Is now a good time to purchase Phenom II X6?

[Witchunter]

I was thinking about upgrading my computer with a new motherboard, DDR3 and one of Phenom II X6 processors. However, I read that Bulldozer are coming to market in mid-October.

Do any of you guys have any experience about old processors' price dropping down when a new line of processors come out? Bulldozer will be too heavy on my budget, so I'll definitely stick with Phenom II X6, but I am unsure whether I should buy it now or wait a month.

After Bulldozers come out, how much will the prices of Phenom II X6 processors drop and when exactly, in your opinion? Or will it drop even before the release of Bulldozers?

 

[aclim]

Personally, I would wait... BD is just around the corner and so is SB-E. I would wait just a little and see how the market shapes out after that.

 

[sm625]

If BD cannot outperform X6 then it might create an interesting situation with X6 pricing. But I still doubt the price would go up or down appreciably. I bet 3 months from now you'll be able to get one for no more than 10% off current prices. For as long as AMD keeps selling them...

 

[jhansman]

I did, but made sure I had enough options around it to make it worth while; I dropped it in my current mobo that will take BD if I decide to go that route. If so, I can put the X6 in my old DDR2/SATA2 motherboard. Choices are good!

 

[RussianSensation]

I was thinking about upgrading my computer with a new motherboard, DDR3 and one of Phenom II X6 processors. However, I read that Bulldozer are coming to market in mid-October.

The X6 makes no sense since any of the following are better:

i5 750
i5 760
i7 860
i7 870
i7 875
i7 880
i7 920
i7 930
i7 960
i5-2500k

Wait for BD if you run a lot multi-threaded apps. If you want to save $, get the cheaper X4 or an i3-2120. If you want an all around fastest 4-core CPU, get an Intel CPU (preferably from SB family). The X6 is a waste of $ esp. since now we will have 6 and 8 core BD chips. Also, companies tend to discontinue slow chips and replace them with faster chips at the same price. I don't foresee AMD dropping the price of the X6 CPU by more than $20-30.

If BD cannot outperform X6 then it might create an interesting situation with X6 pricing. .

Considering that BD will have 4.2ghz Turbo modes and will undoubtedly overclock better than X6, even if it has similar IPC to Phenom II, it will be faster. There is almost no chance that an FX-8000 series will be slower than X6 because:

1) AMD wouldn't be able to sell such a CPU > $200
2) AMD would be better off exiting the CPU business if their 8 core BD can't beat their 4 year old Phenom II. Considering Llano was improved over Athlon X4 II, Bobcat is better than Atom, BD will be an improvement over Phenom II.

BD > PHII, guaranteed.

 

[trollolo]

those 6 cores won't do you any good if you're using this computer to game. if you really want to get a phenom II get an X4 black edition and OC it. but bear in mind that the new dulldozer CPU's won't cost much more

 

[lehtv]

The X6 makes no sense since any of the following are better:

i5 750
i5 760
i7 860
i7 870
i7 875
i7 880
i7 920
i7 930
i7 960
i5-2500k

😕 Any of the last-gen i7's are worse than a 2500K and cost a lot more, and i5-750 costs as much as a i5-2400. But when you look at AMD X6, they range from $144 to $190, whereas Intel's cheapest quad core offering is sitting at $180. The lower end Phenom X6 are great value for anyone who needs multicore processing power. For anyone looking for a budget gaming CPU, Phenom X4 9xx are great.

 

[RussianSensation]

😕 Any of the last-gen i7's are worse than a 2500K and cost a lot more, and i5-750 costs as much as a i5-2400.

I never stated that older Intel CPUs are better than modern SB processors. I simply listed all the options far better than the X6.

But when you look at AMD X6, they range from $144 to $190, whereas Intel's cheapest quad core offering is sitting at $180. The lower end Phenom X6 are great value for anyone who needs multicore processing power. For anyone looking for a budget gaming CPU, Phenom X4 9xx are great.

Notice he is upgrading his RAM, Mobo and CPU. In the context of spending $300+ on all 3 parts, it doesn't makes a lot of sense to try to save $30-40 on a CPU that is already last generation's technology, unless he needs 6 cores for specific programs. A $190 i5-2400 is a better CPU. At the very least, he should wait to see how BD plays out and go from there. If the OP is really looking to save money, why pay extra for an X6 over the much cheaper X4?

 

[nenforcer]

If you do decide to go the AMD route, just make sure you purchase an AM3+ 9XX motherboard so you have the option of upgrading to one of these first generation Bulldozer FX processors.

 

[djshortsleeve]

those 6 cores won't do you any good if you're using this computer to game. if you really want to get a phenom II get an X4 black edition and OC it. but bear in mind that the new dulldozer CPU's won't cost much more

this. You want quad core and fastest clock speeds for as cheap as you can get. Most people dont need more than 4 cores right now.

 

[nanaki333]

microcenter has deals where you can buy an AMD cpu and get a free mobo. then their house brand ddr3 4GB kit is only $30. in that case, it's not a bad deal at all. i build x4 and x6 machines with those microcenter deals for friends all the time. great bang for the buck.
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/...ndlePROMO.html

 

[StrangerGuy]

😕 Any of the last-gen i7's are worse than a 2500K and cost a lot more, and i5-750 costs as much as a i5-2400. But when you look at AMD X6, they range from $144 to $190, whereas Intel's cheapest quad core offering is sitting at $180. The lower end Phenom X6 are great value for anyone who needs multicore processing power. For anyone looking for a budget gaming CPU, Phenom X4 9xx are great.

X4 9xx weren't great deals even before i5 750 let alone 2500K.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2754

$266 for a Q9550 or $245 for a 955 BE? That's a no brainer.

 

[BlazenOne]

Definitely wait. Chances are prices will drop with the new releases.

 

[lehtv]

I never stated that older Intel CPUs are better than modern SB processors. I simply listed all the options far better than the X6.

I pointed out the older Intel CPUs are not far better than X6 because they are far too expensive for what they're worth. If you want better than X6 then you buy Sandy Bridge.

Notice he is upgrading his RAM, Mobo and CPU. In the context of spending $300+ on all 3 parts, it doesn't makes a lot of sense to try to save $30-40 on a CPU that is already last generation's technology, unless he needs 6 cores for specific programs. A $190 i5-2400 is a better CPU. At the very least, he should wait to see how BD plays out and go from there. If the OP is really looking to save money, why pay extra for an X6 over the much cheaper X4?

I agree, for OP's purposes and budget SB is better. My point was just to defend AMD's lower end X6 lineup, though it was a bit off topic I suppose.

X4 9xx weren't great deals even before i5 750 let alone 2500K.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2754

$266 for a Q9550 or $245 for a 955 BE? That's a no brainer.

Err, what? X4 965 (955 is out of production AFAIK) doesn't compete in the same price range with 2500K. It costs $130 now, not $245. The price difference to 2500K reflects the performance difference pretty accurately. If you were referencing what they used to cost, that's utterly irrelevant info.

 

[djshortsleeve]

Err, what? X4 965 (955 is out of production AFAIK) doesn't compete in the same price range with 2500K. It costs $130 now, not $245. The price difference to 2500K reflects the performance difference pretty accurately. If you were referencing what they used to cost, that's utterly irrelevant info.

I was confused as well...

I have an AM3 board sitting around which is supposed to be for an HTPC. Thinking AMD CPUs only obviously, x4 965 BE is 130 minus 15 at the egg - thats a nice CPU for 115.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Err, what? X4 965 (955 is out of production AFAIK) doesn't compete in the same price range with 2500K. It costs $130 now, not $245. The price difference to 2500K reflects the performance difference pretty accurately. If you were referencing what they used to cost, that's utterly irrelevant info.

Don't put your words in my mouth. I didn't compare a $245 X4 back then with a $220 2500K now. It is you who said X4s are "great budget gaming CPUs" when historically they were usually priced too close to Intel offerings before SB came along that Intel was the better deal for the money rather than AMD after overclocking both.

 

[Idontcare]

Don't put your words in my mouth. I didn't compare a $245 X4 back then with a $220 2500K now. It is you who said X4s are "great budget gaming CPUs" when historically they were usually priced too close to Intel offerings before SB came along that Intel was the better deal for the money rather than AMD after overclocking both.

Uh...not to be the debbie downer on all y'alls best efforts to put on a smashing good rage parade here, but could ya maybe track the conversation back towards something a skosh more relevant and helpful to the OP?

 

[lehtv]

Don't put your words in my mouth.

I'm not doing that.

I didn't compare a $245 X4 back then with a $220 2500K now.

I didn't assume that.

It is you who said X4s are "great budget gaming CPUs"

Exactly. I said they are great budget gaming CPUs. Not were.

when historically they were usually priced too close to Intel offerings before SB came along that Intel was the better deal for the money rather than AMD after overclocking both.

Irrelevant!

 

[E6700]

yes!!, if you can get it for $99 or lower.