We have to try and stay impartial at eTeknix when it comes to competative brands. We give a fair share to everyone and let their products do the talking and this is the key point with a couple of major brands on the market. The first is with the graphics card market, and the fight between AMD and Nvidia, and with each company, they both have their good and their bad points and we award them on their merits when we take a look at their products in our labs.

The major one however is the battle between AMD and Intel in the hope of being crowned the Processor King and for a while that crown has been held by Intel and though we don’t tend to do favoritism, Intel pretty much have the higher-end desktop market sown up with Sandy Bridge on the 1155 platform.

Whilst socket 1155 was booming and to this date still is, we saw the release of Bulldozer which was said to rival Intel, but sadly in certain aspects was a bit of a flop. The only area that it excelled in was gaming as it offered up the same performance, but for a fraction of the cost. There was however, a few consumers still running the old and trusty X58 platform with the first generation i7 processors which originally cost an arm and a leg to buy. Though they were expensive, their users seemed to stick by and branded them as the best still.

With Sandy Bridge offering a cheaper alternative, Intel decided that a refresh was needed and the idea of a new chipset and range of processors to take over the first generation i7 CPU’s and their X58 chipset was born. It was going to be called X79 and will offer the best product and best performance to date, and that’s why we’re here today. We want to find out if that is true and what the new flagship i7 3960X Extreme Edition CPU can offer over the competition.

There’s only one way to find out, but before we look at the benchmarks, we want to take a brief look at what these new range of CPUs will offer to the market.

We’ve known for a little while now, that Intel had something up their sleeves with regards to Sandybridge and now that the cat is out of the bag, we can shout out that it’s the i7 2700k. Taking over as the Sandy Bridge flagship processor is quite vital information to us as we will now be using it for all of our Sandy Bridge based tests, and we can tell you now; that’s a lot.

The i7 2700k isn’t anything too spectacular as simply put, it’s a cherry picked 2600k with 100MHz extra speed, which reminds us very much of what AMD did with the Phenom II range of processors, periodically releasing processors with 100MHz faster clock speeds, and a slight bump in price. Why Intel have decided to go down this route is anyone’s guess, but for us, we simply believe it’s to keep that firm step on bulldozer, by giving it no chance to breathe.

As said, the i7 2700k is 100MHz faster than the 2600k, meaning that it comes with a 3.5GHz core clock speed, still maintains the socket 1155 structure and much like the 2600k, has a 95Watt TDP. Also much like the 2600k, it comes with four physical cores and hyperthreading allowing for 8 threads (2 per core) opposed to the likes of Bulldozer and the FX-8150 which has 8 physical cores, though we’ve seen from first hand information of the results from this.

So it seems that Intel have simply released a processor with a multiplier of 35x instead of the 34x multiplier that the 2600k sports, and with the 2600k easily able to achieve these speeds, we can only assume that this chip is here to spoil the launch of Bulldozer, but isn’t it true that AMD did that all by themselves?

What we will be doing today is having a bit of a showdown between the AMD FX-8150 and the new Intel Sandy Bridge Flagship i7 2700k, and whilst we’re aware of which will come out on top, we’re more interested to see by how much, and that’s why we’re putting the i7 2700k through its paces.

If you’re unsure as to what Bulldozer and the FX range or processors is all about, then we suggest you take a look at our article explaining the ins and outs of it. If you are aware of what Bulldozer and the FX range is all about, we still suggest that you take a look as some vital key information is listed, including something that you may have missed. The article focusses on the complete range of processors in the line-up and clearly goes into detail about the technology that makes it up and what simply makes it tick.

On top of all of this, we also made it clear that the facts needed to be seen and whilst a lot of consumers were expecting a lot, most were let down in terms of the usual suspect of benchmarks as seen in our FX 8150 Bulldozer review. So why are we here again, revisiting something that was actually; a complete let-down? Simple, we want to show you more, and where it matters the most, well at least one aspect of it.

