Best AM3 CPU
This article explores four of the best AM3 CPUs currently available on the market.
Whether you’re a fanatical gamer or just getting started, we’re sure you already know just how expensive gaming processors can be, which is where AM3 CPUs come into the mix. Introduced by AMD, they’re an affordable alternative that connects to the AM3 slot, hence the name.
The only problem? Choosing the right one. With so many options on the market, sorting the best from the rest is no mean feat, which is why we’ve done it for you. Below, you’ll find four of the best AM3 CPUs currently available to buy, as well as an informative section to make sure you make the right choice for you.
Our Top Picks
No items found.
In-depth Review
Phenom II X6 1100T
Phenom II X6 1100T
If you’re a PC enthusiast looking for an AM3 CPU that will offer you plenty of cores at an affordable price point, the Phenom II X5 1100T is a great option to consider.
Released back in 2010, the Phenom II X6 1100T is one of the best AM3 CPUs on the market, despite being over 10 years old. Known as the ‘flagship’ CPU, it based on AMD’s six-core Thuban die architecture, made on a 45 nm die process, features a 512K core, and even offers an extra 6MB of shared cache memory.
Made via the AM3 platform and in line with other AMD’s desktop chips, the Phenom II X6 1100T features an AM3 socket and supports DDR3 memory. Offering a zippy performance, the 1100T comes with a base clock of 3.3GHz, which is respectable even by today’s standards, and overclocking ability of up to around 900MHz of its default speed.
Plus, ideal for PC enthusiasts and even gamers looking for a smooth and buffer-free experience, the Phenom II X6 1100T has been built with integrated Turbo Boost technology, that will allow for up to three cores to operate at any one time at a speed of 3.7GHz.
Not only will that help to speed up the overall processor performance, but the smaller increases in operating frequency will also allow for better headroom and control while overclocking, which makes the Phenon II X6 1100T a great all-rounder for PC builders and gamers, alike.
Phenom II X6 1090T BE
Phenom II X6 1090T BE
Next up on our list we have selected the Phenom II X6 1090T BE which, as you’ve probably already guessed, is from the same CPU family as the 1100T!
Just like the 1100T, the Phenom II X6 1090T BE is a multicore processor with each core running at 3.2GHz of clock speed and 6 cores in total. Offering quad-core processing, you can be confident that this CPU will be powerful enough to be able to handle multitasking without too much trouble.
The Phenom II X6 1090T BE has been made on a 45nm production, supports DDR3 memory, and has a core speed of 3.2GHz, which is slightly slower than the Phenom II X6 1100T. Despite that, it has pretty great overclocking headroom, so the 100GHz doesn’t make too much of a difference with regards to performance.
In addition to that, 1100 also features AMD Balanced Smart Cache technology that will be able to uplift both the processor’s efficiency and overall speed. This means that this CPU won’t falter even while operating all types of workloads, so it’s ideal for those wanting to edit videos, play games, and even speed up the overall performance of regular, everyday PC use.
Phenom II X6 1065T
Phenom II X6 1065T
On the search for one of the best AM3 CPU cards for multi-tasking? If you answered yes to that question, the Phenon II X6 1065T should be on your radar.
As part of AMD’s Phenom II X6 lineup, the 1065T was launched way back in 2010. It features the same Thuban architecture used in all of AMD’s Phenom CPUs and utilizes a socket AM3. On top of that, the Phenom II X6 1065T has a 512K cache, plus 6MB of L3 cache, which makes this high-end desktop processor great at handling instructions and data.
At default, its base clock is slightly slower than the other two we have reviewed so far and sits at 2.9 GHz by default. However, it can be boosted up to 3.4 GHz when overclocked, but this will greatly depend on the workload.
In addition to this, AMD has produced the Phenom II X6 1065T on a 45 nm production node using 904 million transistors, which is the same process used to develop the rest of the Phenom II X6 1065T. It also has a TDP of 125W, which means that it will likely require a cooling solution to keep cool.
Nevertheless, the 1065T still offers a great performance by today’s standards and will be able to process many commands and handle large amounts of data with high speeds.
Phenom II X4 980
Phenom II X4 980
Last but certainly not least, we have selected the AMD Phenom II X4 980, which is a part of AMD’s Phenom II X4 series.
With the AMD Phenom II X4 980, you’ll be able to enjoy multicore processing power for a more affordable price, and a performance that rivals higher-end processors. Despite its age, the Phenom II X4 980 is still relevant today and features four cores and a base clock speed of 3.7GHz.
In addition to fast performance, this AM3 CPU also supports overclocking. The Phenom II X4 980 can be overclocked to around 4GHz, which means that besides being able to operate multiple applications/software at once, it’s also great for playing games and watching TV shows without any buffering.
Techwise, it features an integrated 128-bit wide memory controller that will be able to support both DDR2 memory up to 1066Mhz, as well as DDR3 memory up to a maximum of 1333Mhz. It also has a maximum 125-watt TDP, which means that this processor may be prone to overheating.
Plus, for better overall speed, this X4 processor comes with a number of technologies like HyperTransport Bandwidth and Integrated Memory Control. Unlike the X6 processors, this one also features innovative CoolCare technology, which has been included by AMD to help lower the chance of overheating.
Thanks to that, it means that this processor will be able to exert better energy consumption and power wastage, meaning that though this processor will still likely require a separate cooling solution, it won’t require an expensive, heavy-duty one.
Though this processor will likely struggle to withstand the demands of latest-generation games, considering its age we find it hard to use that against it. If paired with a powerful RAM and GPU alongside your PC setup, you’ll still achieve great fps and framerates. Given its age, this processor is still really great value for money and offers a powerful, reliable performance.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
Final Word
By taking a look at the best AM3 CPUs currently available to buy, it’s easy to see why the AM3+ platform has stood the test of time. Not only are they deemed to be one of the more affordable processor alternatives on the market, but these CPUs offer a similar performance to higher-quality processors with regards to cores, overclocking capabilities, and speed.
Though they offer great value, AM3 CPUs do come with a few downsides, with the most common issues being overheating and large power consumption. Despite that, AMD’s Phenom series is a great line of AM3 CPUs and offers some of the best value on the market, not to mention an inexpensive and reliable performance.
If you still need a little help choosing between the four, we think that the Phenom II X6 1100T is a great all-around choice that will cater to plenty of gaming needs. It powerful enough to offers smooth performance and is suitable for overclocking, not to mention offering the best value for money out of them all.
So, there you have it. We hope that from reading this review, you can see how much AM3 CPUs are still relevant today, and how much of a great option they are for those looking to save money. What did you think of our AM3 CPU review? We’d love to hear your thoughts over on our community.