AMD Phenom II processor gets outed, might even be released
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted December 8th 2008 2:21PM
posted December 8th 2008 2:21PM
Apparently, AMD has officially announced the release of its Phenom II processor -- though if they did, they forgot to actually, you know, announce it. According to EE Times, the quad-core, 45nm chip is said to support DDR2 and DDR 3 memory (the latter up to 1333MHz) and is available at both 3GHz and 2.8GHz speeds (for $275 and $235, respectively). If that's not exciting enough, a 65nm (DDR2) version of the chip is also availabe. The article winds up by saying that the chips are expected to appear in systems on display at the upcoming CES. Sound good? Now all we need is an actual, official announcement. Like, from the chip maker itself. We're looking at you, AMD. Call us. You have the number.
[Via Register Hardware]
Update: So, what do you know? It looks like the EE Times link is down without any sort of explanation. We're not exactly sure what to make of this, but we'll keep you posted regardless. And no, AMD hasn't called either.
[Via Register Hardware]
Update: So, what do you know? It looks like the EE Times link is down without any sort of explanation. We're not exactly sure what to make of this, but we'll keep you posted regardless. And no, AMD hasn't called either.
DAMN IT!!!!
I just built my new rig with a q6600!!, I should have waited...
I wonder how a 3ghz Q6600 does against the 3ghz one of these, fight AMD, fight!
You should've waited for the Core i7 processors to get cheaper.
Angus when you get a 3.0Ghz Q6600 let me know.
I wouldn't be so pissed, not pissed at all. What you have might be just as fast or even faster with overclocking. The Q6600 is a marvel of overclockablity. Just get better air cooling or liquid cooling. I'd wait to upgrade to Core i7.
How's do these OC versus intel's Q series?
Ring ring OneLove
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=449565
Angus, it still says Q6600 2.4ghz (ahem, overclocked to 3.0). My point was you didn't buy it at 3.0ghz.
He never said that he bought it at 3GHz.
Thats whats wonderful about this chip, you can overclock it even if your a noob at it!
"I should have waited" is the cry all PC builders (who have no money) share.
that's the way things go with pc's. at some point you just have to bite the bullet and buy.
@Angus: This was an AMD, liquid nitrogen overclock, but they said it wasn't cherrypicked, and, well, can you say 6GHZ? Supposedly you can hit 4GHZ on air easily.
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10801&Itemid=35
I just bought an Asus P6T Deluxe with Core i7 920 and it's ridiculously fast. I replaced an e6600 core2duo that I clocked at 3.7gHz (maxed at 3.9gHz) in an EVGA 780i motherboard. The i7 at stock clock speed feels faster than the e6600 at max overclock. It's insane. Seriously.
I got lucky and used the Microsoft Cashback to score 30% off the i7 system but, if Phenom II lives up to their previews, you might see a better price/performance ratio with AMD. ...and that's always great for us as the consumer cause Intel will stop dropping their price when they feel threatened.
I'm anxious to see the benchmarks on the Phenom II...
i wonder if i will be able to swap out my phenom 9500 and put one of these bad boys in the same motherboard.
No they had to build a new socket so they could get DDR3 support. Socket AM3 I think. Only 1333Mhz please tell me no and they will support up to 1800Mhz. I was going to build i7, but it is just too expensive I think I will be going AMD.
I remember in an earlier post about the phenom 2s there will be a socket change necessary for you to use on of those delicious processors..... I have a 9500 series too and I was alittle sad......
If you have an AM2+ motherboard you will be able to whack any of the new Phenoms in there (AM2+ 65nm and the AM3 45nm versions)
It is likely that you won't be able to take advantage of DDR3 though. You will only need a new AM3 motherboard if you want DDR3 :D
So yeah you will be able to use it :D
I'm pretty sure if you stick with DDR2 you'll be fine, or at least I'm pretty sure it works in AM2+ boards.
Does this mean that AMD is going to be actual competition for Intel again?
Don't mean to be a troll or anything, I seriously want to know.
It is possible with the 45nm parts and if they can truly offer the overclocking they claim we could see some real competition for the i7.
