AMD Phenom-II X4-965 BE HDZ965FBK4DGM

In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the newly re-vamped AMD Phenom-II X4-965 BE desktop processor. For all intent and purpose, the AMD Phenom-II X4-965 Black Edition processor has not changed. The model number is now HDZ965FBK4DGM, and the total TDP is down from 140W to 125W. The X4-965 CPU still honors the AM3 socket, and uses a 45nm process to construct the 258mm² die. GlobalFoundries FAB1 has added C1E implementation on the hardware level, and DDR3 is now supported at 1333MHz for 'Heavy' loads. Ultimately though, the 3.4GHz is still the same overclocking beast it always has been, and performance is relatively unchanged.

To some degree, there really isn't much more to be said about the new X4-965 HDZ965FBK4DGM-model processor. AMD, like any good company worth their reputation, updates their product line whenever possible. Benchmark Reviews, like any good hardware website, seeks to discover the value locked away inside this product. But the AMD Phenom-II X4-965 BE processor is really a true dichotomy: it offers unlocked overclocking potential, while at the same time improves energy efficiency and conserves electricity. So which will it be?

That's the real question, and in more ways than one. Although the AMD X4-965 is priced a few dollars less than the Intel Core i5-750, these two processors have very different clock speeds. The more-expensive i5-750 operates at 2.66GHz, while the less-expensive Black Edition 965 operates at 3.4GHz. Quite the conundrum, considering that a real apples-to-apples comparison would involve the 3.33GHz Intel Core i7-975 Extreme Edition CPU... to the tune of $999.99. In reality, the Core i5-750 makes a better comparison product, since five brand new Black Edition 965's cost the same as only one Intel Core i7-975.

Back in April (2009), Benchmark Reviews covered the release of AMD's flagship quad-core processor, the Phenom-II X4 955 BE. The X4 955 was an outstanding product, and ushered in the era of the Phenom-II process. A few months later in August, AMD revealed the X4-965 Black Edition processor (model HDZ965FBGIBOX). With the publication of this article (November), AMD refreshes their Phenom-II X4-965 BE flagship processor just in time to compete against Intel's recently launched Core i5 series. Coming in at 3.4GHz the AMD X4-965 happens to be the highest clocked CPU on the market, but is it the best at its price point?

Aside from some small fabrication refinements and the inclusion of hardware-level C1E implementation, the 3.4GHz Phenom-II X4-965 isn't much different than its 140W counterpart. You can also expect the same architectural benefits, including socket AM2/AM2+/AM3 compatibility, 8MB total cache (L2 and L3), and a 128-bit DDR2-DDR3 memory controller. Of course, the Intel Core i5-750 Processor BX80605I5750 isn't designed to run in the face of competition.

About Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (AMD)

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is an innovative technology company dedicated to collaborating with customers and partners to ignite the next generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home, and play.

Over the course of AMD's three decades in business, silicon and software have become the steel and plastic of the worldwide digital economy. Technology companies have become global pacesetters, making technical advances at a prodigious rate - always driving the industry to deliver more and more, faster and faster.

However, "technology for technology's sake" is not the way we do business at AMD. Our history is marked by a commitment to innovation that's truly useful for customers - putting the real needs of people ahead of technical one-upmanship. AMD founder Jerry Sanders has always maintained that "customers should come first, at every stage of a company's activities."

We believe our company history bears that out.

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