AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 95W CPU review

Final thoughts and rating

AMD's Phenom II X6 1055T 95W CPU is a chip that shows just how much the Austin outfit has squeezed out of its ageing K10 architecture. Imbued with six processing cores for genuine multi-tasking and running at up-to 3.3GHz under favourable conditions, AMD's manufacturing prowess enables it to release the processor with a sub-100W power rating.

Sweetening the deal, the 1055T 95W arrives with a £150 retail price tag, thereby putting pressure on the lower rungs of Intel's Core i7 line-up, and the versatility of the supporting AM3 platform means that buying into AMD's six-core goodness isn't exorbitantly expensive. Heck, it overclocks well and, naturally, is power-frugal for a high-end CPU.

But AMD knows that a widespread release of this chip wouldn't be conducive for sales of incumbent Phenom II X6 chips that ship with a 125W rating. This is why, according to AMD. it won't be available outside of Japan in full-retail form. Rather, to purchase it in the UK, one would need to have it supplied as part of a bundle or pre-plumbed in a turnkey system.

Balancing pure performance, power-draw, and price in an enviable manner, the 1055T 95W becomes our favourite 'high-end' CPU, and we urge AMD to make it more widely available in the channel.

The Good

Great balance of performance, power-draw and price
Best £150 CPU around

The Bad

Limited availability

HEXUS Rating

AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 95W CPU

HEXUS Awards

AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 95W CPU

HEXUS Where2Buy

TBC.

HEXUS Right2Reply

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Great review - we've been looking forward to this one!

And the chip delivers too - I hope AMD have enough margins to make this one profitable, because it's finally competitive with lynnfield IMHO.

I wouldn't mind purchasing it as part of a motherboard bundle, but I'd expect to get the motherboard I wanted and not have to pay any extra for doing so!

Interesting that despite your adding 10% to various lines, the core voltage when overclocked manually is less than when you allowed turbo mode to kick in at stock speeds. (although this isn't reflected in power draw figures - explanation?) :

Overclocked:

Stock, turbo core:

kalniel
Great review - we've been looking forward to this one!

And the chip delivers too - I hope AMD have enough margins to make this one profitable, because it's finally competitive with lynnfield IMHO.

I wouldn't mind purchasing it as part of a motherboard bundle, but I'd expect to get the motherboard I wanted and not have to pay any extra for doing so!

Interesting that despite your adding 10% to various lines, the core voltage when overclocked manually is less than when you allowed turbo mode to kick in at stock speeds. (although this isn't reflected in power draw figures - explanation?) :

Moral of that story is not to trust CPU-Z implicitly. It's good for clockspeeds but not so great on reporting accurate voltages.

Nicely done review, and a phenomenal cpu at the price. With ever increasing yields, hopefully this will be available in general soon.

£150 retail price tag for a six core i7 930 killer - I'm in….

I think Intel will have to reduce some prices soon as AMD have caught up - (not king of the hill, but up there with the big boys )

:rockon: AMD

Indeed, interseting review, certainy made me reconsider my plans for upgrading. The price tag and decent performance make it very appealing indeed.