Athlon X4 615e/620e 45W; should remain in production today along with FX processors..

[waltchan]

Remember the Athlon II X4 615e and 620e 45W Propus quad-core processors? Well, I always believe these two models should have remained in production today along with all the 95W and 125W FXs currently available. AMD made a huge mistake I think selling only the 95W minimum FX processors, and they think they're energy-efficient (yeah right..) Not the way to compete for 2015. :thumbsdown:

Athlon 620e is the fastest and highest-end 45W AM3 model, but it seems to sell for over $100 shipped every time I listed one (two times). So I was forced to move one model down to 615e, which is currently selling for $53 shipped from China, and it's the #1 quad-core 45W right now.

I'm building another PC using Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 board, and I was able to overclock it up to 3.25 GHz max on 45W stock voltage and 1732 MHz RAM speed (not too bad).

 

[monstercameron]

Go fm2+ prices are good and the chipset us modern: read a58 and Athlon 760k

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

Go fm2+ prices are good and the chipset us modern: read a58 and Athlon 760k

Agreed -- the 65 Watt Quad Core FM2 CPU's are considerably faster than these old 615e/620e (just take a look at the passmark scores versus something like an A10 6700). The AM3 chipset also probably uses more power than FM2+ -- so for an overall system build, the 45 watt versus 65 watt CPU's are probably a wash after the chipset is factored into the mix.

Plus, FM2 has access to USB 3.0 and the latest PCI Express..... Not to mention the built in GPU of an APU could save way more power over the dedicated video card running an old Athlon II would likely need.

 

[SPBHM]

Go fm2+ prices are good and the chipset us modern: read a58 and Athlon 760k

yes, they replaced what the Athlon X4 AM3 was with the FM2/+ CPUs basically, the 7600 is nice and can be used as a 45W CPU,

but the old X4 can work with any am2+/Am3/Am2+ (and some old AM2) boards, which is nice,

 

[waltchan]

The quad-cores FM2/FM2+ are selling for over $100 MSRP, and most of them have 100W TDP for the K models, not a valid comparison. The AM3+ FX-4300 95W is going for $89.99. I was hoping the older Athlon II X4 615e/620e (if still in production today) would be priced at $74.99 as a cheaper solution to the FX, and for people that need 45W.

In addition, some of the AM3 boards have integrated GPU built-in avoids you paying for a separate graphic card, which the FM2 boards don't have. The price of combo is always at least $65 difference estimated (with CPU together) between Radeon HD3000 integrated and Radeon HD5450 (cheapest GPU card). I found boards without GPU built-in priced $30 higher than Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3, Asus M5A78L-M/USB3, and ECS A960M-MV boards, all with built-in Radeon HD3000 GPU.

So, I believe these 45W Athlon x4s should still be in production today, and AMD makes selection difficult for me since many are energy hogs.

 

[CKTurbo128]

In addition, some of the AM3 boards have integrated GPU built-in that avoids you paying for a separate graphic card, which the FM2 boards don't have. The price combo can be $50 difference between Radeon HD3000 integrated and Radeon HD5450 (cheapest GPU card).

The reason why FM2 motherboards don't have integrated GPUs is that Socket FM2 processors (APUs as AMD calls them) themselves have integrated GPUs. The FM2 APUs should regarded as a CPU/GPU combo, rather than just a CPU. With this in mind, the TDP rating of Socket FM2 should be considered as such, as a separate Athlon II X4 610/615e 45W CPU and separate GPU (like a HD5450) would probably draw more than 65W anyhow.

 

[waltchan]

With this in mind, the TDP rating of Socket FM2 should be considered as such, as a separate Athlon II X4 610/615e 45W CPU and separate GPU (like a HD5450) would probably draw more than 65W anyhow.

Athlon 615e/620e can be paired with no-cost integrated Radeon HD3000 in the motherboard. Without HD5450, I save $50.

The closest one I found similar is Trinity FM2 A8-5500 65W with similar benchmark rating. But this one is LOCKED and can't be bus-overclocked, unlike the Athlon 615e.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Athlon 615e/620e can be paired with no-cost integrated Radeon HD3000 in the motherboard. Without HD5450, I save $50.

The closest one I found similar is Trinity FM2 A8-5500 65W with similar benchmark rating. But this one is LOCKED and can't be bus-overclocked, unlike the Athlon 615e.

1) Wants low-wattage quad-core
2) Wants to overclock said quad-core

What's wrong with this picture?

 

[sm625]

Why is 45W so important? You can always downclock and undervolt.

 

[waltchan]

The AM3 chipset also probably uses more power than FM2+ -- so for an overall system build, the 45 watt versus 65 watt CPU's are probably a wash after the chipset is factored into the mix.

You don't want to know the total power consumption if using FX-4130 125W Bulldozer, everyday special (and still in-stock) for $39.99 at Micro Center. Up to 150W combined together with only 1259 single-thread score. It can reach 200W easily if you want to reach 5.00 GHz. :wub:

 

[SPBHM]

Athlon 615e/620e can be paired with no-cost integrated Radeon HD3000 in the motherboard. Without HD5450, I save $50.

The closest one I found similar is Trinity FM2 A8-5500 65W with similar benchmark rating. But this one is LOCKED and can't be bus-overclocked, unlike the Athlon 615e.

it can be overclock, people don't do it because it's easy to get an unlocked one
http://hwbot.org/hardware/processor/a8_5500/

the HD 3000 is extremely weak (based on the old HD 2400, but even worse), so the a8 5500 would have a huge advantage with the IGP quality (not only for gaming, but also video acceleration), also with FM2 you are not stuck with 760G if you want to use the IGP, you can still find some cheap fm2 boards with native sata III for example

 

[escrow4]

Just buy a 4460 then. Idle sips power and load isn't that huge. Would obliterate anything propus. Why is 45w so important?

 

[Torn Mind]

45 watts refers to the amount of heat the cooling system needs to dissipate per second. Overclocking increases power consumption and may or may not overwhelm said cooling system. But wattage at full load will be higher than at stock.

Besides, Propus is nothing now thanks to the Pentium G3258. At 3.1 GHz overclock, any Athlon II X4 is almost the same as an Athlon II X4 645, and that chip is even with a stock G3258 at best. But the Pentium has better graphics and can overclock easy.

And AMD's own modern offerings would kick them out of the water. Underclock an A8 "K" APU and it would still blow these old Athlons out of the water. Way better graphics and CPU performance.

There are too many better options out there now.

 

[Torn Mind]

The quad-cores FM2/FM2+ are selling for over $100 MSRP, and most of them have 100W TDP for the K models, not a valid comparison. The AM3+ FX-4300 95W is going for $89.99. I was hoping the older Athlon II X4 615e/620e (if still in production today) would be priced at $74.99 as a cheaper solution to the FX, and for people that need 45W.

In addition, some of the AM3 boards have integrated GPU built-in avoids you paying for a separate graphic card, which the FM2 boards don't have. The price of combo is always at least $65 difference estimated (with CPU together) between Radeon HD3000 integrated and Radeon HD5450 (cheapest GPU card). I found boards without GPU built-in priced $30 higher than Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3, Asus M5A78L-M/USB3, and ECS A960M-MV boards, all with built-in Radeon HD3000 GPU.

So, I believe these 45W Athlon x4s should still be in production today, and AMD makes selection difficult for me since many are energy hogs.

Discrete cards are not needed for any FM platform. The IGP is there somewhere. I'll give you one chance to figure it out.

Athlon 615e/620e can be paired with no-cost integrated Radeon HD3000 in the motherboard. Without HD5450, I save $50.

The closest one I found similar is Trinity FM2 A8-5500 65W with similar benchmark rating. But this one is LOCKED and can't be bus-overclocked, unlike the Athlon 615e.

Overclocking negates power savings.

You do know what Cool 'n Quiet is, do you?

 

[Torn Mind]

Agreed -- the 65 Watt Quad Core FM2 CPU's are considerably faster than these old 615e/620e (just take a look at the passmark scores versus something like an A10 6700). The AM3 chipset also probably uses more power than FM2+ -- so for an overall system build, the 45 watt versus 65 watt CPU's are probably a wash after the chipset is factored into the mix.

Plus, FM2 has access to USB 3.0 and the latest PCI Express..... Not to mention the built in GPU of an APU could save way more power over the dedicated video card running an old Athlon II would likely need.

You don't want to know the total power consumption if using FX-4130 125W Bulldozer, everyday special (and still in-stock) for $39.99 at Micro Center. Up to 150W combined together with only 1259 single-thread score. It can reach 200W easily if you want to reach 5.00 GHz. :wub:

The Fx-4130 is not an FM2 chip.

Bulldozer was never used on the APUs.

Chipsets are different components from CPUs.

 

[waltchan]

45 watts refers to the amount of heat the cooling system needs to dissipate per second. Overclocking increases power consumption and may or may not overwhelm said cooling system. But wattage at full load will be higher than at stock.

Besides, Propus is nothing now thanks to the Pentium G3258. At 3.1 GHz overclock, any Athlon II X4 is almost the same as an Athlon II X4 645, and that chip is even with a stock G3258 at best. But the Pentium has better graphics and can overclock easy.

And AMD's own modern offerings would kick them out of the water. Underclock an A8 "K" APU and it would still blow these old Athlons out of the water. Way better graphics and CPU performance.

There are too many better options out there now.

You're right. The last thing I'm not sure is where can I find TDP watt rating for Radeon HD3000 integrated GPU and A760G chipset together for AM3 socket, and A78 AMD chipset for FM2 socket. Which one I'm better off after calculating in 45W AM3 vs. 65W FM2?

I bought several FREE after rebate mATX cases with built-in power supply from TigerDirect that's only rated 60% efficiency, APEX SolyTech brand, so it's very sensitive to heat. They run like a heater easily if using FX processors, but run cool and great with Intel Bay Trail. Not interested in upgrading to a better 80-plus rated power supply at this moment.

 

[waltchan]

Overclocking negates power savings.

You do know what Cool 'n Quiet is, do you?

Cool 'n Quiet is always in ON mode when I do overclocking, so I don't overclock it too much. Athlon 615e can go up to 3.10 GHz maximum at stock 1.17V with Cool 'n Quiet ON.

I never try OFF before, and do you think it can go more in overclocking on stock 1.17 voltage? Not interested in bumping up the voltage to 1.37V, which then makes it a 95W processor identical to Athlon 645.

 

[cbn]

The last thing I'm not sure is where can I find TDP watt rating for Radeon HD3000 integrated GPU and A760G chipset together for AM3 socket, and A78 AMD chipset for FM2 socket. Which one I'm better off after calculating in 45W AM3 vs. 65W FM2?

Here is what I could find so far:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_700_chipset_series#760G

5.1W to 6.1W for the iGPU.

P.S. Another thing to considering when comparing AM3+ and FM2/FM2+ is idle power consumption.

 

[waltchan]

Turns out it can go 3.25GHz as opposed to 3.10GHz on 45W stock voltage (1.15V) if I put this in a Asus ATX with 1866 MHz RAM used. Original post updated. Asus boards are usually a little stronger in bus-overclocking than Gigabyte.