Phenom expected shortly ...

[NyteOwl]

There's been some broad speculation that AMD will formally launch Phenom next week.

Whether true or not, the Phenom line-up is apparently out because Directron.com is taking preorders for three versions. All use AM2+ socket

Phenom X4 9700 - 2.4-GHz quad-core, 4MB cache, power rating of 125W.
Directron is posting it at a price of $335.

Phenom X4 9600 - 2.3-GHz clock, 4MB cache, 95W.
Priced at $322.

Phenom X4 9500 - A 2.2-GHz clock, 4MB cache, 95W.
Priced at $286.

Going to be interesting. Now where are the AM2+ motherboards ...

[beoba]

I guess this means AMD dropped the old "model numbers are equivalent to Intel clock rates" system that they had back with Athlon XPs?

Ex: Athlon XP 2100+ is 1.7ghz, but theoretically benchmarks similar to a P4 2.1 ghz.

In any case, neat news. Planning on a new machine next year (havent upgraded since aforementioned 2100+..), and figured I'd see how Phenom and Penryn compare.

Here are some prices which another forum found, probably the per-1000 rates?: http://forums.legitreviews.com/about12403.html

[Mariner]

If I remember correctly, the model numbers AMD used were "equivalent to Athlon" at the given speeds, not equivalent to Intel chip speeds.

[gentonix]

Going to be interesting. Now where are the AM2+ motherboards ...

Some boards have been selling for a while
http://geizhals.at/deutschland/?cat=mbamd2p

[beoba]

If I remember correctly, the model numbers AMD used were "equivalent to Athlon" at the given speeds, not equivalent to Intel chip speeds.

Yeah. Whoops.

[NyteOwl]

Some boards have been selling for a while
http://geizhals.at/deutschland/?cat=mbamd2p

Well I can't speak to the Gigabyte to MSI boards as I don't usually peruse their sites but those models weren't on the Asus site last I looked but I see they are there now. The Gigabyte GA-MA790FX-DQ6 looks interesting though for aesthetics I'd have to give the prize to the MSI K9A2 Platinum. And a TPM header too - interesting idea.

Unfortunately I have the same disappointment with Phenom as with Barcelona - the initial low speeds relative to the dual-core processors. Hopefully this will ramp up rapidly.

[Tzupy]

Launch performance is dissapointing, check this review:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sh ... spx?i=3153
The 2.4 GHz Phenom is delayed due to a hardware bug:
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/ ... hz-due-tlb
I hope new revisions of the chip, running at higher frequencies, will come soon.
If I'll upgrade my E6600 to an Intel quad-core I'll feel even more guilty towards AMD.

[ryboto]

if only the power draw was lower on these new chips, I'd be less annoyed. The only thing that stops me from going intel is the lack of 45nm low end parts at the moment, and I'm sure a simple motherboard is going to be costly. Plus this Overdrive utility has spiked my interest...guess I'll just save my money. Quite annoying indeed.

[Erssa]

Launch performance is dissapointing, check this review:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sh ... spx?i=3153
The 2.4 GHz Phenom is delayed due to a hardware bug:
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/ ... hz-due-tlb
I hope new revisions of the chip, running at higher frequencies, will come soon.
If I'll upgrade my E6600 to an Intel quad-core I'll feel even more guilty towards AMD.

I feel guilty for buying AMD shares earlier this year. Gamble didn't pay off and future for AMD looks bleak.

[smilingcrow]

Some of the power consumption data is farcical as it’s comparing an Intel system with an 8800 GTX versus an AMD system with a HD 3850 Crossfire setup! See PC (lack of) Perspective.

Most of the Intel systems in the comparisons are using DDR3 as well which is a waste of time as who’s buying DDR3 at the moment!

Phenom’s idle power consumption was the biggest disappointment for me. I wasn’t expecting much from it in other departments but I was hoping it would be the winner in this area. Roll on the next stepping I say and then 45nm ASAP.

[smilingcrow]

The Techreport review doesn’t show Phenom in a good light with regards power consumption especially at load and that’s just in comparison with the Q6600. When compared with a 45nm Intel Quad it just gets embarrassing; a 3GHz Penryn at full load matched a Phenom 2.3GHz at idle with Cool n Quiet disabled!