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AMD's FX-8150 is the first processor we've seen that uses the new Bulldozer core - the first all-new AMD core since 2007's K10. This top-of-the-range model has a whopping eight cores running at 3.6GHz, and can boost up to 4.2GHz in Turbo mode when lightly-threaded applications aren’t using all the cores. Like AMD's Llano processors, you'll need a new motherboard to use a Bulldozer chip - it requires a Socket AM3+ motherboard with an AMD 990FX chipset. The cheapest board currently available is Gigabyte's £115 GA-990FXA-UD3, but prices should come down as more boards are launched. The FX-8150's architecture is significantly different from that of its main rival: Intel's Sandy Bridge. Sandy Bridge chips consist of up to four cores, each with their own Level 1 and 2 cache, sharing a pool of Level 3 cache. The FX-8150 has four modules, each of which contains two Bulldozer cores. Each core has its own level 1 cache, and the two cores within each module share 2MB of level 2 cache. In turn, the four modules share an 8MB block of level 3 cache. AMD claims this means that single-threaded applications have access to more resources, as they can access 2MB of level 2 cache and 8MB of level 3 cache even when using just one core; with Sandy Bridge, single threads only have access to 256KB of Level 2 cache and 8MB of level 3. AMD's FX range also doesn't have built-in graphics, but every processor in the range has an unlocked multiplier for easier overclocking. At launch, there will be three FX models: two eight-core chips running at 3.1GHz and 3.6GHz, and a six-core model running at 3.3GHz (see table below). Later on AMD will launch a four-core version, starting at £100. All and all, I was very disappointed based on the hype, and promoting done by amd, hopefully the release of the 2nd generation processors later this year will be able to fix the underwhelmed consumer base that was expecting this to be the top of the line smashing intel into the dust, processor. Thanks, we hoped you've enjoyed our review.Read full review
New CPU brought new life to an ageing, but still usable machine. I also maxed out the ram from 2 gig's to 16 gig's, disabled the onboard video and installed a 2 gig card. It's like a whole new (old) machine.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Works well, and can be easily overclocked. The large on-board cache makes for fast processing and a noticeable boost in performance over lower-end processors.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
First off, I have not used this processor in a Windows machine. It's for an openSuSE linux box with most of the software recompiled from source with optimization for the processor. Supposedly, Windows 7 does not handle the Bulldozer processors properly, leading to low benchmarks. However, even with Windows possibly mishandling the processor it still is a great buy at its price point. However, the processor is extremely fast on Linux, but where it truly shines is multitasking. I've let it compile multiple large programs at the same time (GCC 4.7, new kernel, other Linux components) while it ripped my DVDs to the massive hard drive I put in it, while I played Diablo 3 on it. Not a hiccup. Absolutely stellar.
Mine came stock at 3.6GHz and I was able to overclock it to 4.7 on water cooling with a single 120mm radiator. Very impressive.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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