Hardware Canucks » Processors

AMD A8-3870K Unlocked Llano APU Review

skymtl — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:50:16 +0000

Being the newest and highest-end addition to AMD’s A-series APU lineup, not only does the A8-3870K feature the much raved about integrated Radeon HD 6550D, but it comes with fully unlocked multipliers for both the CPU and GPU portions.

Intel Sandy Bridge-E Core i7 3960X CPU Review

skymtl — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:58:54 +0000

Intel’s X58 platform has been around for over three years now (yes, it really has been that long) and for many a changing of the guard in the enthusiast market couldn’t come soon enough. Replacing the venerable Nehalem microarchitecure is an offshoot of the Sandy Bridge platform which is simply called Sandy Bridge E. The new processor lineup is headlined by the 3960X; a six core, twelve threaded extreme edition product that is sure to turn heads for its performance as well as an astronomical price.

AMD Bulldozer FX-8150 Processor Review

skymtl — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:50 +0000

After many, many years of gossip, presentations, leaks, and showcases AMD’s new Bulldozer processors are finally here. This is AMD’s attempt at making an architecture with significant multi-threaded performance but at a price that most people can afford. With 8 cores on tap, we think they have the multi-threaded aspect covered, but the real question is whether they have managed to increase IPC enough to give these new processors a change at competing with Intel’s all-powerful Sandy Bridge LGA1155 chips.

AMD A6-3650 Llano APU Review

skymtl — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:15:17 +0000

When AMD’s Llano desktop architecture was introduced, the A8-3850 was the only APU available but another, more budget-friendly version soon followed. The A6-3650 retains all of the features which made its bigger brother so successful but core speeds and the onboard graphics processor have been cut down to a slightly lower level. The result is a $120 APU that could very well take the market by storm.

Intel Core i3-2120 & Core i5-2400 LGA1155 Processors Review

skymtl — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:55:49 +0000

Given how great the Core i5-2500K and i7-2600K perform, it is easy to forget that the current Sandy Bridge LGA1155 processors are part of Intel’s mainstream series, not their high-end one. Therefore, it is more than due time for us to test out some of the lower priced offerings. Although we would love to try them all, the two models that we are reviewing today are the Core i3-2120 and the Core i5-2400, which respectively have $138 and $184 MSRPs.

AMD A8-3850 APU Review: Llano Hits the Desktop

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:58:44 +0000

We’ve been hearing about it for years but AMD is finally launching their Fusion architecture into the mid-range desktop market with the Lynx platform’s A8 and A6 processors alongside A75 and A55 motherboards. These accelerated processing units (or APUs) integrate a quad core CPU, 400 shader GPU and fully functional Northbridge onto a single die to form and architecture that AMD hopes will combat Intel’s Sandy Bridge. That’s a tall order to fill but from the looks of things, the flagship A8-3850 has things well in hand.

AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Processor Review

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 03:58:14 +0000

Back in January, we were absolutely convinced that we had seen the last hurrah for the venerable quad-core 45nm ‘Deneb’ die when we reviewed the Phenom II X4 975 Black Edition processor. However, apparently we were wrong as AMD is now releasing the X4 980 Black Edition; a processor sporting an impressive 3.7Ghz core speed. But can it compete against Intel’s Sandy Bridge platform?

AMD Phenom II X4 840 & X4 975 Black Edition Processors Review

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 05:02:55 +0000

There is no denying the fact that AMD has been hell-bent on providing the CPU market with some much-needed value options as of late. While this approach hasn’t led to any direct competitors against Intel’s high-end products, there are several Phenom and Athlon processors that feature an excellent price / performance ratio. Today, AMD is releasing two more quad core Phenom II CPUs: the enthusiast-friendly X4 975 BE and the sub-$120 X4 840.

Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5 2500K & Core i7 2600K Processors Review

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:55:01 +0000

With Intel still adhering to their tick / tock release strategy, it was only a matter of time until a new architecture was introduced and it’s name is Sandy Bridge. Today marks the launch of no less than eight new desktop processors based on a highly refined 32nm manufacturing process and ranging in price from $120 all the way up to nearly $350. Their goal is to effectively replace a large portion of the Clarkdale and Lynnfield products while offering up stiff competition against AMD’s current and upcoming CPUs.

AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Six-Core Processor Review

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:02:26 +0000

AMD’s Phenom II X6 series has proven to be exceptionally popular since its launch in April, and much of this can be attributed to the simple fact that it offers the only six-core processors that are within the reach of the average consumer. Today, AMD is launching a slight refresh to this series, with their fastest hexacore processor yet: the 1100T Black Edition.

