AMD Phenom II X4 940 BE Review - Page 12

Value

The AMD price list includes the Phenom II X4 920 at $235 and the 940 at little higher at $275. These are distributor prices, but we expect street prices to be very close - and in fact, many retailers are currently selling Phenom II chips at this level. This is a bit higher than the Phenom X4, which AMD has listed at the following levels: Phenom X4 9650 ($154), 9750 ($154), 9850 ($174), and 9950 ($174). Obviously, the Phenom II X4 deserves a price premium compared to the older models, and competes directly against the Core 2 Quad Q9300 ($250) and Q9400 ($270), as well as the Core i7 920 ($285) on the upper edge.

AMD also has platform pricing squarely in its corner, and there are many affordable motherboards for AM2+ processors. The Phenom II's reliance on DDR2 memory may not produce record-breaking bandwidth scores, but it does allow some insane deals, as DDR2 prices are depressed and vendors are almost giving it away. By using DDR2 memory, it's also easier and more affordable to make the move to a 4GB, 6GB or 8GB configuration and use a 64-bit operating system. The Core i7-920 processor may seem competitively priced, but once you take into consideration the X58 motherboard and triple-channel DDR3 costs, AMD is the clear value winner.

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

Conclusion

The Phenom II X4 is really what AMD should have released as the first wave of Phenom processors. It offers enhanced performance and higher overclocks, and at 45nm, it also provides class-leading power consumption numbers. The Phenom II X4 is definitely a faster, more refined version of the Phenom X4 and it does better good job of competing with the Intel Core 2 dual and quad core processors. AMD's only problem is that the Core i7 is the new kid on the Intel block, and remains the top desktop performer.

Pros:

• Lower Power Usage
• Greater Overclocking Headroom
• Improved Media Encoding
• Better Gaming Scores
• Backwards Compatible with AM2

Cons:

• Limited to DDR2 Memory
• 1.8 GHz HT
• Not a Core i7 Killer

Ratings: