AMD Athlon 64 FX-57: The Fastest Single Core
by Derek Wilson on June 27, 2005 11:47 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Final Words
Clearly the FX-57 is the fastest single core processor money can buy right now. But is it worth it?The price is exorbitant, the speed increase over previous FX processors is not extreme, and the industry is focused firmly on multiple core architectures. We are no longer at point in time where this launch is extremely important. The battles have been fought and AMD already won the fight for single threaded performance.
For end users who need a high performing single core, the 4000+ is quite capable and affords a savings of more than $550. For those who have the money to burn, the X2 4800+ costs just over $1000 as well and will provide smoother multitasking and higher performance in applications that only modestly benefit from multithreading.
The FX-57 isn't as overclockable as previous parts (based on our experience with one sample). Our FX-53 would easily run at 2.6GHz, and the FX-55 could run stable at 2.8GHz if we took extra care to keep it cool. Our FX-57 didn't even pretend to make it through our stability test at 3GHz.
There may be some corporation or individual who absolutely must have single core performance at all costs. In that situation, the FX-57 is the fastest option and the best fit. Of course, that demographic doesn't even show up on the radar. The real answer to our question is that the FX-57 is not worth the price. With options almost as fast at just about half the price or hardware that has the potential for more speed and a smoother experience priced the same, the choice for the desktop end user is clearly not the FX-57.
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Calin - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
Anyway, what's with the data analysis benchmark? Looks like every Pentium4 beats the hell out of every Athlon64.If this is true, then I feel my suggestions to buy Athlon64 might not always be correct
Calin - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
An processor with 1M level2 cache and dual channel memory controller is a preview of what to expect from a nice cheap 256K cache single channel memory controller? I really really don't think soAtaStrumf - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
This isn't just a speed bump, it's a new revision (SH-E4 I think). Check PCU-Z next time!New Semprons with x86-64 will be even newer revisons - DH-E6 (don't know if that's good or bad yet, but very likely good) so OCing of this new E4 is like the most important thing here because nobody's gonna buy $1000 CPUs, nobody here anyway.
FX-57 is a preview of what to expect of a nice cheap 3300+ Sempron and all you gave it was one line. Try a little harder next time please! If it's true that everybody else is getting 3,0 GHz on air, than that is great news. Just what we have been waiting for!!!
JarredWalton - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
Overclocking is half luck, and there's no telling how the OC benches at other places are really performed. 2.75 GHz "easy" on a Winchester? Fat chance. Maybe with water cooling and the proper motherboard, but even then it's not guaranteed. And don't think the Venice cores are much better - they're really about the same, which means 2.6 to 2.7 GHz air cooled is the typical maximum for a truly stable system.Anyway, if you're into serious cooling and overclocking, the FX-57 might be a bit better than the FX-55. 90nm vs. 130nm I believe, so hopefully it does better. I just can't see dropping $1000 for a single threaded CPU, though. A 4000+ San Diego does almost as well at half the cost, even with overclocking.
composer - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
I don't get it? A AMD64 3200 Winny clocks easy at 2.75 with no problems.Why would someone in the know buy such a proc if they can get the same performance for little money?
Also, why can't they get past 3.0 ghz yet? (air cooling, or do we need to wait for .65 nano?
JustAnAverageGuy - Monday, June 27, 2005 - link
Page 1:"But as we have mentioned time and time again, steadily increasing clock speed over time is a loosing proposition. "
'losing'
Those macro buttons are getting overused. It's the same text in every review, just different charts. :)
Sunbird - Monday, June 27, 2005 - link
The FX-57 is still being called a FX-55 in the Doom3 graphs.Cygni - Monday, June 27, 2005 - link
Oh, in other news, the only thing i felt missing was Dual core results. Could have deffinitly been used.Cygni - Monday, June 27, 2005 - link
Its a speedbump review... i dont think AT, or anybody else, really gives a shit.cryptonomicon - Monday, June 27, 2005 - link
uh, they used the dfi ultra-d to overclock right?else, that is just retarded.