mean it is stable, no benchmarks were even run.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Core i7 965??? I could assemble a decent PC for the cost of one of those!!

Getting back to planet reality it would interesting to see how this is priced when compared to the Q9550 and even the Core i7 920(even though there is significantly increased platform costs) and whether it has better performance(or not) when all processors are compared at stock speeds.
It would also be interesting to see if DDR3 actually makes any difference to performance this time around.

Of course as everyone knows overclocking is never a given and TBH basing your purchasing on overclocking ability alone is a bit daft(unless the CPU is cheap).

[Badbonji]

Core i7 965??? I could assemble a decent PC for the cost of one of those!!

Getting back to planet reality it would interesting to see how this is priced when compared to the Q9550 and even the Core i7 920(even though there is significantly increased platform costs) and whether it has better performance(or not) when all processors are compared at stock speeds.
It would also be interesting to see if DDR3 actually makes any difference to performance this time around.

Of course as everyone knows overclocking is never a given and TBH basing your purchasing on overclocking ability alone is a bit daft(unless the CPU is cheap).

I did get it for cheaper than retail, you think I would spend a full £1,000 :O

I was on about maybe downclocking it to a 920, then at 4ghz head to head or something. DDR3 barely makes a difference in most applications, because of the higher latencies. I was going to get just a 920 until I caught my eye and just had the spare cash. Of course will be more limited upgrades while at uni, but while I have the money I got to make the most of it!

[sammorris]

Realistically, the Phenom IIs should be compared to Core 2 Quads, not Core i7s, the i7 is in a different league, both performance-wise and price-wise, though the falling price of DDR3 has put an i7 920 backbone (CPU, Mobo, RAM) only 25% above the cost of a Phenom II 940 one.

Right now I'd consider the Phenom II X4 940's rival to be the Core 2 Quad Q9400. The acid test I suppose is if the Phenom 955 can match a Q9550, and more to the point, if it's priced as well.