Conclusion

AMD has extended the reach of its eight-core FX line of premium processors by introducing its first efficiency-optimised, 95W parts. The FX-8370E and FX-8320E reduce maximum wattage by lowering the all-core speed when compared to the traditional FX processors.

Such a move is a tacit understanding that small-form-factor systems are becoming more important, particularly for power users who can take advantage of AMD's competitive multi-threaded performance. The reviewed FX-8370E's lower-power credentials play well when overclocking, with our chip hitting nearly 5GHz with minimal effort.

It goes without saying, however, that AMD remains a distant second to Intel in terms of IPC performance, and there's no contest between FX Series and high-end Core i7, but that in turn dictates AMD's keen pricing.

The chip manufacturer would dearly like to charge more for its eight-core parts, but doesn't possess the raw speed needed to do so. The good news for you, the consumer, is that AMD has to push a value proposition, and as such the eight-core, 95W FX-8370E can be yours for just £140. At that price the chip represents a solid drop-in upgrade path for anyone on an AM3+ platform.

The Good

Eight cores for £140
Reduced 95W TDP
Excels in multi-threaded apps
Overclocks well

The Bad

Lowly single-thread performance
Based on old technology
Not as good for gaming as Core i5

HEXUS.awards

AMD FX-8370E

HEXUS.where2buy

The AMD FX-8370E processor is available to purchase from Scan Computers*.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.

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Great review. Just a quick musing. For future power optimised products such as these I would love to see a how low can you go sort of testing. IE, how long could you under volt this before you had some instabilities. But that's jut me nit picking at a very good CPU testing suite.

It just doesn't make sense to buy it. I'm not an Intel fanboy - I buy what's better an the i5 is simply better at that price. Better performance AND lower power consumption. It's a shame really, as it'd be nice to see AMD compete with Intel once again.

MrRockliffe
It just doesn't make sense to buy it. I'm not an Intel fanboy - I buy what's better an the i5 is simply better at that price. Better performance AND lower power consumption. It's a shame really, as it'd be nice to see AMD compete with Intel once again.

It's a pity AMD didn't move to 28nm, but I wasn't expecting them to do that in all honesty, since it's a tweaked FX chip. Maybe AMD will make the jump to 20nm in a year? Lol I can dream!

The FX8320E is the same price as the FX8320 on OcUK ATM.

MrRockliffe
It just doesn't make sense to buy it. I'm not an Intel fanboy - I buy what's better an the i5 is simply better at that price. Better performance AND lower power consumption. It's a shame really, as it'd be nice to see AMD compete with Intel once again.

I remember years ago when the skt 939 X2 processor from AMD ruled the roost. Intel eventually countered well with the core architecture, but many of us had motherboards and RAM, and just wanted to upgrade CPUs.. and AMD switched to AM2 which meant if we upgraded, we had to get a new motherboard and RAM anyway, and so many people switched to Intel. I even wrote to the VP of AMD asking if they were planning on producing an ‘upgraders’ CPU and he graciously replied saying the move to DDR2 meant they needed a new socket etc.

Now though, this is the equivalent chip that I was looking for back then. If you have a motherboard that can't cope with the 125W TDP of the 8350 etc. (and are upgrading from say a 6-core chip) then this is a big increase in performance with just a drop in change of CPU.

In other words, it's something from AMD to their current users, which is to be applauded, much the same way that Intel's recent pentium was.