Test: Phenom II X3 720 2,8Ghz "Black Edition" UK

Summary

We have made no less than 130 graphs for this test, so instead of commenting on them individually, the focus will be more general and presume that all graphs have been looked through. For starters we can conclude that that Core i7 has a performance advantage compared to the Phenom II clock by clock, which is however not overwhelming. Even though we were advised to test the CPU on an AM2 motherboard due to childs diseases in the AM3 boards that are on the market at the moment, we still found it interesting to at least try it. We ended up with better FPS in games and a higher score in 3dMark Vantage, Sisoft Sandra, Cinebench and Everest. When we increased the speed on the DDR3 RAM from 1333 MHz to 1600 MHz, there was not really any difference, and we presume this is where the so called childs diseases are hidden in the AM3 BIOS.

If one is still not entirely comfortable with a CPU with 3 cores, because one would think it sounds like a weak quadcore, then we can with these tests conclude that this is not true at all. One pays for 3 cores, the system finds them, uses them and in all the programs and games we tested, did it not once show, that only 1 or 2 cores were used (apart from singlecore programs such as SuperPi), or in other ways been an unexplained performance drop. Furthermore this model is with unlocked multipliers, so you get maximum value out of it, even on a motherboard that can not or will not overclock. 
 

Innovation/Technology - 5
The production size has dropped from 65nm to 45nm, which has brough alot of meaningful optimizations of AMD's tri- and quadcores with it. The most interesting and important change is the improved ability to overclock. The performance compared to the old Phenom is another meaningful optimization point, and let us not forget, that despite testing the AM3 CPU in an AM3 motherboard in a half done BIOS, we still managed to get more performance out of the processor, so the DDR3 optimization is fully justified. Something that is even more amazing with the AM3, is the compability with AM2, which makes an upgrade of the CPU possible with great advantage for most AM2 and AM2+ users, who does not have to invest in a new motherboard, or new expensive DDR3 RAM for that matter.

Performance - 4
It is not hard to see that Core i7 is ahead in most of our tests, but it has not proven itself stronger in gaming, where Phenom II actually was ahead in most tests when it comes to minimum FPS; a point which is vital regarding experiencing lag in games. The theoretical performance of the Core i7 is higher, but the question is if you will ever be able to use this extra power as a private consumer. Of course there will always be applications which favour one over the other, and if someone uses an application which is strongly favoured by one of them, the choice has already been made on those grounds, and then the price is not as important. For others we have to assume that value for money plays a big part. 

Price - 5

$145, or around DKK 856,- is the price of the Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition. The Core i7 might be better overall, but in the tests we have done, which should cover the vast majority of stress-tests for a CPU, we managed to make the graph above, which calculates the performance (red) versus the price(blue). The graph is made based on the clock-by-clock test, where all CPU's were running at 3 GHz. Furthermore it has to be noted, that the numbers for the Core i7 is taken from the triple channel 6 GB results. The performance difference between the X3 720 BE and the i7 920 is 30%, while the price is a staggering 142% higher on the Core i7. Almost 1½ times price increase! In other words there is not a shadow of a doubt, that you get most value for money when purchasing a Phenom II, and that is the reason for the top grade in this category.

Test: Phenom II X3 720 2,8Ghz "Black Edition" UK

Innovation / Teknologi	5
Ydelse	4
Pris	5
Samlet	93%