AMD's next-generation desktop processors look promising
Can AMD Phenom IIs starting in the first quarter of next year be worthy opponents of Intel Core 2s?
AMD on November 13 has launched its server processors, codenamed Shanghai, about to begin the transition to more advanced manufacturing technology. However, the Deneb-core Phenom IIs for desktops still have to wait: the 3,0 GHz 940 and 2,8GHz 920 will open on January 8, we knew. from HKEPC Hardware. Six new Phenom IIs arrive in February, of which 4 are quad-core and 2 are three-core, and the first 45-nanometer dual-core will begin their conquest in June.
The Phenom II X125 4 and Phenom II X940 4 with 920 W TDP can be bundled into a Socket AM2 + socket, which means they can only be associated with DDR2 (1066 MHz) modules. The AM3's memory controller can handle DDR3s (1333 MHz), but they can also be inserted into Socket AM2 + cards, but then we have to pair them with DDR2s.
Meanwhile, various information has come to light about the performance of the AMD Phenom II X4 940, which, although relying on unofficial data, is still worth mentioning for a few sentences.
The set of graphs described by Expreview compares the aforementioned quad-core processor with its direct rivals, the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Core 2 Quad Q9400, all in% terms, the 3DMark06 test program, Lost Planet, Quake 4 and Unreal Tournament game software. Of course, this kind of comparison should be treated with caution, in any case it is perfect for raising awareness, it increases expectations and can even serve as a basis for discussions.
In connection with newcomers, we can rightly ask us how much a tuning-friendly central unit delights us with the given manufacturer. The multiplier-free AMD Phenom II X4 940, which will certainly be marketed under the Black Edition pseudonym, performs very well in this area, as the following CPU-Z screenshot demonstrates that the 3 GHz clock has been upgraded to 5920 MHz - true, this already required liquid nitrogen.
However, the slide published by IT168 provides even more information about the 940 OC's propensity: with air cooling, we can squeeze up to 1 gigahertz plus out of the CPU, but above that we have to use a fluid-based solution.
