Phenom II X4 940 Review is in!

[Riccochet]

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTYwNywxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

BLEH! SPIT! WIPE! PLEASE....get the bad taste out of my mouth after reading that.

AMD should be ashamed of itself. What a piece of crap they just released...and that's their HIGHEST end chip. Garbage!

Anyone thinking about buying an AMD rig, think again. Or, better yet, give me the money you would've spent and I'll kick you in the nuts. At least then you'll be getting something for your money.

[SleepyLab]

First off - I know that AMD has absolutely no product that can compete with the high end Intel Chips... They aslo don't have any CPUS that cost more than are selling for more than $320.00 some of intels are selling for $1,800.00.

However:

This review compares the AMD PII940 (US$300.00) against the Core 2 QX9770 (US$1,500) and the I7 965 ($1,000)...

It explains, in the article, that they knew this was an unfair comparison (considering prices) when they began the benchmark - but that consumers can buy cheaper Intels and overclock them to get better performances...wtf? Why didn';t they compare the overclocked CPUs then? OR point out that you have a good chance of FRYING that Intel CPU if you try and overclock them without proper cooling (more $$$) and experience.

I have AMD Phenom PCs and Intel Duo 2 and I7 rigs... and when you compare - dollar for dollar - Intel currently has a SLIGHT advantage.

If you have the $$$ Intel Extreme or I7 is the way to go...

If, however, you have an AM2+ mobo - and want to upgrade - this is a good deal - the article even admits to that.

Just my opinion.

[Riccochet]

OK....read on.

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Enter-The-Dragon-AMD-Phenom-II-X4-940/?page=1

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-phenom-ii-x4-920-and-940-review-test/1

I could go on....most of the tests show the Phenom II 940 almost on par with the Q9400/9450. I guess that's OK...to some people. From a "new and shiney" standpoint...it's garbage. Price/Performace....it's...mediocre, at best....I'd rather have the Q9450 or 9550 over the Phenom II 940.

I'll still be getting dual Xeon's over the phenom setup. It just makes more sense for what I'll be doing with the rig. Video conversion. I like fast, and the Phenom II can't compete with the Intel's in that aspect.

For pure gaming...the Phenom II at 3.8Ghz+ is a decent performer....just don't expect to do anything else at blazing speeds.

[SleepyLab]

I was agreeing with you: Intels are better for gaming (now).

I was just pointing out that the comparison in the review you quoted was not a fair comparison. it was like a comparison between a Honda Civic to a Chevy Corvette or Ford GT - sure , its slower - but its 1/4 the price too.

Nobody - even AMD - is suggesting that the PII940 can compete (performance-wise) with ANY high-end Intel Chip.

If you have an AM2+ motherboard (and thousands do) this is a pretty decent value for an upgrade.

In my opinion.

[Riccochet]

I suppose. The problem being is that most mainstream AM2+ boards can't handle the power requirements of the new phenoms. So for most people simply dropping in the new chip isn't an option. I think we'll see prices on these Phenom's drop considerably over the next couple months. Currently they are at $235 & $275. Come April I bet we'll see them at $200 and $250. That woud put them in the Q8300/Q9400 range, where they compete.

Even then, the i5's will be released in a couple months. Intel is expected to make a substantial price cut at that time as well. Driving the Q6600 to ~$150, Q9400 ~$200, Q9550 ~$250.

I'm hoping AMD has a rabbit in their hat when they release the AM3 parts to their line-up. Afterall, it's competition that drives innovation. Most people are tired of rebadged die shrinks.

[C4Interceptor]

AMD ftw? :confused:

I still dont see where the cons are. ITS CHEAP AND SOMEWHAT FAST lol!!!!!!!

[Riccochet]

AMD ftw? :confused:

I still dont see where the cons are. ITS CHEAP AND SOMEWHAT FAST lol!!!!!!!

The cons are its performance. It's coming into the game almost 2 years behind intel. It's direct intel competition has superior performance in applications, gaming, memory bandwidth. And after Intel cuts prices it'll be more expensive. That and not all AM2+ motherboards can use it. Mainstream boards like the Asus M2N-SLI and those variants are not able to use it. So even for most AM2+ users simply buying the CPU is not an option, making it a not so cost effective upgrade.

Even overclocking these Phenom 2's shows very little in performance increases due to it's lack of memory bandwidth.

Meh. I guess for that with motherboards capable of powering the chip it's a decent upgrade. But I wouldn't waste my money on a new Phenom 2 system.

[GerbilUSA]

Still I wouldn't pay 1000$ + for a good intel CPU. My athlon X2 is doing fine gaming wise.

[Nayth]

Still I wouldn't pay 1000$ + for a good intel CPU. My athlon X2 is doing fine gaming wise.

Basically, some people just have to have the newest/most expensive/shiniest new thing to hit the market ;)

[Riccochet]

Still I wouldn't pay 1000$ + for a good intel CPU. My athlon X2 is doing fine gaming wise.

You don't have to pay $1000+ for a good intel CPU. The Q9550 is slightly more than $300, OC's close to 4Ghz and beats the Phenom 2 940(their top chip) in performance.

