AMD Releases Six New Processors

AMD certainly isn’t sleeping on their laurels while enthusiasts eagerly await Bulldozer’s arrival. Today they are releasing several new processors that span from their Athlon II line all the way up to a brand new Thuban. Continuing on their stated focus of “choice, compatibility and the most compute-per-dollar for desktop PCs”, they have not just released these new CPUs, but have recently dropped the prices on their existing line of desktop CPUs.

There are six new processors in all: three new Phenom IIs – the x6 1075T, the x4 970 Black Edition, and the x2 560 Black Edition and three Athlon IIs – the x4 645, the x3 450 and the x2 265. Let’s have a walk through them and check out their specifications.

Phenom II X6 1075T:

AMD’s third hex-core CPU to market, this one drops right in the middle of the entry-level x6 1055T and its bigger brother with an unlocked multipler, the x6 1090T Black Edition. Sporting a 15x stock multiplier, the 1075T starts life at 3.0GHz stock (3.5GHz with Turbo). It is not a Black Edition, meaning you’re stuck with a 15x multiplier maximum, but that’s a healthy starting point for some (hopefully) serious overclocking. At $245, the price fits well between the two other Thubans ($197.99 for the 1055T and $290.99 for the 1090T).

AMD points out a fact not lost on a lot of overclockers and enthusiasts in general – that “those who need the processing bandwidth and multi-tasking capability of a true 6-core now have 3 choices from AMD, all under $300.” That’s pointed squarely at you Intel. You’ve got hex cores, and they may be impressive – but they’re also three times the price.

We released a review of this chip at the same time as this news post; so if you’re reading this first, head on over there to check it out when you’re done!

Model Number & Core Frequency: X6 1075T / 3.5GHz (Turbo) / 3.0GHz (Base)
OPN: HDT75TFBK6DGR
L1 Cache Sizes: 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (768KB total L1 per processor)
L2 Cache Sizes: 512KB of L2 data cache per core (3MB total L2 per processor)
L3 Cache Size: 6MB (shared)
Total Cache (L2+L3): 9MB
Memory Controller Type: Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller *
Types of Memory Supported: Unregistered DIMMs up to PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066MHz) -AND- PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333MHz)
HyperTransport 3.0 Specification: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)
Packaging: Socket AM3 938-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA)
Max TDP: 125 Watts
AMD Codename: “Thuban”
*Note: configurable for dual 64-bit channels for simultaneous read/writes

Expected retail price: $245

Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition:

This is the strongest quad core from AMD to date. They just keep upping that frequency. Hopefully the yields will translate that into higher overclocked frequencies too!

If you want to save a few, bucks, AMD says “the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition will continue to live on next to 975 BE, both unlocked.” Don’t get your hopes up for unlocking any cores on this one though as “this is still a native 4-core “Deneb” die.”

Model Number & Core Frequency: X4 970 / 3.5GHz
OPN: HDZ970FBK4DGM
L1 Cache Sizes: 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (512KB total L1 per processor)
L2 Cache Sizes: 512KB of L2 data cache per core (2MB total L2 per processor)
L3 Cache Size: 6MB (shared)
Total Cache (L2+L3): 8MB
Memory Controller Type: Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller *
Types of Memory Supported: Unregistered DIMMs up to PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066MHz) -AND- PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333MHz)
HyperTransport 3.0 Specification: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)
Packaging: Socket AM3 938-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA)
Max TDP: 125 Watts
AMD Codename: “Deneb”
*Note: configurable for dual 64-bit channels for simultaneous read/writes

Expected retail price: $185

Phenom II X2 560 Black Edition:

This processor is for the folks that just love to tinker with their hardware. Like the 555BE before it (which will also continue to live, as the 965BE will), there are semi-decent odds that you can unlock these things from two to four cores. At $105 though, even if you can’t get two extra cores out of your purchase, it’s still a solid investment. Of course, AMD does stress that we shouldn’t forget that unlocking, overclocking, running out of spec and other untoward manipulating of the processor does void your warranty and results from such ventures are most definitely not guaranteed.

Oh, and did I mention we got one of these to review too?

Model Number & Core Frequency: X2 560 / 3.3GHz
OPN: HDZ560WFK2DGM
L1 Cache Sizes: 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (256KB total L1 per processor)
L2 Cache Sizes: 512KB of L2 data cache per core (1MB total L2 per processor)
L3 Cache Size: 6MB (shared)
Total Cache (L2+L3): 7MB
Memory Controller Type: Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller *
Types of Memory Supported: Unregistered DIMMs up to PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066MHz) -AND- PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333MHz)
HyperTransport 3.0 Specification: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)
Packaging: Socket AM3 938-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA)
Max TDP: 80 Watts
AMD Codename: “Calisto”
*Note: configurable for dual 64-bit channels for simultaneous read/writes

Expected retail price: $105

New Athlon II processors:

Straight from the horse’s mouth (that’s AMD for those of you not paying attention): “With the introduction of the X645 you’ll see yet another speed bump at the old familiar ~$119 price. Now the $99 quad-core from AMD is a full 3GHz (X4 640). The recent price move and introduction of the 450 and 265 means more speed for your dollar on X3 and X2 as well. Athlon II X3 is a great alternative to the competition’s dual-cores, and our 65W dual-cores deliver a fantastic value.”

The one we’ll post detailed specs here for is the new big dog in the Athlon II line – the x4 645. It replaces -at a mere $3.00 more- the older x640 outlined here and reviewed here with the ASUS Crosshair IV Formula. Overclockers editor splat also had a go at it with the Biostar TA890FXE. As strong as that little CPU was for the price, its replacement will surely do well starting with an extra 100MHz at stock.

AMD Athlon II™ X4 645 Processor:

Model Number & Core Frequency: X4 645 / 3.1GHz
OPN: ADX645WFK42GM
L1 Cache Sizes: 64K of L1 instruction and 64K of L1 data cache per core (512KB total L1 per processor)
L2 Cache Sizes: 512KB of L2 data cache per core (2MB total L2 per processor)
Memory Controller Type: Integrated 128-bit wide memory controller *
Types of Memory Supported: Unregistered DIMMs up to PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066MHz) -AND- PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333MHz)
HyperTransport 3.0 Specification: One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)
Packaging: Socket AM3 938-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA)
Max TDP: 95 Watts
AMD Codename: “Propus”
*Note: configurable for dual 64-bit channels for simultaneous read/writes

Expected retail price: $122

Other new Athlon II offerings include the AMD Athlon II™ X3 450 (3.2GHz stock), and the x2 265 (clocking in at 3.3GHz).

There you have it folks. Six new processors from the self-proclaimed price-per-dollar kings. Don’t forget to check out how one of them them stands up to some heavy testing in my review of the Phenom II x6 1075T

–Jeremy Vaughan (hokiealumnus)