Athlon 64 FX-55 & 4000+ Processor Review - Page 11

Benchmark Analysis

Our benchmark analysis should really be separated based on the two processors we reviewed. These CPUs follow two different strategies, with the Athlon 64 FX-55 providing an old-school core speed increase, while the Athlon 64 4000+ is more a repositioning of existing technology. The high octane Athlon 64 FX-55 should be music to the enthusiast's ears, and is the new power in the desktop market. The Athlon 64 FX-53 did show a performance advantage over the Pentium 4-3.4 GHz Extreme Edition, but it was not a resounding victory. Not so this time and there should be no doubt that the Athlon 64 FX-55 is the fastest CPU in the desktop class.

The Athlon 64 4000+ takes a different angle on performance, and instead of simply increasing the clock speed to 2.6 GHz and maintaining the 512K L2 core, it essentially re-uses the Athlon 64 FX-53 design. The 2.4 GHz Athlon 64 4000+ does live up to its AMD model number most of the time, but in others, the 2.4 GHz Athlon 64 3800+ comes close to matching it. How the Athlon 64 4000+ stacks up is entirely dependant on the application or game used, as some will make use of the larger 1-MB L2 cache, while others rely more on core speed. Thankfully, the majority of game benchmarks do conform to the Athlon 64 4000+ rating, so for that end of the performance spectrum, the new AMD model number is on target.

Another important consideration is how core speed affects the Athlon 64 processors, and how this differs from the Pentium 4. The Athlon 64's integrated memory controller runs at the same speed as the core frequency, thereby allowing higher clock speeds to pay dividends in terms of memory bandwidth. On the other hand, maintaining clock speeds while upgrading model numbering does not just impact processing, but memory performance as well. This whole "model number" scenario was supposed to clear up potential comparisons, but in some ways, AMD is inviting criticism by continuing to produce higher model numbers at equivalent clock speeds.

Value

When it comes to ultra high-end hardware, value is a relative term, and likely one of the last factors a prospective buyer weighs. The Athlon 64 FX-55 and 4000+ definitely qualify on the high-end scale, and AMD has these priced accordingly, at $827 and $726 accordingly. Current street prices are a bit higher, with the Athlon 64 FX-55 checking in at the $860-$890 range, and the Athlon 64 4000+ showing a similar markup, and priced between $760 and $790. The Athlon 64 FX-55 pricing is understandable, since it is the highest-end AMD desktop processor and deserves a premium, but the Athlon 64 4000+ is simply priced too high. That's because the Athlon 64 FX-53 is available at less than $700, and these are effectively the same processor. In the long run, we expect the Athlon 64 4000+ to drop in price, but for now, the Athlon 64 FX-53 is the better value.

* Please note that these prices were taken at the time of review and are not meant to reflect long-term trends.

Conclusion

The Athlon 64 FX-55 is a serious product release that is geared specifically for the hardcore enthusiast, and while buyers will take a hit in the wallet, they will also be rewarded with the fastest desktop processor, bar none. No more debate about the performance of the Athlon 64 FX vs. the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition; this puppy puts that argument to rest. The Athlon 64 4000+ is a bit harder to categorize, as while we like the Athlon 64 FX-level power in the Athlon 64 line, this repositioning of the existing 2.4 GHz Athlon 64 FX-53 might be a bit confusing. Given the 4000+ model number and an initially high price compared to both the Athlon 64 FX-53 and Athlon 64 3800+, the Athlon 64 4000+ is one processor that may take awhile to find its niche.

Athlon 64 FX-55 Ratings:

Pros:

• Fastest Desktop CPU
• 2.6 GHz Clock and Memory Controller Speeds
• 1-MB of L2 Cache

Cons:

• Expensive

Ratings:

Athlon 64 4000+ Ratings:

Pros:

• Athlon 64 FX-level Performance
• Integrated Memory Controller
• 1-MB L2 Cache

Cons:

• Priced Higher than Athlon 64 FX-53
• Same 2.4 GHz clock as Athlon 64 3800+

Ratings: