Yes, another two AMD processors have arrived. It's good to see that AMD is back on track, and it's even better to see new dual-core processors based on the latest architecture.

Now first and foremost I have to make something really clear, our test procedures are really extremely focused on multiple core performance. We have designed a test suite showing the advantage of multiple cores. So for the benchmarks shown today, the dual-core processors will always have a bit of a disadvantage since we have a lot of processors in our charts with three or more physical CPU cores.

Both processors are little gems though and sure, this is exactly what the doctor ordered. The Athlon II X2 250 at 3.0 GHz will be available for 87 USD and performs above the Athlon X2 7750/7850 processors. At that price they kick major ass for the money really. Anyone adopting a budget or mid-range PC build, well... this processor will do everything you need it to do well, really well for that kind of money.

However, if you chip in 15 USD more you can pick up the new Phenom II X2 550 BE at 3.1 GHz for just 102 USD, and as stated in many of my reviews... I just really like the Phenom II architecture. It has a lot of cache, a lot of performance for the money and is an extremely tweakable processor.

For AMD this means this is the fastest dual-core processor to date, and for that 102 USD it is just a really okay processor running all the latest applications and games just fine and dandy. Realistically the difference in-between the X2 250 and X2 550 performance wise is roughly 10%. The one thing that this article showed was that for gamers, the Phenom II X2 processor definitely is the way to go.

More interesting I find to be the fact that the Phenom II X2 550 BE is coming awfully close in performance to the 165 USD Core 2 Duo E8400 processor from Intel.

Tweaking then, with each update of AMD Overdrive I get more impressed. And by adding this tidbit in the conclusion I just wanted to give a thumbs up to the AOD development team. AOD is growing to become the best tweak tool by far. Very impressive, fairly user-friendly and very diverse. Thanks to that tool, you'll get more out of your PC infrastructure. We only had enough time for a tweaking session with the Phenom II X2 550... and we took that processor to 3700 MHz 100% stable, on an air cooler.

So in closing, the AMD 790 motherboards in combo with AMDs Athlon II X2 250 processor are just lovely. And the all new Phenom II X2 550 BE processor is just downright interesting. Though deep in my heart I would recommend you to go for a X3 720BE processor or Phenom II quad-core processor, I also can't deny that not everybody can spend more than 100 USD on a processor. And that's exactly the soft spot for these new dual-core processors. If you want decent affordable dual-core performance, I'd go for the Athlon X2 250. However, if you like a little more bite and overclocking appeals to you, then it's a no brainer... the Phenom II X2 550BE is what you should get.

We like what AMD is bringing to the table lately, and whatever your choice is... you will not be disappointed.

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