AMD Phenom FX CPU Expected in 2009

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By Steve Seguin, AMD Phenom FX Expected in 2009
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Looking to put pressure on Intel once again in the high-end market, sources say AMD plans on releasing the AMD Phenom FX in mid-2009 on its new AM3 socket platform. AMD previously acknowledged that AM3 processors will work in AM2 sockets but not the reverse.

AMD is attempting to bring back their FX-line of processors in mid-2009 according to documents Tom’s Hardware saw. Although little is known about the specifications of these processors, we do know they will be based on the Deneb FX core, feature four processing engines, have shared level-three cache and be based on a 45 nm manufacturing process.

The FX-branding used by AMD in the past had represented products of unmatched performance for enthusiasts who were willing to spend a hefty premium to have the extra performance. The Athlon FX line-up was the last to use processors with the FX-branding and were in production from 2003 to 2006. The Athlon FX processors featured unlocked multipliers and offered the highest clockings of the AMD processors available.

With the great success of Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors in 2006, AMD lost the performance crown it once had held and was forced to focus on mid and entry-level offerings instead, ending production of the Althon FX. AMD continued to offer processors that featured unlocked processors with its Black Edition line-up of Athlon and Phenom processors, which were offered at a fair price for those looking for an overclockable processor and still loyal to AMD. Much the same as AMD’s FX processors, Intel’s Extreme Edition processors offer high clock rates and unlocked multipliers, with similarly high prices.

If history serves us well, these upcoming FX processors will likely carry the name AMD Phenom FX, carry with them a steep price and offer clock-speeds higher than their future mainstream brethren. Future AMD processors produced using 45nm process technology are expected to reach 3.0GHz in speed, possibly putting the AMD Phenom FX processors at over 3GHz.

As of now, the Deneb FX processor is the only "FX" label planned for 2009.

Steve Seguin
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44 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jj463rd
    If AMD doen't match Intel's Core i7's performance then they shouldn't charge high prices for the Phenom FX processor.It would be a bad move and AMD will sell very few of them.If a 3 Ghz Phenom FX has slightly less performance than a $300 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i7 the price should match it's performance in other words it should be around the $250 price range.
    Reply
  • Kari
    maybe they hope to have chips that'll be competitive on the performance side as well. Otherwise the usage of the FX suffix wouldn't really make any sense... well we'll see
    Reply
  • cal8949
    jj463rdIf AMD doen't match Intel's Core i7's performance then they shouldn't charge high prices for the Phenom FX processor.It would be a bad move and AMD will sell very few of them.If a 3 Ghz Phenom FX has slightly less performance than a $300 2.66 Ghz Intel Core i7 the price should match it's performance in other words it should be around the $250 price range.
    well thats a good point but if this processor is made off of denab and if denab can oc well. the fx processor will be a hit with its unlocked multiplier. but still i think the processor should be under 350 if it is just as good as core i7
    Reply
  • mackintire
    Part of the rumor states that the Phenom FX chips will over clock between 4.0-4.4Ghz on iar while using the HT3 interconnect. If that is true then AMD could charge a premium for these chips. Keep in mind that cherry picked 65nm Phenom's from early last year could run 3.0Ghz on air with no issues. So although it sounds far fetched, there could be some truth to the rumors.
    Reply
  • mackintire
    I forgot to mention that most of the current Phenom Processors can easily clock to 3.2-3.4Ghz on the 790 chipset. Without exotic cooling.
    Reply
  • onearmedscissorb
    Engineering samples of the Denebs only overclock to about 3.6 GHz so far, at least from what I have seen. That will probably change slightly by the time they're actually for sale, but let's be realistic here. They are still the same architecture that hasn't fared too well against Core 2. Their tri-cores aren't even as good as lower end dual-core Core 2s. This isn't going to compete with Core i7, overclocked or not. Considering how long it's going to be until they come out now, I'll be surprised if it even matches 45nm Core 2s, as those have already matured at this point, and will have over a full year lead by that time.

    It's probably just high binned chips with a different socket type for a new dual CPU socket desktop board. To my knowledge, that's what the Phenom FX line was intended to be to begin with, before it was delayed.
    Reply
  • zenmaster
    AMD has watered down the term "Black Edition" so much with chips that did not really offer anything more than non "BE" chips since their stock speeds were close to max. As a result the "Unlock" did not help much.

    Now it will be up to AMD to put some actual oomph behind this "FX" chip.
    If not, it will just be another meaningless moniker like "BE" has.

    Reply
  • godmode
    mid 09!? common, i was hoping for Q4 08. so much waiting......
    Reply
  • Pei-chen
    Ha, by summer next year I'll be building my i7 computer that's will be 30 faster per clock and has a 30% higher overclock speed. That's 90% faster for a few bucks more.
    Reply
  • gto127
    The denebs are already close to 10% faster clock per clock than previous phenom with the extra cache. If AMD puts even more level 2& 3 cache for the FX version they might give Intel a run for their money.
    Reply