AMD 790GX chipset promises best overclocking available for Phenom Black Edition CPUs
AMD officially announced its new AMD 790GX platform today. The 790GX is aimed at the performance computer users and packs in a host of features. One of the main features of the 790GX is advanced overclocking capability when paired with Phenom Black Edition processors.
The 790GX features AMD's Overdrive interface that allows easy overclocking of the Phenom Black Edition processors. The significant performance increase the platform can deliver to gamers using Black Edition processors is thanks to what AMD calls Advanced Clock Calibration technology.
The 790GX platform uses on-board ATI Radeon HD 3300 series graphics. AMD claims that the HD 3300 onboard GPU is the best performing on-board GPU available. AMD backs that claim up with a 3DMark Vantage score in excess of 2900 -- making the HD 3300 the fastest on-board GPU as of August 6, 2008.
In addition to laying claim to the fastest on-board GPU, AMD says that the 790GX also supports Hybrid CrossFireX technology to pair the performance of the on-board GPU with either an ATI Radeon HD 3400 or HD 2400 series discrete video card. The platform also supports CrossFireX for running multiple discrete video cards at once.
VP and general manager of AMD's Chipset Division, Phil Eisler said in a statement, "Today’s high definition, multimedia applications demand powerful graphics and multi-core processor performance and only AMD is delivering a truly balanced platform that accelerates these workloads. The AMD 790GX chipset contains several AMD innovations that further improves both multi-core AMD Phenom processor performance and motherboard ATI Radeon graphics performance, the result of which are versatile performance PCs that deliver an eye-catching visual experience."
The 790GX platform also integrates features for delivering what AMD calls "The Ultimate Visual Experience for HD." The 790GX chipset supports full HD resolution up to 1080p and supports the latest video formats including VC-1, MPEG-2, and H.264. The chipset uses the AMD Unified Video Decoder to offload HD video playback from the CPU to the GPU. AMD says that mainboards using the 790GX chipset will be available for its add-in partners including ASUS, Biostar, DFI, and more.
In early July, AMD introduced new Phenom parts that the 790GX chipset's overclocking capabilities complement perfectly. At that time AMD introduced its fastest Phenom Black Edition ever called the X4 9950 running at 2.6GHz and retailing for $235. AMD reports that Phenom Black Edition processors running at 2.5GHz stock can be pushed to 3.2GHz and over thanks to its new Advanced Clock Calibration.
I realize that the current market situation and business plans of these two companies basically prohibits this from ever happening again, unless of course AMD loses this platform war and reverts to being a second source for Intel components.
