AMD releases new FX CPUs

AMD has released the highly anticipated FX series of desktop processors based on the Bulldozer architechture.

Three FX models will be available at launch, headlined by the flagship FX-8150 processor which features 8 cores, a base frequency of 3.6GHz, a max turbo frequency of 4.2GHz and a Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating of 125w.

The real surprise is the suggested U.S. “e-tail” (price found on online retail websites such as Ebay) of $245 or around R1955.00.

This should translate to a local e-tailer price of around R2,400 though there is no confirmed local pricing as yet.

The full FX family of processors will consist of 7 models in three categories.

The first is the high end FX81xx series of processors, which feature 8 cores, 8MB of L2 cache and run on the AM3+ chipset.

The second consists of a single processor, the FX-6100; a 6 core processor with 6MB of L2 cache and a 95w TDP rating.

The final series is the FX-41xx series which will sport 4 cores along with 4MB of L2 cache.

 

AMD FX CPU Models at Launch

Complete AMD FX CPU line-up

The FX family of processors also ships with two new instruction sets; AES and AVX.

AES is designed to speed up encryption, and AMD claims that an AMD FX 8150 processor with AES performs 3.7x faster than an AMD Phenom II X6 1100T without AES.

AVX is designed to optimise floating point operations for increased speed.

In addition, AMD FX series processors feature an unlocked multiplier allowing users to overclock the CPU through the BIOS, or with the bundled AMD OverDrive software which allows overclockers to monitor and change values in real-time via the OverDrive overclocking panel.

AMD FX processors go on sale from mid-October 2011.

Update: AMD South Africa has indicated a recommended retail price of R2,499 for the FX8120. We are still awaiting local pricing information for the other chipsets.

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