14 DAY TRIAL // Since letting Intel enjoy all the CES glory wasn't something AMD was willing to do, the company also decided to launch a couple of new desktop-bound CPUs on this occasion, namely the AMD Phenom II X4 975 ‘Black Edition’ processor and the AMD Phenom II X4 840 processor.
The Phenom II X4 975 ‘Black Edition’ (formerly known as Deneb) is described as a general purpose CPU for enthusiasts and gamers, featuring a 3.6GHz frequency, total Cache (L2+L3) of 8MB, as well as an integrated 128-bit wide memory controller.
The new CPU from AMD also complies with the HyperTransport 3.0 Specification (one 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 4.0GHz full duplex (2.0GHz x2)), requires an AM3 938-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA) socket on the mobo and is manufactured using a 45-nanometer process.
And since we're on this topic, we'll also have to mention that the new CPU is compatible with current AM2+ sockets, as well as future AM3+ sockets.
Last, but certainly not least, we'll also have to mention that the Phenom II X4 975 has an approximate die size of 258mm2, an approximate transistor count of 758 million and a maximum TDP of 125 Watts.
The 3.2GHz Phenom II X4 840, on the other hand, is a general purpose chip for the value conscious delivering four cores, good speed and a sub-100W power band (95W TDP, to be perfectly accurate).
The CPU formerly codenamed “Propus” has a lower amount of cache memory than the 975, but offers the same socket compatibility, meaning that it will also work quite well with future AM3+ motherboards.
Pricing for the new CPUs from AMD gives them a very good value (or compute-per-dollar, as AMD puts it), the Phenom II X4 ‘Black Edition’ selling for around $195, while the 3.2GHz Phenom II X4 840 is priced somewhere in the vicinity of $102.