AMD unveils new version of Phenom II processor

By siliconindia   |   Thursday, 13 August 2009, 21:03 IST   |    2 Comments
Printer Print Email Email
AMD unveils new version of Phenom II processor
Bangalore: AMD, the global chip maker has launched the latest version of its Phenom II processor, the 3.4-GHz Phenom II X4 965. The best part of this new processor is that it comes with the same price tag as its predecessor the 3.2-GHz Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition processor. AMD claims that the latest processor is the fastest ever CPU that it has brought to the market, of course beating the 955 edition. There are several identical aspects - other than the price of $245 - between the two top-of-the-line AMD chips. The two CPUs are compatible with both DDR2 and DDR3 memory types, have the same amounts of cache (8MB) and the same unlocked multiplier (16x) that can lead to considerable overclocks, among the other similar attributes. According to PC World, AMD has enhanced the new CPU's Thermal Design Power (TDP) to 140 watts to make it compatible on an AM2+ system. Test systems have been able to push the new processor up to 4.6 GHz by using third-party air cooling; AMD itself claims that the chip can go further, on average, than the 955-edition. For the general user, however, the actual benefits delivered by the extra 0.2 GHz - a six percent increase in CPU frequency - over the 955-edition processor's speed will remain almost indiscernible. The latest addition to AMD's range of processors comes after rumors started about the launch of Intel's Core i5 range on September 6. The Intel Core i5 750 is a quad-core processor with clock speed of 2.66GHz and 8MB L3 cache. This Core i5 750 CPU will support DDR3 1333/1066 memory and TDP rating of 95 watts. The Core i5 750 processors are expected to be sold for $196 per CPU, which suggests that there is more Intel-AMD action waiting to happen in the chip market.

siliconindia