AMD Introduces New Phenom Flagship Processor
Sunnyvale (CA) - AMD is kicking off the critical third quarter of 2008 with three new quad-core processors - two low-power models and a new high-end version for enthusiast PCs. The company maintains its mainstream pricing strategy and sells its new flagship for just few dollars more than what Intel charges for its entry-level quad-core CPU.
Just in time for the arrival of the graphics division’s new graphics cards, AMD is updating its Phenom X4 processor line. The Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition is the new top-of-the-line model with a clock speed of 2.6 GHz. The processor is rated at a power consumption of 125 watts, which is one level with the Phenom 9850 (2.5 GHz) and the Phenom 9750 (2.4 GHz). As other black Edition processors, the new 9950 comes with AMD’s OverDrive performance tuning utility.
AMD lists the 9950 with a tray-price of $235, which is the same amount the company charges for the 9850 model. Compared to Intel, the 9950 slots in right between the aging Core 2 Quad Q6600 ($224) and Q6700 ($266).
On the low-power side, AMD is now offering the 65 watt Phenom X4 9350e (2.0 GHz) and Phenom X4 9150e (1.8 GHz) processors for $195 and $175, respectively.
It is interesting to note that AMD is launching these new processors not only at a time when the ATI Radeon 4800 series of graphics cards is making its way to consumers, but also the most critical time for AMD during this year: The third quarter is the time for which AMD CEO Hector Ruiz promised to return to profitability. Successful product launches, a strong back-to-school season and improved margins will be important for AMD to achieve this goal. At the current cost level, it is generally estimated that the company will have to reach at least $1.8 billion in revenue get into the black.
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Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.
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bloodymaze COME ON AMD! WILL YOU PLEASE MAKE SOME HIGH PERFORMANCE PROCESSORS!!!!!!! --- JEEZ knock intel down on $. HELP THE PEOPLE!!! Lol.... more money in development, less in production perhaps?Reply -
xx12amanxx If it can OC to 3 ghz easy you got my buy!Reply
Way to go AMD at least your moving forward! -
terror112 I just want to see AMD pull another revolution in processor technology. That's what they always have needed. They always lost the Die-shrink race with Intel. Instead of just relying on die-shrinks they should do what they did before, innovation. The on-die memory controller, Hyper transport, 64bit, dual core, hell they have really done great things and I hope they would be able to pull something off that hasn't been done before. I believe It would be possible for AMD to infuse The flexibility of the x86 processor with the raw processing power of the GPU. I know they are already trying to do that, but they are only putting the GPU onto the same die as the CPU, which is pretty much what integrated graphics is doing. Could it be possible that they could design a processor that has processing capabilities relative to a GPU, but still complies with the X86 standard? or even make a new standard?Reply
,Nico
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DweeB0 I thought everyone was crying that the TDP was going to be 140.Reply
Now it's 125? That's pretty cool.
I can't wait, in a few months this will be my birthday present. :) -
one-shot If it can oc to 3.0 it should be a good thing, especially with the SB750 on boards. Too bad I just built my Intel system in March. The aged AMD cpu had to go.Reply -
tagasur http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/AMD_Phenom_X4_9350e_and_9950_BE_Debut/?page=2Reply
yes it can go stably up to 3.1 GHz. benchmarks and other info at that link. come on tom's, why are we a little slow on AMD/ATI? -
tagasur http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/AMD_Phenom_X4_9350e_and_9950_BE_Debut/?page=2Reply
yes, it is stable up to 3.1GHz. benchmarks are on there too. -
hannibal tagasurhttp://www.hothardware.com/Article ut/?page=2yes, it is stable up to 3.1GHz. benchmarks are on there too.Reply
Not so bad! It's still behind Core2Duo, but it is definitely closing the gap! And if you want to support CPU competition, or you just like AMD as an company, it seems that you can not go wrong with this new CPU. It's fast enough for most things.
Just hope that they can get their high-metal gate technolygy to work so that they can compete with Nehalems too...
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JaguarOne 3.6 have also been reached... http://oktabit.foracamp.gr/content/review-amd-phenom-x4-9950-%CE%B1%CE%B3%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%BE%CE%B1%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CF%84%CE%B1-3570mhzReply