Even the new Intel i7 920 at $280(under $250 with discounts) makes the Phenom 2 940 look like a Duron from 10 years ago. Granted X58 motherboards and DDR3 are still expensive, but give it a couple more months and we'll see those prices come down significantly.

Serisouly though. If anyone has an aging AMD X2 system with a motherboard capable of running the Phenom 2 it's a worthy upgrade. And cheap!

[GerbilUSA]

You don't have to pay $1000+ for a good intel CPU. The Q9550 is slightly more than $300, OC's close to 4Ghz and beats the Phenom 2 940(their top chip) in performance.

Even the new Intel i7 920 at $280(under $250 with discounts) makes the Phenom 2 940 look like a Duron from 10 years ago. Granted X58 motherboards and DDR3 are still expensive, but give it a couple more months and we'll see those prices come down significantly.

Serisouly though. If anyone has an aging AMD X2 system with a motherboard capable of running the Phenom 2 it's a worthy upgrade. And cheap!

300$ still is alot when you can get one that can play COD4 at 90 fps for 80$

[Riccochet]

This just in! Intel SLASHING PRICES! Come Sunday you'll be able to nab a Q9650 for $317!! Q9550 $268.

Oh yes, AMD's ship finally came in ..... the FAIL boat!

el'reado:

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5232/img0025000nt7.gif

[LockeCPM4]

I was just reading some benchmarks in regards to the Phenom II procs and surprisingly, even though the i7's beat out the Phenom II in almost all tests, gameing benchmarks show that they run neck and neck as far as FPS is concerned. Interesting...

[LockeCPM4]

Here is a comparrison where the Phenom II is a bit overclocked.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-phenom-ii,2119-8.html

[Riccochet]

Here is a comparrison where the Phenom II is a bit overclocked.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-phenom-ii,2119-8.html

I do agree the Phenom II is a decent gamer. It's just everything else that it's dog slow at. Personally I do a lot, A LOT, of video conversion. Mostly hi-def 1080p BD rips. Takes hours apon hours. In every review I've seen the even the Q9550 destroys the Phenom II. The i7 makes it look like a Geo Metro compared to a Ferrari. The QPI just doesn't have the bandwidth. Memory bandwidth is also where it chokes. The Q6600 matches it.

And now with the Intel price cuts it makes the Phenom II look even less appealing. But, like I said, if you have an AM2+ board that can take a Phenom II by all means it's a worthy upgrade. I just wouldn't build a new system around it. Bang for the buck isn't there.

[GerbilUSA]

Damn you intel, stop lowering your prices after I build my computer.

[Riccochet]

LOL....I remember buying a Q6600 for $280 a while back, just to have it drop to $200 the very next day. Talk about disappointment. LOL

[Riccochet]

Well, I have a Phenom II 940 in hand. Got it for free from my brother. Seeing what I can do for a decent motherboard now.

FYI: Breaking out my mouse pot for this proc. As soon as I get a mobo I'm ordering 5lbs of dry ice and a gallon of acetone for some suicide benches. Hopefully I can hit at least 5.5Ghz. I've seen the proc hit 6.7Ghz on LN2. Hmm....wonder if I can get some liquid helium from a local supplier. -270c would be interesting. :)

[LockeCPM4]

Well, I have a Phenom II 940 in hand. Got it for free from my brother. Seeing what I can do for a decent motherboard now.

FYI: Breaking out my mouse pot for this proc. As soon as I get a mobo I'm ordering 5lbs of dry ice and a gallon of acetone for some suicide benches. Hopefully I can hit at least 5.5Ghz. I've seen the proc hit 6.7Ghz on LN2. Hmm....wonder if I can get some liquid helium from a local supplier. -270c would be interesting. :)

lol

[Riccochet]

lol

Hey, for free I don't care about blowing some silcon up in the name of benches. :)

[papa_celms]

does anyone realize this but me lol but intel OWNS the cpu and integrated graphics market for the most part. They have unlimited fund and AMD not so much lol. They also spent substantiol time working on makeing true duel and quad core CPUs vs intels stack it up approach.

[Riccochet]

does anyone realize this but me lol but intel OWNS the cpu and integrated graphics market for the most part. They have unlimited fund and AMD not so much lol. They also spent substantiol time working on makeing true duel and quad core CPUs vs intels stack it up approach.

All 45nm Intel quads are native quad designs. Only the original 65nm quads like the Q6/700, QX6800 were double duals. The i7 is a beast that deserves a ****ing crown.

But, I'm stoked to release some genie smoke out of this Phenom II. :) My wife was seriously PO'd at me a few years back when I salvaged about 40 prescott P4's and sat in my office OC'ing each one to 7Ghz with no heatsink. Needless to say they exploded in about 2-4 seconds after powered on. LOL stunk up the house something fierce, so she says. I smelled success! :D

[papa_celms]

haha lol ya its surprising how fast they go poof with no heat sink ive watched a few P3s go up lol

[LockeCPM4]

Wouldn't all those fumes be harmful in the quantities you mentioned?

lol, no wonder you are crazy!

[Riccochet]

When I use dry ice I do so in my garage with the door open and a fan going. CO2 isn't something to play with in a contained room.