The mainstream CPU market is awfully crowded these days, a full line-up of model numbers from AMD and a further full line-up of confusing model numbers from Intel.  Is the C2D E8600 better than a C2Q 8200, what about an i7920, is a 920 better or worse than a X4955?  Is it about frequency, cores, memory channels or controllers, DDR2 or DDR3??? #$%^&*()_#$%^&* WHICH CPU SHOULD I BUY?

This blog hopes to help answer that question.

At AMD we have tried to make things very simple – we started with graphics and moved that model numbering system into CPUs. The bigger the number, the more performance you will get! Simple. Clean. Easy.

On June 2, 2009 we launched the newest addition to our mainstream CPU line-up, the AMD Phenom^TM II X2 550 Black Edition and the AMD Athlon^TM II X2 250 processors.

The press release reads as such:

“AMD Athlon^TM II processor delivers new native dual-core architecture, efficient 45nm technology and 3 GHz performance at an affordable price –
AMD Phenom^TM II X2 Black Edition processor combines value and unlocked potential for gamers and tuners on a budget”

Very well stated I must say!  This sums up the benefit of each processor and now I will endeavor to take it one step further.

When a shiny new toy, like a quad core CPU, enters the market people tend to mentally move on and forget about past products, like the once dominant dual core. Historically, enthusiasts are the first to clamor for the latest and greatest, often regardless of cost.  But let’s keep this ‘bleeding edge’ in perspective, currently only a small proportion of shipping CPU’s are quad core, the rest are made up of triple-, dual- and single-core processors. Usage and computing continue to evolve to take advantage of multicore processors but dual core processors still have a big piece of the pie.

Let’s bring this all back to the two little gems we launched on June 2.  The AMD Phenom^TM II X2 550 Black Edition is the single fastest dual-core client CPU we have ever engineered and brought to market. Incredibly, you can buy it at Newegg today for only $102.00 with free shipping.

That is just short of astounding! And this processor is built off the same die as the acclaimed AMD Phenom^TM II quad-core processors.

The AMD Athlon^TM II X2 250 is another product we launched on June 2, 2009 in Taipei; it’s simply an incredible little performance monster.  Currently priced at $87.00 on Newegg with free shipping, this processor is born from its own die, meaning its half the size of its sibling mentioned above and does not share the same wafer.

How does that impact you, the consumer? Lower cost, lower power consumption.

This processor has a maximum design spec of 65W; average daily use can often fall well below even that..

Both processors feature the AM3 socket, which means they’re compatible with AM3 motherboards using DDR3 memory, OR they can be dropped into an AM2+ motherboard with DDR2 memory (which can further help reduce your overall system price).

Which one should you buy?

Well, here is my quick swag at generalizing which processor I think you should buy:

Like with any recommendation, take it with a grain of salt, it all comes down to your budget and expected longevity of your system.

It’s always tough for a corporate spinner like me to write about our own products.  I try not to prop AMD products unless I have used them or I am extremely passionate and knowledgeable about them, in this case, I am all three: A user of an AMD Phenom II X4 550 processor in my system at home, absolutely passionate about the tremendous value these parts offer a consumer and a bit of an expert as I was part of the product management team who helped birth these products to see the light of day on our roadmaps.

It’s confusing to know what to purchase, I can honestly say, I don’t think you can go wrong with choosing either of these processors.  But as always in my blogs, please, don’t take my word for it, check out what the reviewers have been saying:

“With the Athlon II X2 250 and the Phenom II X2 550 AMD has released two very competitive dual-core parts. They both perform and overclock well and are easily competitive with Intel’s Pentium E6300…I’ve really got no complaints here. AMD has done very well in both the pricing and execution of its first 45nm dual-core products.”

- Anand Shimpi, AnandTech

“Zipping along at 3.0GHz, the Athlon II X2 250 will take its place as the fastest Athlon processor in AMD’s lineup. Other vitals include a 45nm manufacturing processor, 65W TDP, and an AM3 package allowing it to support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. Perhaps best of all, the new chip is being priced at a budget-friendly $87.”

- Paul Lilly, Maximum PC

Lost Circuit’s Michael Schuette on the AMD Athlon II X2 250, “Overall, well done, AMD, this little gem might be poised to capture even more market share.”

“If you are looking for great performing processors at an even greater price, you would be a fool not to consider the Phenom II X2 550 BE or the Athlon II X2 250. Their price to performance ratio is unmatched, and will not leave you hanging.”