Phenom II is supposed to be (15%?) faster clock for clock than the first Phenoms.. And the 45nms will be overclockable nicely.. Still going to be behind Core i7, but at least you have a choice between cheaper (DDR2/HyperTransport2) Motherboards, which you don't with Core i7...
there a lot of 'if's to consider but maybe IF they play their cards right
Hopefully. It would be great a great option that costs a few times cheaper that the i7's.
could be good for the money. 3.0GHz Phenom II is same price or cheaper than the 2.66GHz i7.
I've been waiting for a decent competitor to the C2D line, and if those prices are correct, I will be getting the Phenom II early next year.
w00t!
Can't wait to get me a Phenom II in the next year :D
Its the first time in freakin' ages that AMD have actually got something out on time, let alone early! Give em praise for that Engadget, not your usual smarmy comments :P
well they're not exactly apple to be praised by engadget
ya this would be pretty good bank for your buck since i doubt that intel is going to lower their prices very soon on the core i7 products
Lets get this straight. The 920 and 940 chips fit in AM2+ boards and AM3 they will be available next month. All other X4 chips will be AM3 and the will be available from March onwards. AM3 sockets will be available from march onwards with a new platform (dragon) with the 8 Series chipset launching 09. Regor 45 NM X2 chip are to be launched at June. Kuma 65NM X2 will launch soon. Heka X3 cores will launch in February but will be AM3.
This will probably change in the next couple of weeks.
I pretty sure there are no 65 NM phenom II as suggested in the article.
"65nm (DDR2) version of the chip is also availabe" Yes "availabe"
RTFA
Obviously I did read it or I wouldn't have said what I said would I Dumbass.
No, you're right, there's no such thing as a 65nm Phenom II. This is a very inaccurately written article.
can't wait to see the benchmarks! If these things can compete, I may be able to skip the Intel phase altogether... (I'm still running an OC'd Opteron 170 in my main rig :)
Finally, and about time...
Don't you guys just love competition, those i7 prices are nothing short of extortion; fingers acrossed AMD, PLEASE don't screw up.
Also worth pointing out that 45 NM chips have been overclocking to 4.4 GHZ at stable on air.
Someone has even been playing crisis at 6.2 GHZ using either water or liquid nitrogen near stable condition.
I bet it was a big crisis for his electricity bill overclocking that much..
Relevant link: http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10801&Itemid=35
That someone was AMD, so take it with a small grain of salt, but they wouldn't cherry pick a result like that if it was going to get proved wrong right away when things got into the hands of reviewers.
omg I would love to get one of these to 4.2 on air so I can shove it in my housemates face. he currently has an intel q9750 @3.75 and I'm stuck with my phenom 9750 @2.9
Availabe?
I'll wait until the specs appear. I'm in the market for a new desktop or three, and if these are powerful _and_ sip power, I'll be on them like flies on poo. Otherwise, it's Dell's quad-core deals that I'll be hitting.
mmmm AMD Phenom II with DDR3 1666Mhz RAM.
I want that in a sandwich.
nom nom nom!
The unofficial launch is Wednesday 2pm GMT, AMD are sponsoring a webcast demonstration of the Dragon
See: http://oktabit.foracamp.gr/files/invite_webcast_logo.jpg
Too bad the article doesn't mention wattage. I'm guessing we are looking at 100+ watts for a quad-core.
Meanwhile, since I hate my pc heating up the room during the summer, I'll be picking up a 45 watt Athlon X2.
You can get a 22watt athlon X2 in a couple of months
Wait a min... I have a Phenom 8400 X3 (love it...)
but these new Phenom II sound so delicious, I'm not the best at deciphering motherboards, but people are saying so long as I keep my DDR2 Ram (I have 8, i'm not buying any new ones any time soon) I can pop a new Phenom II into my AM2+ socket?
that would be the best of news, because short of a new graphics card this is the only thing I want for my desktop!
Well I would definetly get the latest BIOS update for your motherboard before you pop it in. But yes these should work in AM2+ just without DDR3 support.
Grrr... So... I can't choose a side... AMD or INTEL.