Simply put, their are two main aspects that people really wanted to see with Bulldozer and that is firstly how well it overclocks and secondly, how it performs in some extreme games. While we thought, showing these individually would be a fantastic look at how this compares to the equivalent flagship Intel i7 2600k processor, we were more interested in seeing how well it performs in games, whilst overclocked. We already know that the i7 2600k beats the FX-8150 hands down in general workload tests and a bit of light gaming, but its time to go no holds barred and see what they both can really do in terms of performance, and we have to also remember that the FX-8150 is a fair bit cheaper to, so just keep that in mind when comparing the two rivals.

Getting started, there isn’t much point going over the architecture again and what Bulldozer was meant to be about, and instead will see us jumping straight in to the tests to see if the FX-8150 can redeem itself in any way.

I used to be quite a big fan of AMD, when the good old Athlon Mobile processors hit the market. They seemed to offer the best bang for buck in terms of performance and overclockability and they quickly became a hit.

After this, AMD continued to offer typical desktop processors that gave nothing more, until FX came along in the style of the Athlon 64 range of CPU’s. They offered an unlocked multiplier but sadly had a price tag to match, and when news appeared that the FX brand would be entering back into the market, the community was buzzing at the dead being brought back to life. It’s been a long and highly anticipated wait, but it seems that Bulldozer is here and has been one of the most hyped up, talked about launches of the year, so I’m sure that AMD are hoping they don’t disappoint.

We’ve already looked at Bulldozer as a platform including what the FX line-up will bring to the market, but this review will focus more on the performance behind Bulldozer and how it compares against its rivals including the AMD Phenom II X6 1100T and Core i7 2600k as that’s exactly what everyone is here waiting for aren’t they?

Today sees AMD releasing a whole host of new processors with the FX branding, ranging from new quad core CPU’s, hexa core CPU’s and now the world’s first eight core desktop processor with their flagship FX-8150.

The FX-8150 is what this whole review will stem around, as we’re all enthusiasts here and want to see the best of the best being pitted against the best from market rival Intel.

It’s been in the news for the majority of this year and lots of speculation was going around about it and how it would perform, especially when compared to the Intel i5 2500k and i7 2600k and of course the existing flagship AMD Phenom II X6 1100t. We were one of the first to report on any speculated rumours and benchmarks as it came out and even saw it first hand at Gamescom, Cologne in Germany running Dirt 3 inside a glass cabinet.

AMD kept everything very close to their chest throughout but ended up doing as they usually do and merged their product range together. When we look at the AM3+ socket, it’s fantastic as it allows you to buy a motherboard based on the platform and then upgrade the processor at a later date. You get to use the same memory, and it works out being a relatively cheap upgrade, whereas Intel expect you to buy a new board, processor and sometimes even the memory depending on if you’re moving from the likes of X58 (triple channel) to Z68 (dual channel). It can all end up very messy and can sometimes even impact sales in a dramatic way.

Touching lightly on where AMD have been up till now takes us to look at the Phenom range of processors, which have seen a great amount of sales, and a good following. Shortly after we saw the slightly improved Phenom II which was welcomed with open arms as they churned out slightly faster models of the existing Deneb core. As AMD were focussing their efforts into new technologies such as Fusion, Llano and of course now Bulldozer, we saw the Phenom II get a 100MHz increase, what seemed like every month. The 955 came in at a stock 3.2GHz with the 3.4GHz 965 appearing a few months on. Shortly after this, the 970 hit the market with an extra added 100MHz and a few more dollars slapped onto the price, and as you guessed it, that was taken over by the new flagship Phenom II X4 975 which had a retail 3.6GHz and a few more notes added on.

