VR-Zone

INPAI have reviewed AMD's upcoming entry-level quad core CPU, the Athlon II X4 620, clocked at 2.6 GHz. As we know, Athlon II X4 based on the Propus die, are simply Phenom II X4 without the large 6MB L3 cache. As a result, the Propus die ends up far smaller, and cheaper for AMD to manufacture. This also represents the first time a quad core CPU is reaching the entry-level, around the $120 mark.

The review features comparisons to Intel's cheapest quad core CPU, the Core 2 Quad Q8200, clocked at 2.33 GHz with 4MB L2 cache. The Q8200 is priced at least $25 more than the Athlon II X4, and with the Athlon's complete lack of L3 cache, serious performance hits were expected, especially in the gaming arena.

Surprisingly, the Athlon II X4 pulls through beating the Q8200 comfortably in most tests. Gaming was a bit of a relative weak point for the Athlon II X4, but it matched the Q8200 very closely. Great value for a CPU costing significantly less. In addition, the Athlon II X4 overclocks remarkably well - a full 1+ GHz over stock clocks in the review -  contrasted with the Q8200's limited overclocking potential.

The Athlon II X4 620 has been listed for nearly 2 weeks now in European e-tailers, as we reported, and is now available at Newegg for $125.99, with prices expected to drop further.

After a long wait, this finally brings a quad core CPU to the entry level - ending up cheaper than all Intel's dual cores, except the Pentium Dual-Cores and the Core 2 Duo E7500. Faster Athlon II X4s, as well as 45W versions will be arriving soon, along with the triple core Athlon II X3, which have one core disabled. While AMD will no doubt be overshadowed by the superb Lynnfield Core i5/i7 in the performance segment, their hopes in the more popular entry-level segments are well and truly alive.

Reference: INPAI