AMD updates FX processors with Piledriver cores

By Matthew S. Smith October 22, 2012

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The flagship of AMD’s desktop processor line is the FX series – yet, strangely, these processors have had to wait for an update to the “Piledriver” architecture revision that rolled out for laptops earlier this year. Updating to Piledriver will, according to AMD’s estimates, provide an overall performance boost of about 15 percent.

AMD’s reveal comes in the form of four new processors. The most powerful is the FX-8350, an eight-core part with a base frequency of 4.0GHz and a price tag of about $200. This is followed up by the least powerful but still impressive FX-8320, an eight core-part with a lower base frequency of 3.5GHz. It will be sold for $170.

Budget-conscious buyers may want to consider the $132 FX-6300, a six-core part with a base of 3.5GHz. Another option is the $122 FX-4300, a quad-core with a base of 3.8GHz.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

All of these new processors fit into AM3+ socket chipsets such as the 970, 990X, and 990FX. These chipsets can support up to 14 USB 2.0 ports, 6 USB 3.0 ports, and DDR3 memory running at 1866MHz.

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The new processors are also unlocked, which means that they are very easy to overclock by manipulating the CPU clock values in BIOS. AMD was sure to point out this fact during its press conference and even provided a slide showing the benefits of overclocking to 5GHz with the use of an AMD-branded water-cooling solution.

These products come just days after AMD’s announcement that it will be cutting 15 percent of its workforce after a weak third quarter. Releasing four new processors is unlikely to change the company’s fortunes, but it shows AMD isn’t ready to give up just yet. It’s almost guaranteed that more SKUs based on this revision will be added over time to satisfy more consumers.

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Matthew S. Smith

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…

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