The Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition is fun to screw around with, and for $102 it’ll make a nice processor for some gaming boxes. The Athlon II X2 250, alternatively, will only cost $87, which makes it a deal for budget systems. It’s not a powerhouse but it’s capable enough. This is the kind of chip I’d give my email-checking, Solitaire-playing, YouTube-watching relatives.

Ultimately we were impressed with how cool both processors ran, even when we put the hurt on with a little bit of overclocking. While these chips won’t perform any miracles, our tests today have proven that they do have a few surprises on tap that make them perfect for their market position.



Link: Icrontic