AMD announced today its highest performance quad core processor to date. The
new CPU is called the AMD Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition. Along with the new
Black Edition processor AMD also unveiled the Phenom X4 9350e and Phenom X4
9150e processors.
The high-end Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition is a quad-core processor with an
unlocked multiplier running stock at 2.6GHz. The 9950 Black Edition carries a
retail price of $235 (~RM750) and consumes no more than 140 watts.
The AMD
Phenom X4 9350e runs at 2.0GHz and will retail for $195 (~RM600). The new AMD X4 9150e
processor runs at 1.8 GHz and will retail for $175 (~RM530). Both of these
CPUs consume no more than 65 watts of power under full load according to
AMD.
AMD says that these three processors are perfect for systems that delivering
the performance of four computing cores to small systems where power demands
and heat buildup could be an issue. It remains to be seen how the Phenom X4
9950 Black Edition stacks up against high-end parts from Intel performance wise,
however, price for the parts is certainly competitive.
All three of the processors have L1 cache size of 64K per core, L2 cache
size is 512KB per core and L3 cache is 2MB shared. The processors AM2+ compatible
like the other Phenom parts and all three new processors are built on 65nm
process.
Gamers looking for a moderately price gaming system could pair the new 9950
Black Edition with the recently announced AMD
Radeon 4850.