This went on like this until the current flagship Phenom II X4; the 980 which sported a 3.7GHz clock speed and still retails for around £131.98 at Scan. Whilst this was all going on, a new kid on the block came from AMD in the form of the X6 processors, which blew the current X4 range of CPU’s out of the water. It featured similar technology as the X4′s but sported 6 physical cores, hopefully putting AMD back into the game whilst rival Intel were sitting comfortably sipping champagne at the success of the i5 2500k and i7 2600k.

Whilst AMD and Intel share a lot of similarities, especially with the Intel K series and AMD Black Edition processors both featuring unlocked multipliers, making them big hits with the enthusiast overclocking industry, AMD always seemed to fall short in terms of performance, but made up from it with the price. Just taking a quick look at both Intel and AMD flagship processors, we see the Intel i7 2600k coming in at £246.20 whilst the Phenom II X6 1100t from AMD is a lot lower priced at £149.82. Give or take, that’s £100 of hard earned cash, and to a lot of enthusiasts, can end up outweighing the performance most of the time.

Coming back to the current date, and where things are today. We find the Intel core i5 2500k and 2600k selling better than ever and taking the market by storm whilst AMD have been busy developing their latest processor, codenamed Bulldozer. Bulldozer is the range of processors that AMD are keen to show off, featuring new technology and up to 8 physical cores, whereas the likes of Intel simply use hyperthreading to gain their extra virtual cores.

The whole point of this article is to explain exactly what the Bulldozer platform is about and more importantly the FX platform, so enough of me rambling on about the past, let’s move forward and see what the present and more importantly the future holds.

Today we take a look at the Phenom II X2 560 Black Edition which is a dual core processor of which each core operates at 3.3GHz, however being a Black Edition it has an unlocked Multiplier which allows easy overclocking aimed at more the enthusiast cost concious customer.

What the Phenom II X2 Black Edition is all about:

AMD Phenom II X2 Black Edition processor combines value and unlocked potential for gamers and tuners on a budget. Users can now experience the power of AMD platform technology, codenamed “Dragon” with dual-core configurations. AMD Black Edition processors help users to take control and unleash the maximum potential of Dragon platform technology’s unprecedented performance tuning capabilities. With dual-core processors, AMD provides platform level solutions at multiple price points, each of which exceeds expectations for virtually any user.

AMD Phenom II is for high definition entertainment, gaming, creativity, and beyond. With AMD Phenom II processors as the foundation, you’ll enjoy a new level of responsiveness and visual intensity. AMD puts high definition computing within everyone’s reach. Superior technologies for HD video. Enjoy a superior high definition experience for HD videos on you PC. AMD Phenom II processor are the powerful engine behind your fidelity, high definition video entertainment experience. Only AMD puts the Ultimate Visual Experience for HD video within your reach. Enjoy entertainment beyond your media library. Get HD content online, offline, wherever you want it, however you want it. Your system can handle whatever you dish out – and serve it up on screen in full, high definition glory. Perfect chemistry. Combine AMD Phenom II processors and ATI Radeon HD graphics to really see the difference. Enjoy smooth video, brilliant videos and immersive games. AMD unleashes visual clarity and responsiveness for what you want to do.

AMD Phenom II processors have the power to do it all. Featuring next-generation quad-core design, they crush even the most demanding tasks. So design it, render it, play it, create it, stream it, HD it. With AMD Phenom II processors, if you can imagine it, you can do it.

AMD Phenom II processors were designed with energy efficiency in mind. Capitalizing on AMD’s leadership in energy efficiency, they incorporate all of the latest technology that gives you performance when you need it and save power when you don’t. Look for ENERGY STAR with AMD. Thanks to AMD’s power-saving innovations, you can count on machines based on AMD Phenom II processors for the energy efficiency you want and the performance you need.

