AMD Phenom X3 8750

Test system specs: Gigabyte GA-MA790FX-DQ6; 2GB Super Talent DDR2 (dual-channel); Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT, 80GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7

Specs: Socket AM2+; Clock speed: 2.4GHz; HyperTransport Link: 3.6GHz (full duplex); 65nm process; 95W max TDP

Although PC enthusiasts generally clamor for the fastest, most powerful processor, AMD is attempting to satisfy a different group of computer users with the Phenom X3 8750 triple core processor. The 8750 (and its 8650 and 8450 brethren) are designed to be the basis for multicore systems that can be built for under $500.

You can do the math: a multicore 8750 for $195, an AMD 780G-series motherboard for about $100, and plenty of scratch left over for a decent graphics card (or two?) and a handful of other upgrades.

A sub-$500 system is an interesting idea, but can such a budget-friendly processor pull its weight? The short answer is yes. Although the 8750 didn’t blow anybody’s socks off in benchmark testing, its scores are certainly nothing to sneeze at. And when you consider the price-for-performance you get from this processor, it starts looking like an awfully good deal.

If you’re looking for the Next Big Thing in performance, the X3 8750 is not for you. If, however, you’re one of the millions of computer users who want a machine that is fast and powerful enough to knock out virtually any normal computing task at a rock-bottom price, this triple-core thing is probably right up your alley.

by Seth Colaner