Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition - AM3 CPU Review

[lasarousi]

question, will this support a gts 450? im planing to get a new pc with this gpu but i still dont know the rest of the parts.

[EnzoG4MING]

could you please please please do a review of an amd b73 i have not seen 1 review of this processor due to its rarity

[mikee1333]

Hello can you tell me whats going on i have this prosscer and have a 6.8 4gb ddr3 5.9 and intergrated graphics 4.8

[mareno395]

i have this one and its good

[cyberholix]

Best. Processor. EVER.

[RebornLegacy]

I thought it ws FEEEEE NOM, wtf dude you say

[hellowsaw]

1280 x 1024 is not max. u should aleast try 1680

[DoomTra1n]

@hellowsaw on that monitor it probably was, 2 years ago. It looks like a 4:3 monitor not a 16:9.

[Saschir94]

PCWizKid can you test the AMD Phenom II X3 740 ? pls

[PoeHopIn74]

what software do you use to get the core temp?

and what did you do to make the cpu running at 100% so you could see the temps during that?

i just did a new build and i would like to do some tests.

[Cezz624]

Do you need an hd monitor to use this processor?

[BigGR0X]

@Cezz624 nope, you can pretty much use any monitor with any CPU depending on what you want to do, for gaming with this CPU you might not want to go over 19inch tho but that also depends on your graphics card

[Cezz624]

@BigGR0X ok thanks, I asked this because while I was on AMD's website, I checked on Phenom 2 and it said you need an hd monitor.

[Jormungandr69]

nice processor

[magicus3000]

would an upgrade from an Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core ~2.19 ghz

to this processor make sense?

[misterpc23]

@magicus3000 yes, very large increase in performance. I may be getting this cpu relatively soon (a week) and ill probably throw up a video on how high i could get it and how to install it. And probably some bench marks

[Poseidon500]

@magicus3000 YES!

But good luck finding one.

[DannyQ2009]

I have unlocked and overclocked mine to Phenom II X4 20 @ 3,4GHz (1.500V)

[ja195]

Does it support ddr2 under 1066Mhz

[misterpc23]

@ja195 it should, i had the 950 BE and it ran fine with my 400Mhz DDR2 haha,

[ArksGir]

@no1Reality  nop not imposible check this out:

[no1Reality]

@PCWIZKID

Were you see 3.4Ghz ?

2:28

you sucker

[rsman169]

@no1Reality That AMD program never reads freq correctly. 3Dmark06 shows it's 3.4ghz @ 2:45

[wasssabio]

this or the athlon x4 3.0 ghz?

[ArksGir]

Got it Unlocked Bios Named it to Phenom II X4 20 @ 4.40 Gzh With an Cooler Master TX 33º Idle 43 Full Load runing on a Gigabyte MA78LM-S2 With 4 Gb DDR2-1066 Ati HD 5750 Windows 7 Ultimate 1 WD Caviar Blue 160 & a Seagate Barracuda 400GB

[no1Reality]

@ArksGir inposible

[mellovicious]

hai i need help. im considering to buy this proc. wats the best and cheapest mobo should i buy for this proc?

[nictherocker]

@mellovicious just find a motherboard with AM3 proc support and look for features that you want on your motherboard then find the cheapest price for it online

[av3nger3]

Actually, it's gigawatts.

[Theravhard]

hey man where did u get the tools!! software for the amd processer

[ALGES1982]

i have

ozc fatalty1 550w

in amd Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition

ddr3 1333

ati 4780

artic frezer xtrem in cpu

[no1Reality]

@ALGES1982 omg ?!

I have Phenom II x4 925@3.780Mhz,

5gig DDR1333

Gigabyte UD3P mobo,Asus HD5750 formula...................

[MrCr80man]

So, If I understand you correct, I have to overclock to use the 4th core?

[BiG420SMOkeR415]

is this card high end?

[HeyItsMeDaniel]

@BiG420SMOkeR415 yea the 4870 x2 is very high end.

