AMD FX-8350 (AM3+) Piledriver Processor Review

As with all new product launches from AMD, as journalists we’re invited to events or web conferences or phone conference or sometimes just sent a presentation detailing information on the product(s) in question and generally you’ll see us sharing this information with our readers, as the old saying goes; a picture paints a thousand words.

First up we find an X-ray view of the processors layout showing the 8 piledriver cores and how the L2 and L3 cache is split up. In terms of specifications, we find the processor built on 32nm technology, consisting of 1.2 billion transistors and coming in skus containing 4, 6 and 8 cores

The above image was obviously based upon the flagship FX-8350 that we’re looking at today, but taking a closer look at the whole lineup, we can see the full specifications including what Intel based processors they are competing against. In our case, we have the 8350 which consists of 8 cores clocked at 4GHz and contains 8MB of L3 cache for those more intensive applications. You can see that the FX-8350 is to compete against the i5-3570k and in terms of specifications and pricing, the 8350 comes out on top.

Some of the main points that AMD want to highlight on these processors, is the fact that it’s their first 4GHz processor to be released, features up to 8 cores and that you will find that the whole range of FX processors using the Piledriver core are fully unlocked allowing the user to maximise performance through use of overclocking.

In terms of the chipset, you will be able to run the new processors on the AM3+ socket, of which we’re told will be around for a little longer still, and a simple BIOS update should see you harnessing the full potential of the processing power from the FX CPUs. Just as the slide suggests, we will be using ours with the Asus Crosshair V Formula, which features the 990FX chipset.