After a longer than anticipated delay the new Phenom processors saw the public light last November, but unfortunately for AMD not even then things got back to plan. Put in simple terms, instead of getting a full pack of competitive products, we only got two moderately clocked Phenom processors (9500 and 9600) that are characterized for offering quad-core processing on a budget rather than outpacing competing Intel Core 2s.
As part of the Phenom launch, AMD also unveiled a new platform (used by the ASUS M3A32-MVP we are testing today) built around the AMD 790FX chipset and the semi-new socket AM2+. This new platform still uses DDR2 memory but adds HyperTransport 3.0 support and split power lanes (which benefits power savings). The socket AM2+ is backwards compatible with Athlon X2s and Semprons, so it can serve as a middle platform if you can't upgrade CPU and motherboard all at once.
View: ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe motherboard review @ TechSpot
As part of the Phenom launch, AMD also unveiled a new platform (used by the ASUS M3A32-MVP we are testing today) built around the AMD 790FX chipset and the semi-new socket AM2+. This new platform still uses DDR2 memory but adds HyperTransport 3.0 support and split power lanes (which benefits power savings). The socket AM2+ is backwards compatible with Athlon X2s and Semprons, so it can serve as a middle platform if you can't upgrade CPU and motherboard all at once.
View: ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe motherboard review @ TechSpot
AMD is going to be feeling some pain in 2008. You haven't seen the worst of it yet. When Intel unleashes its 45nm chips, Phenoms are going to look like Celerons. They're already beaten by some dual-core C2Ds in many benchmarks.
I wish AMD could have done better, Intel is going to turn back to its evil ways again without competition. So maybe those 45nm chips won't be as inexpensive as people expected. The next gen stuff will likely be pushed back into 2009 as well. Not really bad for us, since even Core 2 Duos are barely being utilized by games so far. Too much upgrading lately, the software needs to catch up.
The Phenom 9600 2.3Ghz is approx £160 in the UK, The Intel Q6600 2.4Ghz is approx £150 in the UK, and the Q6600 beats the pants off the phenom by a large margin.
Phenom 9500 (2.2 GHz): $189.99
Phenom 9600 (2.3 GHz): $239.99
Q6600 (2.4 GHz): $274.99
You do the math...
Phenom 9500 (2.2 GHz): $189.99
Phenom 9600 (2.3 GHz): $239.99
Q6600 (2.4 GHz): $274.99
You do the math...
In Israel the Phenom 9600 costs 10usd more than the Q6600 and on top of that Intel is highly respected company with big operations in this country, so the higher prices of the phenom anywhere in the world except the US are still no in favour of AMD.
Phenom 9500 (2.2 GHz): $189.99
Phenom 9600 (2.3 GHz): $239.99
Q6600 (2.4 GHz): $274.99
You do the math...
In New Zealand ( using pricespy as an example)
Phenom 9500 (2.2 GHz): $325.55NZD or $247.48USD differance to what you pay in U.S =$57.49USD
Phenom 9600 (2.3 GHz): $436.50NZD or $331.83USD differance to what you pay in U.S =$91.84USD
Intel Q6600 (2.4 GHz): $386.35NZD or $293.70USD differance to what you pay in U.S =$18.71USD
You do the Math....
Show me some good DDR3 780i boards already. Come on ASUS, I know you can do it.
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