AMD Phenom 2 X4 965 Black Edition

Without any challenge to present at the Core i7 performance level, AMD is trying to pressure Intel in the value segment before their Core i5 CPUs make it to market.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on Aug 2009
4
Cores
4
Threads
3.40 GHz
Base Clock
Socket AM3
Socket
140 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
Release date:Aug 13, 2009Price at Launch:$245
Cores:4Threads:4
Base Clock:3.40 GHzType:Desktop
Multithreading:NoL2 Cache:4 × 512 KB
L3 Cache:6 MBBox Cooler:Yes
TDP:140 WSocket:Socket AM3
Memory Support:DDR3-1333Codename:Deneb (K10)
Process Size:45 nmIntegrated Graphics:No
NPU:NoPCIe Support:PCIe 2.0

Reviews and Ratings

82

Average Score

Based on 17 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Fast stock speed
  • Good performance
  • Works with existing AM2+ motherboards
  • Responds Well To Advanced Cooling Methods
  • Affordable
  • Reverse Compatible
  • Uses both DDR2 or DDR3 RAM
  • 8MB of total cache
  • AMD OverDrive 3.0

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Overclocking
  • High power consumption
  • Hasn't Caught Up To Intel Core i7
  • Lacks the performance of high-end Intel parts
  • Only a minor speed bump over previous-fastest Phenom II

Looking back, quad-core processors have had quite the run already. Intel's first quad-core CPU, the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 was released almost three years ago, with the much more popular Q6600 following up months later at a rather steep $850. As you...

By TechSpot on

Without any challenge to present at the Core i7 performance level, AMD is trying to pressure Intel in the value segment before their Core i5 CPUs make it to market.

By TechSpot on
83

While Intel is rolling out new designs, AMD's focus is on getting the most out of its existing Phenom II process. The AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black edition is just what the doctor ordered....

By PC Authority on
70

AMD has a new flagship desktop CPU in its lineup, the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition. As its name suggests, this chip is virtually identical to the 955 BE it supplants at the top of the Phenom II food chain, save for a couple of noteworthy attributes....

By ComputerPowerUser on
90

It may come as something of a surprise, being that its Phenom CPUs have been AMDs high-end chips ever since they launched at the start of 2008, but its only with the launch of the Phenom II X4 965 BE that AMD has made its fastest ever CPU....

By Trusted Reviews on
90

On that bombshell of a conclusion to the overclocking results, one has to wonder where to start with the overall summary of the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition CPU. I guess we should start with performance, since that’s what people are most...

By FutureLooks on
60

While the 965 BE is pretty quick, and certainly gives the once untouchable Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 a run for its money, we still wouldn't want to use it. A TDP of 140W is silly these days, and your cooler will let you know that every time you use...

By Bit-tech.net on
94

The quad-core AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition processor is the fastest chip to date for the socket AM3 platform, and quite affordable at $265 CDN ($245 USD, £165 GBP). In terms of performance this 3.4GHz chip is slightly quicker in the...

By PCStats on
70

AMD loves sending us samples of their latest chips, whether good or bad it doesnt matter. The Deneb core proved to be just the break they needed to get back in the game and theyve used that to their full advantage. Today we have their fastest quad...

By TechTree on
90

CPU testing consists of more than just synthetic benchmarks, synthetic benchmarks are good for measuring performance differences between CPUs but it doesnt tell you a lot about real life performance. To that end we drove the Phenom 2 X4 965 BE in...

By Bjorn3D on
70

AMD has shown us a Phenom II processor that can go quicker than high-end Intel Core 2 Quads, and it can be applauded for that long-awaited achievement. Trouble is, that wait has been too long and though AMD now offers Core 2 Quad-beating performance,...

By HEXUS.net on
80

There is no doubt that the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition is not a revolutionary step; it is an evolutionary step. However, it is still good to know that AMD is making sufficient advances in their fab processes to continue to bin out enough higher...

By Club Overclocker on