AMD is launching a new series of affordable quad-core processors today under the Athlon II brand name. Based on the 'Propus' architecture and built using a 45nm design process, the new series is intended to help AMD secure the low-end portion of the market, as Intel's Core i5 750 and LGA1156 platform have clearly made life difficult for them on the mainstream front.This is essentially the same Deneb architecture that is used by the Phenom II X4 series, except for the L3 cache which has been removed from the Athlon II X4 parts. With models ranging from 2.20GHz through to 2.9GHz on the horizon, AMD has decided to unleash the Athlon II X4 620 first, clocked at 2.6GHz and expected to retail for just $100.
The amazingly low price tag puts this chip in a category of its own, as there are currently no quad-core parts competing here. In our review, we will put AMD's budget quad-core processor to the test next to comparable offerings like the Phenom II X2 550 and the older (yet still well-regarded) Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600.
View: AMD Athlon II X4 620 Processor ReviewThese articles are brought to you in partnership with TechSpot
I do think it's not wise for AMD to cut performance for any of their CPUs; they need all the speed they can get.
I do think it's not wise for AMD to cut performance for any of their CPUs; they need all the speed they can get.
You obviously don't understand what they are trying to do.
Currently AMD is cornering a market for budget systems. They're releasing cheap but efficient products, especially a product that can be overclocked heavily like this one.
Athlon II X4 620 can be overclocked to 3.9 GHz using air cooling. As pointed out in the review on Tweaktown.
Not to mention the L3 Cache can be unlocked
Last edited by Liam Wolf on 16 Sep 2009 - 08:46
I do think it's not wise for AMD to cut performance for any of their CPUs; they need all the speed they can get.
You obviously don't understand what they are trying to do.
Whatever
Last edited by RAID 0 on 16 Sep 2009 - 16:47
with no effects on stability or maximum overclock?
i mean amd's fastest processor is the phenom 965 and an i5 probably beats it out
L3 Cache is unlockable
L3 Cache is unlockable
Oh that's even better news. I just flashed my M3A78-T with a new BIOS that enables unleashing mode so I'll be able to unlock the L3 cache on the X4 620
i5's are like $200-250. Well worth it.
They are. But that's not the point. "Overall we are impressed with the level of value that the new Athlon II X4 620 presents budget builders with" is. The i5 costs 2x-2,5x as much and a lot of people don't need it's power.
Link or source?
Yeah, Newegg has it for $199 and Amazon and Tiger have it for $209. Don't see any for $159 although I'm sure it won't be too long until we do.
Have a look then
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_...duct_id=0317379
I'd rather get a second hand Q6600 and clock that tbh...
I'd rather get a second hand Q6600 and clock that tbh...
I hear you - but now if someone comes to me for a budget system i've got a choice for all-new cheap quad system it's amazingly good value (and overclocks like hell too) with low TDP to boot. At this end of the market it's absolutely revolutionary to me.
I'd rather get a second hand Q6600 and clock that tbh...
I hear you - but now if someone comes to me for a budget system i've got a choice for all-new cheap quad system it's amazingly good value (and overclocks like hell too) with low TDP to boot. At this end of the market it's absolutely revolutionary to me.
Okey, you've got me convinced
Intel wouldn't be where they are at now if it weren't for AMD.
QFT!
Intel and Amd have a long story together.
In any case is good to have options.
Couple of years ago Intel was trying to stay revelant with the Pentium D.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2736&p=9
Competition is good. Only fanboys don't want it.
Last edited by warwagon on 16 Sep 2009 - 14:14
Anyone looking for an upgrade from their C2D would def go in for this.
This is an amazing cpu for only $99 . For people on a budget this could sell tons.
The performance you get by paying additional 100 is minimal.
Besides servers and databases, pretty much anything to do with multimedia. Although this is going to change once all these apps become GPU-accelerated with CUDA, OpenCL, etc.
...And that's why I like AMD. I can make a computer for cheep!
I'd def consider the AMD way whenever I upgrade my PC next. This is really an amazing option to exploit.
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