AMD Phenom II X6 1090T

The 3.2GHz Phenom II X6 1090T lags behind Intel's six-core behemoth. Previously codenamed Thuban, the 1090T is a 45nm part, while Intel's 980X has been shrunk down to the 32nm process. Where the 980X offers a 12MB L3 cache for improved memory management between multithreaded applications, the 1090T offers only 6MB. And AMD's technology doesn't address Intel's much touted Hyper Threading technology, which turns their six-core processor into twelve available cores for applications to dabble with.


By most measures, Intel's six-core processor is the superior part. But in typical AMD fashion, what the Phenom II X6 1090T lacks in raw power, it makes up for with a tantalizingly competitive price: the 1090T can be had for as little as $300. By comparison, Intel's admittedly superior silicon comes with a $1000 price tag, making it virtually inaccessible for many enthusiasts. And that's assuming you already have a compatible motherboard. The 1090T offers drop-in support with existing AM3 and AM2+ socket motherboards, after a BIOS upgrade. The 980X, by contrast, requires the LGA 1366 socket.

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