Specifications
[HR][/HR]
[TABLE=class: Table_Style3]
[TR]
[TD]Frequency[/TD]
[TD]Total L2 Cache[/TD]
[TD]Packaging[/TD]
[TD]Thermal Design power[/TD]
[TD]CMOS Technology[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3.3GHz[/TD]
[TD]1MB[/TD]
[TD]socket AM3[/TD]
[TD]80W[/TD]
[TD]45nm SOI[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE=class: Table_Style3]
[TR]
[TD]AMD64 Technology[/TD]
[TD] Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Simultaneous 32- & 64-bit computing[/TD]
[TD] Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] L1 Cache (Instruction + Data) per core[/TD]
[TD] 128KB (64KB + 64KB)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] L2 Cache (512KB per core)[/TD]
[TD] 1MB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] L3 Cache[/TD]
[TD] 6MB (shared L3)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] HyperTransport™ Technology[/TD]
[TD] HyperTransport™ Technology up to 4000MT/s full duplex, or up to 16.0GB/s I/O Bandwidth[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Integrated DDR2 Memory Controller[/TD]
[TD] Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Memory Controller Width[/TD]
[TD] 128-bit[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Type of Memory Supported[/TD]
[TD] Support for unregistered DIMMs up to PC2 8500(DDR2-1066MHz) and PC3 10600 (DDR3-1333MHz)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Memory Bandwidth[/TD]
[TD] up to 21 GB/s dual channel memory bandwidth[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Total Processor-to-system Bandwidth (HyperTransport plus memory bandwidth)[/TD]
[TD] up to 37 GB/s[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Process Technology[/TD]
[TD] 45 nanometer, SOI (silicon-on-insulator) Technology[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Packaging[/TD]
[TD] AM3(938-pin) organic micro PGA[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Thermal Design Power[/TD]
[TD] 80W[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Manufacturing Sites[/TD]
[TD] GLOBALFOUNDRIES Dresden, Germany[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

This is why AMD have continued to keep focus on dual core processors, but have still been squeezing higher clock speeds out and coming up with the the AMD Phenom II X2 555 dual core 3.2GHz AM3 processor that we’re looking at today. Also, did we mention it’s part of the Black Edition range?

What the Phenom II X2 Black Edition is all about:

AMD Phenom II X2 Black Edition processor combines value and unlocked potential for gamers and tuners on a budget. Users can now experience the power of AMD platform technology, codenamed “Dragon” with dual-core configurations. AMD Black Edition processors help users to take control and unleash the maximum potential of Dragon platform technology’s unprecedented performance tuning capabilities. With dual-core processors, AMD provides platform level solutions at multiple price points, each of which exceeds expectations for virtually any user.

AMD Phenom II is for high definition entertainment, gaming, creativity, and beyond. With AMD Phenom II processors as the foundation, you’ll enjoy a new level of responsiveness and visual intensity. AMD puts high definition computing within everyone’s reach. Superior technologies for HD video. Enjoy a superior high definition experience for HD videos on you PC. AMD Phenom II processor are the powerful engine behind your fidelity, high definition video entertainment experience. Only AMD puts the Ultimate Visual Experience for HD video within your reach. Enjoy entertainment beyond your media library. Get HD content online, offline, wherever you want it, however you want it. Your system can handle whatever you dish out – and serve it up on screen in full, high definition glory. Perfect chemistry. Combine AMD Phenom II processors and ATI Radeon HD graphics to really see the difference. Enjoy smooth video, brilliant videos and immersive games. AMD unleashes visual clarity and responsiveness for what you want to do.

AMD Phenom II processors have the power to do it all. Featuring next-generation quad-core design, they crush even the most demanding tasks. So design it, render it, play it, create it, stream it, HD it. With AMD Phenom II processors, if you can imagine it, you can do it.

AMD Phenom II processors were designed with energy efficiency in mind. Capitalizing on AMD’s leadership in energy efficiency, they incorporate all of the latest technology that gives you performance when you need it and save power when you don’t. Look for ENERGY STAR with AMD. Thanks to AMD’s power-saving innovations, you can count on machines based on AMD Phenom II processors for the energy efficiency you want and the performance you need.