- Alan Matson, Overclockers Club

Cheers!

Ian “Cabrtosr” McNaughton

Ian McNaughton is senior manager of advanced marketing at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.

Have you ever wondered just how much performance you can get from your current PC? Or, how much do you need to spend on a CPU vs. GPU? Or, do large containers of Liquid Nitrogen spewing vapour make your neighbours nervous?

At AMD HQ in Austin, TX in November we invited some of the top press in the world to preview our newest DT CPU, AMD Phenom™ II processor in a “Dragon Platform Technology Techday Event”. Here are the ingredients to a fantastic overclocking event:

• Lots of Tier 1 press from all over the world -- Check
• Cool Surroundings -- Check
• Lots of hardware -- Check
• Design engineers -- Check
• Massive containers of Liquid Nitrogen -- hehe -- Check
• Food, Food, Food -- Check
• A few pairs of welding mitts and safely glasses -- Check, Check, Check

And with this you have the makings of an overclocking smorgasbord!

Patrick Moorhead (AMD Veep of cool stuff) setting the stage before we unleashed our AMD Phenom II Processor overclocked to 6+GHz

Most gamers are satisfied with their stock CPU frequency, but there is the occasion, if just for pride or ego, a gamer wants to strut their stuff and showoff the headroom of their PC. At AMD we are no different; we wanted to showcase to the WW press the massive overclockability of our new Phenom II CPU.

Some of the most interesting conversations are had when a company allows their top talent engineers to converse directly with tech journalists, no marketing, no spinning, no positioning, just honest answers to questions and some crazy idea generation let me assure you!

left to right: Sanjiv Lakenpaul (AMD Senior Platform Engineer), ME, John Bruno (AMD Engineering Roadmap Strategist), Jeremy Laird (Tech Radar), Tarinder Sandhu (Hexus)

We were discussing the demo behind me - our competitor’s 3.2G i7 processor vs. our 3.0G AMD Phenom II processor playing CRYSIS and how a balanced platform is the right choice. Just considering CPU performance in a CPU centric synthetic benchmark is no longer relevant. A gamer has to consider their chipset, CPU and GPU as a holistic platform, in a lot of cases, investing more in the GPU and a little less in the CPU will deliver a better gaming experience. (I smell a future video blog)

On with the show! But first our own Sami Makkinen addressed the safety concerns around the demo and laid out the exact configuration and what to expect (little did he know, they would even surpass his world champion overclocking expectations)

Sami Makkinen (AMD Professional Overclocker and creator of AMD Overdrive)

“Have CPU, will Overclock” was the motto of the day, and overclock they did! Sami and team started with just an air cooler and achieved a monstrous 4+GHz overclock booting and playing CRYSIS.

But that was just the beginning, “Please stand back folks…6GHz is no barrier”

…add the Liquid Nitrogen and the 6GHz barrier was smashed!

A little fine tuning by Sanjiv and team prior to the final attempt

And in the end, everyone was able to witness a stunning 6.2GHz overclock of the AMD Phenom II processor playing CRYSIS and a further 100MHz to 6.3GHz booting…Just amazing.

This event was so successful we decided to take it on the road, we asked Sami to invite two of the world’s top overclockers to the US to personally take the AMD Phenom II processor through its overclocking paces and the result was awesome.

See the whole event …well worth experiencing!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X__HTuQ1CA

…or watch it on Mogulus

We then took it even another quantum leap forward and participated in an overclocking event in Las Vegas going HEAD TO HEAD vs. INTEL, yes, INTEL! I won’t ruin the fairytale ending, but watch this video to see AMD Phenom II Processor break records and establish itself as THE KING OF OVERCLOCKERS!! If that wasn’t enough to quench your thirst for Phenom overclocking madness, AMD traveled to Finland to break even more records.

Moral of the story: invest in your PC wisely, don’t be fooled by the “$1000 CPU hype”, in most cases a good sub $300 CPU coupled with a ATI Radeon™ HD 4800 series gfx card is all any gamer needs to achieve the best gaming experience, and when the few times to need to “drag race your friends” or “show off to the new, cute neighbourhood girl” you can use AMD Overdrive and overclock your AMD Phenom II to processor massive frequencies, all with a few clicks and a wise purchase decision.

Cheers!

Ian “Cabrtosr” McNaughton

Ian McNaughton is senior manager of advanced marketing at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied. ]]> http://blogs.amd.com/play/2009/02/25/hitting-the-overclocking-stratosphere-in-austin/feed/ 0