Intel Core i5-655K & Core i7-875K Unlocked Processors Review

Fri, 28 May 2010 03:59:46 +0000

Enthusiasts and gamers alike are aware that AMD has long been catering to the overclockers among us with their unlocked yet affordable Black Edition processors. Meanwhile, Intel’s “unlocked” products have largely been reserved for their ultra high-end Extreme Edition products but that is all about to change with the introduction of the K-series of i7 and i5 1156 processors. In this review we take these chips to their limits in order to see if their unlocked multipliers are beneficial to the end user.

Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale LGA1156 Processor Review

Mon, 03 May 2010 21:56:10 +0000

When Intel’s Clarkdale processors were first released, they opened up the 1156 platform to a whole new market of budget conscious buyers. A low-cost, 32nm processor like the i3 540 may not be immediately interesting to the vast majority of enthusiasts but considering this efficient chip sports four threads and a core speed slightly above 3Ghz, it could be perfect for many consumers. In this review we take a closer look at the 540 to see how well it fits into Intel’s current lineup.

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T & 1055T Six-Core Processors Review

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:03:23 +0000

For the better part of the last year, there had been rumors of an AMD 6-core processor family that would soon be introduced. Well, that day has come and in this review we focus upon two products from AMD’s Phenom X6 family: the 1090T Black Edition and the slightly more pedestrian 1055T. Are they enough to topple Intel from its current place upon the performance throne?

Intel Core i7-980X Gulftown Six-Core 32nm Processor Review

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:59:54 +0000

It has been a long time coming. Intel’s six core processors have been talked about since the Nehalem architecture was first introduced and with the Core i7 980X, Gulftown has finally seen the light of day. Naturally, this new processor is expensive but with six physical cores and 12 threads, can it perform up to everyone’s expectations?

Intel Westmere 32nm Launch & Clarkdale Core i5 661 CPU Review

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:45:03 +0000

In recent years, Intel used Nehalem architecture to push both a high end platform with their Bloomfield-based CPUs and their newly released Lynnfield generation of LGA1156 chips. Today they reveal their more moderately-priced Westmere series with the introduction of the Clarkdale desktop and Arrandale mobile CPUs. In this review we will be looking at the Clarkdale Core i5 661.

Intel Lynnfield Core i5-750 & Core i7-870 Processor Review

admin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:35:06 +0000

After countless previews, leaked benchmarks and general, all-round excitement, Lynnfield processors are finally here and will be launched to the public. Naturally, with widespead availability comes reviews and today we will be looking at two of Intel’s new “mainstream” processors: the i5 750 and the i7 870. As you will soon come to see, neither of these products exhibit what we would call mainstream performance…

A Summer Road Trip with the Intel Core i7 975 EE

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:38:47 +0000

Summer is here and with it comes vacation and the classical road trips people seem to either love or hate. Before your own vacation rears its head, we want to take you on a trip you will not soon forget. One with a canister of liquid nitrogen strapped to our backs while we push the new Intel Core i7 975 EE to its absolute limits.

Hardware Canucks: Benchmarkers Guide to the Phenom II

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:08:49 +0000

Recent developments in the overclocking and benchmarking world have once again vaulted AMD into the limelight with their Phenom II. News from AMD at recent tech demos has shown that the dreaded cold bug was all but gone allowing operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures of -196C, and possibly beyond. It was with this information that we decided we were going to strictly focus on overclocking the AMD Phenom II with three very different mediums; traditional ambient air cooling, phase change and liquid nitrogen.

Intel Core i7 “Nehalem” 920, 940 & 965 XE Processor Review

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:23:00 +0000

It is rare that we get to take a look at a brand new architecture but today we take out first in-depth look at Intel’s new i7 series of CPUs. This will be the first in a series of reviews but before we go on to other articles, we have to tackle the basics of the platform and how everything works together as one happy family. So, is the Nehalem all that we all hope it will be?

AMD Phenom X4 9750 Quad Core CPU Review

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:29:22 +0000

Back in the K8 days, AMD was on the top of the world since their processors were doing extremely well against the somewhat lackluster competition from Intel. Fast forward to today and AMD is fighting for their life with their hope resting with their Phenom Quad Cores. In this review we will be looking at the new Phenom X4 9750 which is one of the new B3 revision processors.

AMD Phenom X4 9600 Performance Preview

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:30:37 +0000

AMD’s new Phenom X4 quad core processor has finally arrived! After months of respins, rumors and marketing hype we put the Phenom X4 9600 through its paces in this preview. Is this new processor as good as everyone hopes it will be or will it fall flat on its face?

Core 2 Duo e4300 vs. e6400: performance on Air and Water Cooling

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:14:50 +0000

The primary goal of this review is to investigate both the stock and overclocking performance of the e4300. For comparison, the e4300 will be tested against an e6400 CPU under three different cooling solutions: stock air, aftermarket air, and water cooling. There are also a few more tests, but you will have to read on to find out what they are.