Verdict
AMD's new Phenom X4 9850 is overpriced and outclassed compared to its Intel-based quad-core competition. If PC vendors can use this chip to make cheap systems (as they did with older Phenoms), we might have nicer things to say; but as a DIY part at this price, we can't recommend AMD's latest quad-core CPU... Read Full Review.
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier allows overclocking
- Required motherboard offers minor gaming benefit
- Slightly faster MP3 encoding than Intel
Cons
- Poor overall price/performance ratio
- Faster competing chip from Intel is also overclockable
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