Its 2 years old but still today its very powerfull. x2 means there are chips on the card, just like the Ati Radeon HD 5970 has.

[oipluckie]

i have a xigmatek dark knight running at around 36*c max load, but I've seen comparison reviews with the V8 and the Dark knight has done better in most reviews. I have a x3 720 (OC'd 3.2ghz) and the ambient room temp is like 23-24*C, and was wondering does that temperature seem to be normal to you?

Thinking maybe i should get a different front fan to minimize the max load.

[ertai222]

how the hell is your pc so cool, crazy?!?!?!

[mripod22]

im concidering getting this processor but i dont know if i need to get a new PSU to run it with my mobo my specs are

MOBO: MSI 785GT-E63

PSU: 450w

GPU: GeForce 7300 GT

HHD1: Samsung 120Gb

HDD2: WD 500Gb

[PCWizKid]

@mripod22 you should be ok with that.

[mripod22]

@PCWizKid thanks

[DaixKun]

@mripod22 you sure dude? i dont think you would see much of a difference in gaming, assuming its for gaming, if your sticking with that 7300gt

[arx117]

@mripod22

i'm already have this CPU and very satisfied because i not having problem since i unlock the fourth core. surprisingly mine Phenomii it's more cooler than before unlock.

[secreamia]

if i want to overclock this what voltage should i use if my target it 3.0 ghz or 3.2 ghz?

[MrGrebbi]

I love amd for allowing people with am2+ mobos to use these new cpu releases. Ofc future cpu releases will require a more powerful mobo. :)

[WolvesDominationGR]

It's better than Q9550? OMG! It's very good.

[Agremen]

Amd ftw!

[Vecchiodiesel]

Una Cpu veramente FANTASTICA! Very very Good.

[onyachamp]

drop the multi and raise the htt

[chrisfur2]

should i get this one or the weakest phenom II x4?

[chrisfur2]

@chrisfur2 the phenom II 925

[panzertankman]

Upgrading from a 7750 be, is it worth it to pay $50 more for quad core or buy this for $100?-newegg

[SylentCommando]

do you know what the stock voltage is for the 720?

[SylentCommando]

was that the stock voltage on your overclock, or were you running auto in the bios. i have mine running at 3.40ghz i am runing voltage at auto in amd overdrive it says 1.325 volts and in cpu-z it goes from 1.392 V,1.408v 1.424, which is the right voltage? core temp also says 1.3250v aswell. i am confused and need help. i wanna overclock it more.

[PCWizKid]

@SylentCommando I set the BIOS settings manually, the voltage is not on auto on mine.

[BurnedMurloc]

@SylentCommando cpu-z will give the right voltage in your scenario, if you lower or increase voltages, overdrive and core temp will sya its 1.325V (stock voltage) while it isn't, if you would run a strees test with a voltage that is too low your system will shutdown, if it really was 1.325V like all previous times it shouldn't shut down =P

[mrblackout2000]

AMD over heats alot and if it over heats too much then it crash's.. ha ha get intel it rocks.

[Ubikzz]

what is the price for the pc you used for the benchmarks? Could I get a better one (is it worth) with a budget of 800€-1000€ (screen included)?

thx man

[TehCacti]

my intel atom gets 6 fps max on world of warcraft on lowest detail

[OmfgWallHaxz]

Is the phenom ii x4 925 the exact same CPU as this x3 720 with an unlocked core?

[chrhadden]

i have one of these and i really like it.i was able to unlock a 3rd core and over clock it to 3.4. its been two months still running well.max temp when im gaming (on stock amd cooler)around 54 c.

[GaNgStAlBeRt]

HOW CAN I LOOK AT THE ""BENCHMARKS"" ??

[ziweiwu]

If my athelon II 620 is L3 unclockable , which one is better, my 620 or this? for gaming

[mitsostsagka]

@ziweiwu I have the Athlon II X4 620 too! I think this Ohenom is better...

