The X3 and X4 Phenom range
AMD's ever-growing range of Phenom processors, now in tri-core X3 and quad-core X4 flavours, is available as detailed in the table below. Please be aware that all prices listed are inclusive of VAT and are taken from Scan.co.uk as of 22/04/08.
| Processors | Cores | Clock speed | L2 cache (total) | L3 cache | Memory-controller speed | Voltage | TDP | etailer pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition | 4 | 2.5GHz | 2MiB | 2MiB | 2.0GHz | 1.2-1.3V | 125W | £150 |
| AMD Phenom X4 9750 | 4 | 2.4GHz | 2MiB | 2MiB | 1.8GHz | 1.2-1.3V | 125W | £137 |
| AMD Phenom X4 9650* | 4 | 2.3GHz | 2MiB | 2MiB | 1.8GHz | 1.2-1.3V | 95W | £135? |
| AMD Phenom X4 9550 | 4 | 2.2GHz | 2MiB | 2MiB | 1.8GHz | 1.2V | 95W | £123 |
| AMD Phenom X3 8750 | 3 |
2.4GHz |
1.5MiB |
2MiB |
1.8GHz |
1.05V-1.2V |
95W |
£128 |
| AMD Phenom X3 8650 | 3 |
2.3GHz |
1.5MiB |
2MiB |
1.8GHz |
1.05V-1.2V |
95W |
£113 |
| AMD Phenom X3 8450 | 3 |
2.1GHz |
1.5MiB |
2MiB |
1.8GHz |
1.05V-1.2V |
95W |
£99 |
* Not yet available at retail, pricing is an estimate
Some, like HEXUS, might argue that the Phenom X3 processors aren't priced competitively enough when compared to their quad-core siblings. As the table above shows, the 2.4GHz tri-core chip is only a mere £12 cheaper than its 2.4GHz quad-core counterpart.
The pricing, one could argue, doesn't make a whole lot of sense. In theory, tri-core performance should be approximately 70 per cent of an equivalently-clocked quad-core model. The pricing should reflect that, but sadly, doesn't. The listed prices may be foul of launch-day premiums, but AMD needs to shift prices down quickly in order to compete with Intel, who recently slashed prices of its own processors.
AMD Phenom X3 8750 specification
The specification of the Phenom X3 processors, as provided by AMD, is as detailed in the table below. As you'd expect, the tri-core model is a near mirror-image of AMD's quad-core Phenom X4s, only, with one less core.
| L1 Cache Size: | 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (512KB total L1 per processor) |
|---|---|
| L2 Cache Size: | 512KB of L2 data cache per core (1.5MB total L2 per processor) |
| L3 Cache Size: | 2MB (shared) |
| Memory Controller Type: | Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller |
| Memory Controller Speed: | Up to 1.8GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management |
| Types of Memory Supported: | Support for unregistered DIMMs up to PC2 8500 (DDR2-1066MHz) |
| HyperTransport 3.0: | One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 3.6GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2) |
| Total Processor Bandwidth: | Up to 31.5 GB/s bandwidth |
| Packaging: | Socket AM2+ 940-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA) |
| Fab location: | AMD's Fab 36 wafer fabrication facilities in Dresden, Germany |
| Process Technology: | 65-nanometer DSL SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology |
| Approximate Transistor count: | 450 million (65nm) |
| Approximate Die Size: | 285 mm2 (65nm) |
| Max Ambient Case Temp: | 70o Celsius |
| Nominal Voltage: | 1.05-1.25 Volts |
| Max TDP: | 95 Watts |
AMD's Phenom X3 8750 has the onerous task of competing with Intel's 45nm 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo E8200, currently priced at £114. Will it face up to the challenge and warrant its price point? Let's find out.[advert]
