We ran our tests at 4 and 5GHz on an un-optimized Windows 7 64-Bit system. These results are just a guide line for a
similarly configured system. Your results may vary depending on your system components and testing conditions.
Cinebench
11.5
Super Pi 8M
3DMark11
Heaven
Xtreme
Preset
Hard Reset
DX9
Just Cause 2
DX10
Wprime 1024
5GHz/2600NB/2400
Memory
8.64
3m45.249
10334
2059.06
92.2
157.5
209.945
AMD FX 8350 Default
6.95
4m36.885
9809
2041.885
80
142.54
260.832
an unlocked multiplier CPU,
but this clock speed is partly
responsible for the gain in
performance. For power users
and gamers, this is important
because AMD has finally
produced a CPU that is faster
in all titles and applications
than the Phenom II X6
1100T. Be it single threaded
applications or otherwise;
where the CPU may fall short
in IPC it makes up for in
frequency and that combined
with the relatively low TDP
makes this a winner.
The clock speed boost along
with the optimizations at
silicon level has yielded a 7%
to 10% speed boost. It doesn’t
sound like much but in reality
translates very well. You’re
not going to be attempting
global records for Super Pi
or anything for that matter
with this CPU (you may though
try Unigine Heaven Xtreme)
but it makes for a worthwhile
upgrade from any and all
Phenom II CPUs.
Add support for much
higher memory frequencies
(2,400MHz is how we
tested) and you have a fairly
competent part.
AMD positions, in their
slides, the FX 8350 against
INTEL’s Core i5 3570K in
the usual fashion. However,
we’re here to tell you that
this comparison indeed
plausible is to miss the point
entirely of this product.
For overclockers, this CPU
is about those very high
validations (8GHz+) and as
stated earlier, for gamers it’s
about a worthwhile upgrade
from the Phenom II.
Within AMD’s own product
catalogue and history, the
vindication or rather the
appeal of the FX 8350 can be
found without comparisons to
INTEL. It is for this reason that
we omitted any Core i5 3570K
results from our benchmarks.
There’s not much to be
discovered there and factoring
in overclocking would only
skew the results, definitely
not in AMD’s favour. What you
see in our results is the effect
of overclocking this particular
CPU to 5GHz, just 1GHz above
the reference speed.
There are some real gains
to be had from this and even
though many may not bother
with it, we think it’s most
certainly worth a shot. You
will gain performance right
across the board and in some
games (not shown here)
where the frame rates were
in the low 40s, the 5GHz clock
speed allows the system to
render upwards of 50fps, a
marked improvement in game
fluidity and immersion.
Overall we’re fairly
impressed with the FX 8350,
much like we were with the
Phenom II after the debacle
that was Phenom X4. With
the 8350, we had expected
very little and got a little
more. Such products are not
a threat to INTEL’s dominance
but they do keep AMD in the
running. For those invested
in the platform, there is no
reason not to buy this CPU.
It’s the most natural upgrade
path if not the only one
available. With boards like the
ASUS Crosshair Formula-Z
(reviewed in this issue as well)
there’s some good fun to be
had with this CPU.
[ TheOverclocker ]
Would you buy it?
Yes, as its worthwhile
upgrade from an AMD
Phenom II X6 1100T, and
even more so from the
lamentable 8150.
The Score
8.5/10
Issue 22 | 2012 The OverClocker 27