[theShark207]

i think 620 is better, because its more and more softwares are creating for quad-core cpu.

[mitsostsagka]

That's why you think is better? Because more and more games and softwares work with Quad Cores?

[theShark207]

@mitsostsagka thats right!)

[hammer280]

this, unlock the 4 core.  then crazy overclocking!

[MicroScope888]

1.21 JIGAWATTS!!

[recepesek]

How could you see you systeem benchmarks?

[AsgardianMight]

I'm going to be getting a new PC soon, but due to budget constraints, I have to choose between two options:

1) Phenom II X3 720 BE with Coolermaster V8; or

2) Phenom II X4 955 on stock cooling.

Any advice?

[AsgardianMight]

Oh and as a further note, this'll be my first gaming rig so I don't have any experience with overclocking at all..

[AsgardianMight]

Thanks all. Went with 2), although I was lucky enough to find a 965 for the same price. Time to start saving for a V8.

[epinky2295]

I would get the Phenom II X3 BE with the Coolermaster V8... you can OC that to equal the Phenom X4 and probably go higher.... NEVER rely on stock cooling

[muiecopyright]

get the 955 and when you get some cash buy a new cooler.

[acastars]

@AsgardianMight You can take 720 with v8 and unlock 4th core and clock it on 4ghz with voltage increase and wait 5-6 months for PHENOM II X6 or go with 955 with stock and wait till X6 anyway u cant make wrong.

[1mper1alGuardsMen]

@AsgardianMight

2) better

[freaktube4]

yes duhh

[kidowner]

well i5 mobos are a hell alot more expensive.. if u want a great mobo u spend like $200 atleast while an AMD setup the best mobo there is for AM3 socket is less than $200 (im not in america, im in europe so i dont know if im correct on the prices

[Xelvielll]

yeah i dont even fuck with intel anymore

you can build a am3 rig, for less than 600 dollars.

am3 sli motherboards are sub 100$

if you would've said that 50 years ago you would've been jailed for slander

[kidowner]

sli? amd has SLI? since when? 0o

[Xelvielll]

@kidowner uh dude theres tons of amd motherboards that are hybrid sli (allows u to sli the integrated card with a onboard card)

Mainly the AM3 ones

[kidowner]

really? 0o name me a few? (i know what hybrid SLI means :P)

[kidowner]

lol? an i5 would be like $200 more than an AMD setup

[cjgan80]

i just used the Phenom ii x2 550 , then ill tweek it to do Quad Core =D

[freaktube4]

learn a bit of english

[jakool24]

Well thanks for sharing... Dumbass (:

[PatVRulz]

would i be able to unlock the 4th core with the Asus M3a78 mobo? It has the SB700 South Bridge and the 780V Northbridge!

[Costerguy1234556]

Have u tried unlocking the 4 core?

[Ma2DaEL]

I did. It works But not on all batches. It depends on batches. Those new batches i cant unlock them but the 1st batch i did.

[Costerguy1234556]

Ok so should i just get an x4?

[Ma2DaEL]

depends on your situation. If you aim for overclocking. i prefer the X3 720BE as i managed to get it to 4Ghz. after i unlock the 4th core, it seems to stuck at 3.8Ghz.

[bayandsl]

what is your operating system mine is windows xp 32bit

[urmomowns]

What BIOS do I need to unlock the 4th core on this processor if I decide to get it?

[chessman1e4]

The capability of unlocking the 4th core depens of the southbridge, not the bios.

You should look for any motherboard with the 710 or 750 southbridge

[urmomowns]

I have an sb710 south bridge. But I havent seen an option in the BIOS... then again Im using an athlon 64 x2. Would the option pop up if I installed this tri core?

[SHNICI82]

ok but this "open 4th core" work whit mb790sb (MSI-790FX-GD70) ???

Thx

[chessman1e4]

That motherboard has a 750 sb, so, the ublocking is possible.

@urmomowns: I strongly suggest to ask the experts. Try the Techreport forums (or other technews site forum) and you'll surelly get an accurate answer.

