Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition arrives at 3.7 GHz

[hsakarp_kahtap]

AMD has released what is probably the last Phenom II processor before the new architectures Llano and Bulldozer arrive. To keep up as much as possible with Intel's broad Sandy Bridge assortment AMD has rolled out a new quad-core flagship in the form of Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition that runs at 3.7 GHz.

The new processors build on the same Deneb core as previous quad-core Phenom II processors. This means a nominal clock frequency without turbo and four cores. Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition operates at 3.7 GHz and is the highest clocked Phenom II processor from AMD today. The cache weighs in at 8MB and the processor has an integrated DDR3 dual-channel memory controller.
Being made with 45nm technology the processor has a specified TDP at 125 watt and slides into AMD's Socket AM3 platform. As a Black Edition th multipliers are unlocked and should be capable of 4 GHz on air, which would be disappointing otherwise considering the high stock frequency.
AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition

• Deneb (758 miljoner transistors)
• 45nm node
• Four cores at 3.7 GHz
• 6MB L3 cache, 2MB L2 cache (512KB per core)
• Unlocked multipliers
• 125W TDP
• Socket AM3

As expected performance isn't quite up to threatening Intel's Sandy Bridge platform and even if Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition is not a bad processor for the money the perhaps most eciting about it is that we are getting very close to 4 GHz from factory.
AMD is keeping us waiting for AMD A series (Llano APU) and AMD FX series (octo-core Bulldozer) that will come along this summer. Those of you who are eager to get some new AMD chips before that can check out Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition that sells for around 180 €. Review below:

Anandtech

Source

[JayCub]

Thank you Prakash, good to see AMD on the move, looks like a good price for this processor, something to appeal to AMD fans, interesting to see how hot these run, i will keep an eye out for bench marks.

[Bearcat]

Thanks for the update Prakash. I am happy to see that AMD is giving Intel some good competition, as that will be a good thing for the consumer.

[hsakarp_kahtap]

Welcome Jaycub and Bearcat ,AMD to launch its F-series processor is coming months , definitely it will drop the price for sandy bridge cpu and that's will be beneficial for the consumers who are planning to buy a new generation cpu .

[JayCub]

I like the reviews i have read about Sandy bridge and think it's a great chip, we can't really compare the chips to one-another but Intel has been unchallenged for some time now, the hardware market is making massive leaps and bounds of late. at the moment im looking for software to challenge my pc.