AMD Phenom II Socket AM3 processor
The chip maker's back in the game
Review The first two models of AMD’s Phenom II processor showed that the move from 65nm to 45nm was thoroughly good news. It reduced power draw and waste heat while allowing AMD to increase clock speeds, which is very jubbly indeed.
Now it’s time for the other half of the story, as AMD unveils Socket AM3 with its support for 1333MHz DDR3 system memory.
AMD's Phenom II: now with DDR 3 support
AMD has launched five new models of Socket AM3 Phenom II, with three models in both retail and tray packaging, and two models that are only available in trays for system builders. The retail parts are:
- AMD Phenom II X4 810 (2.6GHz, quad core, 4MB L3)
Available in PIB at AMD's suggested 1KU price of $175 each (£160 retail) - AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition (2.8GHz, triple core, 6MB L3)
Available in PIB at AMD's suggested 1KU price of $145 each (£131 retail) - AMD Phenom II X3 710 (2.6GHz, triple core, 6MB L3)
Available in PIB at AMD's suggested 1KU price of $125 each (£113 retail)
While the two tray parts are:
- AMD Phenom II X4 910 (2.6GHz, quad core, 6MB L3)
- AMD Phenom II X4 805 (2.5GHz, quad core, 4MB L3)
Because these are tray parts we do not have prices. But here are AMD's official specs for the parts:
| Model Number | Frequency | L3 Cache Size | Nominal Voltage | OPN(s) |
| X4 810 | 2.6GHz | 4MB | 0.875-1.425V | Tray: HDX810WFK4FGI
PIB: HDX810WFGIBOX |
| X3 720 BE | 2.8GHz | 6MB | 0.850-1.425V | Tray: HDZ720WFK3DGI
PIB: HDZ720WFGIBOX |
| X3 710 | 2.6GHz | 6MB | 0.875-1.425V | Tray: HDX710WFK3DGI
PIB: HDX710WFGIBOX |
| X4 910 | 2.6GHz | 6MB | 0.875-1.425V | Tray: HDX910WFK4DGI |
| X4 805 | 2.5GHz | 4MB | 0.875-1.425V | Tray: HDX805WFK4FGI |
Common AM3 Processor Specifications
L1 Cache Sizes 64KB of instruction and 64KB of data cache per core (512KB total L1 per processor)
L2 Cache Sizes 512KB of data cache per core (2MB total L2 per processor for X4s, 1.5MB total L2 per processor for X3s)
Memory Controller Type Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller
Memory Controller Speed Up to 2.0GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management
Types of Memory Supported Support for unregistered DIMMs up to PC2 8500 (DDR 2 1066MHz) and PC3 (DDR3 1333MHz)
HyperTransport 3.0 Link: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)
Total Processor Bandwidth Up to 33.1GB/s total bandwidth
Packaging Socket AM3 938-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA)
Process Technology 45nm DSL SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology
Approximate Transistor count 758 million
Approximate Die Size 258mm²
Max Ambient Case Temp - X4 CPUs 71° C
Max Ambient Case Temp - X3 CPUs 73° C
Max TDP 95W
COMMENTS
Multitasking
What's the chance of Windows multitasking properly on a quad core processor when it can't even do it properly on a single core!! Come to that, it can't even multitask properly on my dual core machine.
If I copy 20Meg files I want windows not to lock-up, is that really too much to ask?
LOL
All the AMD fanboys out there, that just like backing the underdogs, despite knowing deep down they are buying inferior product.
Bit like people buying XBox, not because it's actually any good, but because they don't want Playstation to win again due to better product, better games and a better long-term strategy.
FLAWED REVIEW
What the hell? Where are the real world tests?
How well do they run Crysis etc?
Plus those graphs are difficult to read, there are three different tests being shown in the same graph, all bunched together with no seperator. Plus there are different devices being shown with the same colour FFS!
Plus what we are seeing at the moment with memory bandwidth is similar to what happened at the beginning of the shift to DDR2. DDR running at 500+MHz with tight timings totally kicked the arse of any DDR2 on the market. Gradually DDR2 got better, lower latencies and it took over the speed crown.
Same thing will happen with DDR3 - but the beauty of the AM3 / AM2+ scenario is that I can pop an AM3 CPU in my existing board with DDR2, and in a year or so when DDR3 is cheaper and faster I can upgrade without having to buy a new CPU.
i7
It looks like even with DDR3 AMD can't touch an i7 for main memory bandwidth. Which may not mean all that much for most people. Maybe AMD should have a promo t-shirt: "AMD programmers do it with more math".
@ Mark
Ha ha ha ha, righttttt.....
If it wasn't for AMD, Intel would charge what they bloody well like. Sure Intel are on top at the moment (and have been for a while) but it wasn't that long ago when Intel were being thrashed by AMD.
Looks like I'll be sticking a Phenom II in my AM2+ board (£60 well spent if you ask me).
Rob
P.S. Yes I do also have a Core 2 Duo notebook, Pentium Dual Core desktop and I recently installed a Xeon server as it was quicker buck for buck than the Phenom X4 I was considering.