[Harveyum]

Hey PCWizKid, can you please make a Video on How to Overclock this CPU on the Bios? Please Help me, I also have the cooler Master V8 CPU Cooler.. Thanks

[jlpogi23]

this cpu or the Athlon II x3 435??

[PCWizKid]

@jlpogi23, the Phenom II X3 720 for sure.

[jlpogi23]

will that extra L3 cache do alot for an extra 40 bucks?

[PCWizKid]

@jlpogi23, its more than just the L3 cache, its a Phenom core also and overclocked better.

[jlpogi23]

okay that's gonna get one now :D

[heflys20]

I'm was thinking of getting this thing, but was wondering if I should just get the Athlon II instead. Glad to be reassured that this is significantly more powerful. Just wish it worked with my crap motherboard! Oh, well.

[workensmart]

@PCWizKid I have a question about ganged and unganged mode. What is the difference?. Which the better mode to use? I was reading that ganged mode is better for gaming and unganged is better for multitasking. I know its a feature thats only on AMD systems. I have a 720BE over clocked to 3.4ghz and I have 6 gigs of corsair XMS2 DDR2 800mhz 5-5-5-18. Will I see any difference between the two modes?.

[devil952]

Hey friend I subscribed to your wonderful channel. I was wondering if I could ask you about an upgrade to this cpu I was planning.

my current spec:

AMD 64X2 4800+ @ 2.5ghz

windows 7 32bit

XFX 9800GT 512mb GDDR3

3gb DDR2 800mhz

I wonder will I see noticable improvement in running more applications, and also I think my current cpu is bottle necking my 9800. Would my gaming performance improve also?

Merry Christmas and kind regards,

Devil952

[a7x5631]

To put it short and simple, yes it would be a pretty big improvement. And, I've had an 8800gt (same as 9800gt) and my Phenom 1 x3 @ 2.4 was bottlenecking it, so I would say yes but not too bad.

[halfpol]

9800gt 1-6%>8800gt

[playergame06]

okay lol.............

[mentanx]

dude can i unlock the 4th core in this motherboard: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO

[BohleyK]

if it has an S750 southbridge and the correct BIOs, yes

[mentanx]

thanks you just sav'd me 20 bucks

[nmarkus666]

I did it out of the box with SB710

[WorldIndustriesWWE]

Is AMD or Intel better?

[xchlppprsx]

it has been proven that intel has the better performance, but for a much higher cost, so AMD has better price value. if you have the money to spend and wouldnt have a problem doing so, go intel, if you are cost conscious, there are plenty of cheaper AMD chips (like this one in the video) that run great, i happen to use this processor and its great

[urmomowns]

AMD is ushally a better value. So better per dollar, but if your looking to buy the best of the best intel is better, I think the i7s beat the phenom iis. But I would double check that last thing I said because Im not 100 percent sure. But I am sure that AMD is a better value.

[ikcti]

I got this and it bottlenecks my HD 5850, Uggghhh, not good in benches but at least it's good for gaming.

[PCWizKid]

@ikcti, how much did you overclock the 720?

[ikcti]

No OC. I will soon...

[AJATOMICA]

i just got this cpu but havnt had the chance to install it or even put all the parts for my new pc together but i hope to in the next day or so, what overclock do you think i can get with the stock cooler?

i know what mobo i use helps im gonna be using a giggabite ultra durable 3 that has some overclocking features that only work with a black edition cpu

[AtgreatR9]

is this cpu better than AMD Athlon II X4 620 2.6GHz ?? pls help which one to buy

[DowShino678]

Gaming = X3

Working , Cutting Videos and a bit of Gaming = X4

[BohleyK]

the athlon x4 620 benchmarks better but because its a quad. if you can unlock the 720 it will kill the athlon

[AtgreatR9]

thanks. i think i will wait another month then buy phenom 2 955 3.2 ghz

[vidfreak101]

i meant HD4890

[vidfreak101]

