AMD Phenom II X4 810 & X3 720 Processors

Phenom II Socket AM3 Processors Have Arrived:

A month ago we saw the launch of the Phenom II X4 940 & 920 processors. Today AMD is launching FIVE new chips to add to their Phenom II lineup. We are finally seeing the socket AM3 (DDR3) design that has been talked about for many months. Unfortunately, while the chips are ready for DDR3, motherboard manufacturers are still working diligently to get AM3 boards in the retail channels as soon as possible. However, these processors are designed to work in existing AM2+ motherboards requiring nothing more than a simple BIOS update. So whether building a new system or upgrading an existing one, these processors offer an inexpensive solution for the enthusiast that wants to get most performance out of their AM2+ system.

The two chips we will be taking a look at specifically are the Phenom II X4 810 and X3 720 Black Edition. Being a Black Edition processor means that the CPU multiplier is unlocked, making it much easier to overclock. The Northbridge Frequency (HT/MC) is back up and running at 2GHz for all these AM3 processors (The X4 940/920 are running at 1.8GHz). While the X3 7xx series have 6MB of L3 cache (just like the X4 9xx series), the X4 8xx processors have only 4MB of L3 cache. The table below should explain more clearly all the differences in speeds, cache, cores, etc.

In the picture below, the CPU on the left is the typical AM2+ processor, the one on the right is an AM3. Notice the omission of a couple pins? The corresponding AM3 sockets will have those holes filled to ensure a person doesn't try to insert an AM2+ processor into an AM3 board. Meanwhile, the AM3 chip will fit perfectly into an AM2+ board.

Pricing and Availability:

The table below has been updated according to AMD's Processor Pricing List. I also added some extra specs that help in explaining the different models. The X4 910 & X4 805 are tray only / OEM type chips, I'm sure one can guestimate a price since there is no official listing.