AMD's Athlon II X3 435 & New Energy Efficient CPUs: Killing Intel Below $90
by Anand Lal Shimpi on October 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Final Words
We'll start with the good news first. The Athlon II X3 435, priced at $87, is a better buy than any of the similarly priced Intel dual-core processors. In heavily threaded applications it's even faster than the more expensive Core 2 Duo E7500. Compared to Intel, the X3 435 is a clear value leader.
The problem is compared to AMD, the Athlon II X3 435 isn't that impressive. The Athlon II X4 620 is faster in nearly every multithreaded benchmark, and it's only costs $12 more. It's only in games and other lightly threaded applications where the 435's higher default clock speed makes up for its lack of a fourth core.
The Athlon II X3 435 is about $15 more expensive than it should be to make sense in AMD's lineup. It's a great step between the dual and quad-core options, but if you need the performance you're probably better off with the 620.
You do get better overclocking potential (thanks to lower thermal output of only three cores), but bring overclocking into the mix and you can narrow the clock speed gap with an overclocked 620.
Compared to Intel, I like the Athlon II X3 435. Compared to AMD, I'd take a quad-core 620.
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maddoctor - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Yes, Intel Core I5 is the best choice. No sophisticated AMD products, and it will never be. Don't buy AMD rubbish products.Ezz777 - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Not quite what i was getting at - but thanks for your input...I guess my question isn't really Athlon II X3 related but more 'concepts in PC building' so apologies for going OT.
If anyone does want to respond - my question is along the lines of if we assume linearity in the CPU and GPU markets, is there a ratio on how much you should spend on each to get a balanced gaming PC?
fsdetained - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - link
That's a horrible way to go about buying parts as you'll just screw yourself in the end.I would only buy an athlon II for entry level gaming. It would do ok with more demanding games but the games are starting to catch up with current tech finally. Phenom II or I5/I7 would be for the more serious gamers.
maddoctor - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Hey, AMD could not make any processor approriately like Intel. Even AMD will not make any processor soon because AMD will bankrupt. AMD is whining too much and must be punished. Intel products are better than any AMD products.RadnorHarkonnen - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Can somebody ban this one, it is getting really disrupting.Beyond just behing plain dumb, somebody tell this tool chipmakers aren't football teams. Not that is very bright to discuss like this about football teams.
Gary Key - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Done...RubberJohnny - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
The next few months will be very interesting for AMD, soon they will have the i3 to compete with in this market so pricing will become very important and Nvidia (possibly) about to put some heat on them in the graphics department...hang in there little fella!rippley007 - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
The huge problem with this is STREET prices of CURRENT Intel cpu's.Less than 7 days ago, in a STORE mind you, i just purchased a q9550 CPU. for $169.. Quad core 2.83 ghz, 12mb cache, looks/acts/IS a much better price /performance, AT $169.. That is hard to beat
maddoctor - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link
Look, this is the facts that Intel is much better in price/performance ratio.fsdetained - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - link
It had to be a return, open box, or a going out of business sale because even newegg has it listed for $269 and they pretty much always whoop store's prices. No way he got it by normal means at that price.For $179.99 you can get an AMD Phenom IIx4 955 Black Edition which is about on par performance wise as a q9550. That's $90 you're saving for the same performance.