OK thanks alot! im gona get an ECS A785GM-M and this time with a ATI Radeon HD2890 since both cards are about the same.

oh and is the Phenom II X3 720 similar to the Core 2 Quad Q8400 or better? Thanks for your help! :D

[evilhugbear]

I recommend the AMD Phenom II X4 955, if you want something similar to the Q8400

[vidfreak101]

Well i was thinking of unblocking the 4th core.. andnow im getting the GTX 275 card :D

[67CopperHead]

@evilhugbear Q8400 ant even simler to the x4 955 not even close becuse it smokes the Q9550 and Qx9650 and compeats with the i7s

[vidfreak101]

hey i got a question...

im building myself an AMD with Phenom II X3 BE and an Nvidia GTX 275. Well thing is that i dont know what MotherBoard to choose i got a list of a few possible ones but dont know if theyre the right ones here they are:

MSI K9A2 CF

ECS A790GXM-A

Asus M3A78-EM

Asus M4N78 Pro

what i really want to know if they support the setup im making.

[PCWizKid]

@vidfreak101 , all the boards work fine for what you need, but I recommend you get the board that supports AM3 and DDR3 memory, not DDR2.

[springsxj]

Am I the only one that calls it "Phee NOM"? Like 'phenomenal'?

[ivan134]

ur not alone lol

[ck558985]

is it just me. or does this processor have heating issues?

[madzane94]

that phenom x3 cud probably unlock to x4

[madzane94]

idk what to do, i hav a p45 board, but it doesn't make sense i get a corfe 2 quad with 775.. so i'm gonna hav to go with i7 or phenom 2....i'm on a budget***

[Zolofgonnakillallya]

I know the parts I want, but which Processor would be better?

a e8400 or a low end i7?

I might do some overclocking too.

[jmontague]

just get a amd quad or a core 2 quad the 9xxx series will be good for you and save you money

[thore022]

i7 will be better by a margin.

[lUvZwArCrAfT]

does this AM3 cpu work on a AM2+ socket

[rampageturke]

yes but you might need to update the bios

[casiopilot]

he just sad so

[warrior5496]

Can someone tell me a good mATX mobo that will be really stable/and can oc this CPU and still be stable?

Reason for a mATX is cause my old pc case is mATX so eh, I have my eyes set on a mobo that's a gigabyte and has 2 GPU slots, and 4 ddr3 dimm slots.

[showmetheinuyasha]

You should check out newegg(dot)com. They got awesome reviews for the MOBO's. I landed on a gigabyte board GA-MA785G-UD3H. It's really nice but I am not sure if it will fit the phenom II x3 720 BE CPU I am getting.

[amundead]

Made In Malaysia!!!

[OKaeporaGaeboraO]

I need your guy's opinions. I'm on a bubget and I'm wondering if I should stick with the Phenom II x3 720 or go for a Phenom II x4. SO basically is the extra money worth it?

[peoplez129]

get the x3. if you get the proper mobo and you're lucky, you can unlock the 4th core. I just bought an X3 720 AM3 from newegg at 120...the x4 is about 180. why pay 60 more for one extra core? the 4th core doesn't add but maybe 15% more performance gain. not really worth paying 50% more for a 15% gain. the third core itself only adds about 35% over dual cores. an x3 will last you for a while and they run cooler with better overclock ability.

[OKaeporaGaeboraO]

thanks for the advice

[AtgreatR9]

can this cpu work with ddr3 1600 mhz if i have am3 MB

[peoplez129]

yes, as long as your motherboard supports 1600. a few support only 1333 at the highest, and a few support the 1600 for OC'ing. They even have 2000mhz memory for AM3.

[AtgreatR9]

thanks man.

i will buy this x3 or maybe x4 because its cheap and support ddr3 ram.

[Auslongrange]

Will this CPU work with an AM3 board?

[OKaeporaGaeboraO]

Ithink there is an AM3 specific version

[UICPatrick]

Hey I have a quick question for you

PCWizKid. I watched the review on the Dual Core 550 BE and then I watched this review. Now for a budget gaming system, what would bring the best results? The 550 BE could have 4 cores unlocked and easily hit the high 3.x mark and the triple core could have 4 cores as well. At only $19 more than the 500 BE is the 720 the way to go?

Thanks

[PCWizKid]

@UICPatrick , unlocking cores is a gamble and not guaranteed, your better off getting the X3 720 instead.

[PCWizKid]

@UICPatrick , well everyones PC is different, it was fast for me at 3.4ghz

[PatVRulz]

for a performance gaming rig? Which do you think? Phenom ii x3 720 BE 2.8ghz, or Phenom ii x4 810 2.6ghz? i heard that both can be clocked to 3.0ghz easy, but i want more cores, for games that support many cores?

[PCWizKid]

@PatVRulz, watch my video review on the phenom II x4 810, I got it working very well, and is faster than than the x3 720, however the 720 is much cooler!

[PatVRulz]

so this will be fast enough if oc'd? I want at lest 3ghz, b/c il be gamin' and such

[peoplez129]

this is fast enough when its NOT OC'd. the OC is just a delightful perk. I think this guys games were more limited in FPS by his video card than the processor.

[SHNICI82]

Hi and from me ^^ The CPU its realy good !!! I have it .., on my MSI-790FX-GD70, its stable .., but dont know why .. I cant OC it :/ I up it just to 208 FSB (MAX) and nothing more, my "auto-MAX FSB" from the motherboard dont work properly :/ and when I start to OC the CPU all freeze and do nothing. What's wrong whit my options cant understand .

But all other in it its great .., the CPU rly its good and cheap for all performens

Greatings: SHNICI - Joro

[btbameu]

When you OC the cpu are you raising the voltage a bit? For me, I had to up the voltage to 1.4 to get it running at 3.5ghz, if I left the voltage at default it would crash

[peoplez129]

lets not forget that this is a low wattage cpu, it is a quad core at heart but with triple core voltage settings, so it is logical to have to up the voltage on a good high OC, even if temps arent a problem.

[macbook56]

Cool, I have mine OCed @ 3.6GHz and around 30C no load, around 40-45 after a couple hours of prime.

[crazyspooks10]

Im confused... some people say you can "unlock" another core. How does that work... Also i look at processors and some have "hyper threading", but on newegg i dont see the specs saying "hyperthreading support" or anything similar. Anyones welcome to answer my question... this processor also good for editing?

[d24tdi]

some guy's got big cars.. we guy's got MONSTER PC!!!!!!!

[Dad086]

well, he said that it doesnt' accept DDR3 memory....why?

If you use an AM3 motherboard you can only use DDR3 memory.

The CPU has nothing to do with the memory.

[PCWizKid]

@Dad086, Hi, not sure what you are talking about. I mentioned in my video that it ACCEPTS DDR3 memory aswell as DDR2, but the motherboard I used for testing only accepts DDR2 in this case.

[bigdima3]

shiiiit , what a great temps

[donkeyboy2k7]

will be overclocking this when i get it, so i might buy a better cooler or keep standard cooling but what do i set everything to? e.g 3.5GHz, i want it to be stable but on stock cooling, what do i put my bus speed, voltage and everything to? thanks

[secreamia]

=D i have that overclocked to 3 !

[SimplyCarLo]

I upgraded to this CPU because of your review.. Three is the perfect spot. I hope AMD will keep making triple-cores in the future. They're very, very good for their value and for the money...

[xboX121212]

im looking for an AMD processor that is able to run GTA IV (without Lag and i have a good GPU)

i dont want the 920 ore 940 ore above thats over Budged.

[PS3andPCgamereviews]

From what i've seen from PCwizkid's benchmarks. the Phenom II x4 810 looks good. Overclocks nice too!

[xboX121212]

Yes my friend i Agree on that indeed verry easy and cool ;)

[PS3andPCgamereviews]

haha, yup!