Specifications
[HR][/HR]

• Dual-core Technology
• 3.20Ghz clock speed (AM3 Socket)
• Multiplier unlocked
• 7.0MB L2+L3 Cache
• Cool & Quiet Technology for Energy Efficiency
• Enhanced Virus Protection
• 64-bit Technology
• Hyper Transport Technology
• Virtualization technology
• Unlocked Multiplier
• 3yr Warranty
• Retail Boxed with Heatsink & Fan

AMD recently released a new flagship processor into their product line-up, in the shape of the Phenom II X4 975 BE. This is another Black Edition processor meaning that the multiplier is unlocked giving it more headroom for overclocking and a higher stock frequency.

AMD still believe there is life in the Deneb core and are squeezing more performance out of their quad core processor technology to come up with the X4 975 Deneb.

Specifications
[HR][/HR]

• 3.60GHz clock speed
• 2MB L2 cache
• 6MB L3 cache
• DDR3-1333 support
• 45nm process technology (140W Edition)
• True Multi-core Processing
• Direct Connect Architecture
• Integrated Dual-Channel Memory Controller with up to DDR3-1333 support
• HyperTransport 3.0
• AMD Balanced Smart Cache
• AMD Wide Floating Point Accelerator
• AMD Memory Optimizer Technology
• AMD Digital Media Xpress 2.0
• AMD Virtualization with Rapid Virtualization Indexing
• Cool‘n’Quiet 3.0 technology

Packaging
[HR][/HR] When buying a processor, you get the choice of an OEM or Retail version. Our processors come in a OEM style packaging that is specific to the media though when buying retail, you get a lot more but that is also reflected in the price. A retail version will come with a longer warranty, AMD certified CPU cooler and instruction manual.

That’s why we (review sites) encourage a bit of competition, as it means better products come out at a faster pace, to try and be the leader of the pack. This is a prime example between AMD and Intel who have been fighting for the processor crown for as long as i can remember.

We used to see processor launches every so often, but now we are sometimes shown them once a month (not that we’re complaining).

Intel have held back a back with their product focus mainly being on Sandybridge, so instead they had a reshuffle and dropped some product lines and brought the prices down on others to get in line with their competitors; hence we see processors from a year ago drop dramatically in retailers. AMD however, have been releasing more and more CPU’s onto the market, especially with the X6 range of Phenom II’s with the flagship being the 1090T clocked to 3.2GHz and a turbo speed of 3.6GHz all for around the £190 mark.

The next logical step would be to bring out something to succeed the 1090T with a faster clock speed. That’s where the 1100T takes over as AMD’s latest flagship processor.

This processor supports AMD’s 45nm technology, whilst operating at 95watts.

It’s a quad core processor running at 2.9GHz and is perfect for an out the box solution for a decent price.

It doesn’t have the benefits of an L3 cache that we see with the Phenom range of processors, but for the money you won’t get much better.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This particular CPU is the latest from AMD supporting 45nm technology, running at 125watts and sporting 6 cores with a speed of 3.2GHz.

It’s a perfect processor to rival Intel when the user needing multiple cores.

Video editing and photo rendering are particular applications that will benefit from this CPU.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is part of the Athlon II X3 processors, and features 3 cores totalling 3GHz and uses the latest 45nm technology from AMD. The TDP on this CPU is 95w.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is part of the Athlon II X2 family, and features 2 cores clocking up a total speed of 3.1GHz whilst maintaining 45 nanometer technology, 2Mb of L2 data cache and running at a low 65watts.

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s one of the latest processor from AMD.

It is part of the Athlon II family, and features 3 cores clocking up a total speed of 2.9GHz whilst maintaining 45 nanometer technology and running at a comfortable 95watts.

With a sensible price tag to boot, this tri core processor is another step forward for AMD.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This specific CPU runs at 125w and is AMD’s flagship processor at the present time.

Click here to view the embedded video.