AMD Phenom X3 8750 Review - Page 11

Value

Retail pricing is one of the most intriguing parts of the Phenom X3 release. AMD 1KU prices run from $145 for the 2.1 GHz Phenom X3 8450 up to $195 for the 2.4 GHz Phenom X3 8750 reviewed here. These are attractive price levels, and are squarely targeted at the Intel Core 2 Duo processors. Sure, the Phenom X4 quads are already priced low, but the higher thermal and power requirements negate their use in certain areas.

The $145-$195 price range doesn't even get you close to a Core 2 Quad, as the lowest priced model is the 2.4 GHz Core 2 Quad Q6600 at $225. The Phenom X3 8450 ($145) and X3 8650 ($165) will have an easier time against the Core 2 Duo, as it will compete against lower-clocked, stripped down C2D versions, while the Phenom X3 8750 is pushing $200 and will come up against the more powerful Core 2 Duo E6XXX and E8XXX series. At these prices, the Phenom X3 definitely has the potential to give out a "three cores for the price of two" kind of vibe, but we do wish that 2.5 and 2.6 GHz clock speeds were available.

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

Conclusion

The implications of the Phenom X3 8750 launch are very clear, and AMD is providing a "better than dual core" solution to compete directly against Intel's Core 2 Duo. This should also ring the dinner bell for systems using the low-cost AMD 780G chipset and its Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics. The Phenom X3 operates at lower thermal and power specifications than a quad core X4, making it a perfect match for the 780G and an attractive upgrade option for current AM2 owners. Budget minded gamers will like the 2.4 GHz clock speed, but at the end of the day, the Phenom X3 has done nothing to change Intel's stranglehold at the high-end.

Pros:

• Better-than Dual Core Multithreading
• Lower-than Quad Core Power and Thermal Requirements
• Good Overclocking
• Updated B3 Core
• Entry-level Pricing

Cons:

• Lackluster Gaming Performance
• 65nm
• 2.4 GHz Max Clock

Ratings: