Review: AMD Phenom X3 8750: tri-core Phenom to challenge Intel's Core 2 Duo?

Final thoughts

In November 2007, we concluded that AMD's Phenom X4 9600 was no match for Intel's Core 2 Quad Q6600.

In April 2008, we concluded that AMD's improved Phenom X4 9850 was no match for Intel's Core 2 Quad Q6600.

Today, we're having to conclude that AMD's tri-core Phenom X3 8750 is no match for Intel's Core 2 Quad Q6600, and barely a threat to Intel's Core 2 Duo E8200.

That, however, might be a little harsh. It has taken far too long for AMD's liking, but Phenom is finally beginning to take shape. TLB erratum 298 is fast becoming history and a slew of decent, albeit not awe-inspiring, Phenom processors now make up the Phenom range.

Around six months ago, there was practically no AMD CPU that could be recommended against Intel's all-conquering Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad series of chips. Now, though Intel still remains performance king and obvious recommendation, there is a reasonable alternative from AMD.

AMD's quad-core Phenom X4 series falls short of Intel's Core 2 Quad in terms of performance and we've stated on a few occasions that AMD's fastest quad-core offering is slower than Intel's slowest. That still rings true, but the AMD alternative isn't a bad choice for users of the AM2 socket looking for an upgrade.

The Phenom X3 8750 makes things a little more interesting. It isn't a bad all-rounder, and its one major drawback right now is its price. At present, it isn't priced competitively enough against chips such as Intel's Core 2 Duo E8200. If the Phenom X3 8750 was to see its price drop to sub-£110, the Phenom X3 series of chips would suddenly become a feasible alternative to Intel's Core 2 Duo. Though, is that really the answer? Perhaps not.

Though you, the consumers, are enjoying Intel's aggressive pricing, it isn't suiting AMD. The quad-core market is currently dominated by Intel's Q6600 and the dual-core market by Intel's array of Core 2 Duo processors. If AMD was to lower its Phenom X3 and Phenom X4 prices further, Intel would no doubt follow suit - that's a battle that only Intel can win.

What AMD really needs to help bolster its Phenom line-up is higher clocked CPUs, and it needs them quick. Without the ability to compete in the ultra high-end market, AMD is unable to charge ridiculous amounts as Intel does with its Extreme Edition parts.

AMD would argue that it isn't solely about the processor, it's also largely about platform. Granted, a system based on the Spider platform may offer more than an equivalent Intel system, and possibly at a lower price too. But, at present, Phenom doesn't offer the processor performance to compare with Intel's counterparts.

The Phenom X3 8750, and X3 series, provides AMD with a much needed successor to the ageing Athlon 64, and is almost comparable in terms of performance to Intel's Core 2 Duo.

HEXUS Awards

Despite AMD's Phenom X3 ambition, HEXUS still believes Intel's Core 2 Quad Q6600 to be the best value purchase for a new system builder.

Users residing on the AM2(+) platform, however, will find a multitude of upgrade paths now available. Upgrading to an AMD Phenom X3 8750 will prove to be a better value proposition than to switch to an Intel-based system.

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