Unlocking the Power of the FX 8350: A Journey of Expectations and Surprises

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Disappointment of the FX Bulldozer Line
3. The Excitement and Mixed Feelings of Upgrading to the FX 8350
4. Waiting for Steamroller and the Reality of AMD's Roadmap
5. The Dilemma of Choosing the FX 8350
6. Preliminary Benchmarks and Expectations
7. Upgrading to the FX 8350
8. The Performance Comparison between the FX 8350 and Quadro
9. The Value of the Holiday Season Upgrades
10. Conclusion

😥 The Disappointment of the FX Bulldozer Line

When it comes to upgrading computer processors, there is often a mix of excitement and uncertainty. As an avid user of AMD processors, I have always looked forward to the performance boost that comes with an upgrade. However, my recent experience with the FX 8350 has left me with mixed feelings and a tinge of disappointment.

The Bulldozer line of processors from AMD has been less than stellar. While the FX 8150 failed to outperform its predecessor, the FX 1090T, it did little to redeem the reputation of the FX series. As someone who looks for significant performance gains with each upgrade, the lackluster performance of the Bulldozer line has been disheartening.

😕 The Excitement and Mixed Feelings of Upgrading to the FX 8350

Despite the underwhelming performance of the Bulldozer line, I found myself eagerly anticipating the upgrade to the FX 8350. As an editor and a gamer, I rely on my processor to handle demanding tasks such as media encoding and running resource-intensive games. The promise of better encoding capabilities and improved overall performance was enough to convince me to give the FX 8350 a chance.

However, my excitement was tempered by the knowledge that AMD had announced the upcoming release of the Steamroller core for the AM3+ platform. I had been patiently waiting for this upgrade, as the Steamroller core was said to bring substantial improvements over the Piledriver core. Nevertheless, AMD's sudden decision to halt the production of high-performance processors in 2014 left me with limited options.

⏳ Waiting for Steamroller and the Reality of AMD's Roadmap

For two and a half years, I had been planning and waiting for the release of the Steamroller core on the AM3+ platform. This roadmap shift by AMD, which effectively postponed the release of high-performance processors, caught me off guard. Suddenly, the high-end options I had been anticipating, such as the FX 9590, were no longer compatible with my existing AM3+ motherboard. The prospect of purchasing a new motherboard solely for compatibility felt like a ripoff.

With no feasible alternatives in sight, I reluctantly settled for the FX 8350. The hope of Incremental performance gains and somewhat improved single-core performance kept me optimistic, but the nagging feeling of compromise lingered.

🔬 Preliminary Benchmarks and Expectations

Before fully committing to the FX 8350, I decided to run some preliminary benchmarks. One project, an AVC HD encoding task, previously took my AMD 1090T six minutes to complete. With the FX 8350 in place, the same project finished in just under five minutes. While the improvement was not as significant as I had hoped, it was still a noticeable advancement.

In addition to the CPU upgrade, I also acquired a new Quadro GPU and discovered plugins that utilized its power to enhance performance on my CS4 suite. Running benchmarks with this new setup would help determine if the combined investment in both the processor and the GPU was worthwhile.

⚙️ Upgrading to the FX 8350

With anticipation and a touch of trepidation, I went ahead and upgraded my system to the FX 8350. The process went smoothly, and soon I was back in Windows, eager to see how the new processor would perform.

After completing the upgrade, I noticed a slight drop in certain aspects of my Windows Experience Index, such as hard drive speed and video card performance. However, the CPU score showed a significant improvement, confirming that the FX 8350 was indeed faster. Encouraged by these initial results, I shifted my focus to testing the processor's prowess in my primary software, Premiere Pro.

📈 The Performance Comparison between the FX 8350 and Quadro

As an editor primarily working with video, I heavily rely on Premiere Pro for my projects. Encoding a 1080p video at 29 frames per Second and 20 megabits per second previously took me six minutes using the AMD 1090T. With the FX 8350, the encoding time was reduced to approximately four minutes and fifteen seconds, marking a notable improvement.

Furthermore, the addition of the Quadro GPU further enhanced the performance of Premiere Pro. Utilizing plugins that leveraged the Quadro's acceleration capabilities, my editing workflow became smoother and more efficient.

💰 The Value of the Holiday Season Upgrades

During the holiday season, I also took advantage of various sales and deals to upgrade other components of my setup. From a new phone case to a discounted copy of Star Trek Into Darkness, these additions may seem trivial, but they contribute to the overall experience and enjoyment of my technology.

In retrospect, while the FX 8350 may not have offered the groundbreaking performance I had hoped for, it still represented a tangible improvement over my previous processor. Coupled with the enhancements brought by the Quadro GPU and other upgrades, the investment in my computer during the holiday season proved to be valuable.

🎯 Conclusion

The journey from excitement to disappointment, and finally, mild satisfaction with the FX 8350 has been a learning experience. While AMD's decision to postpone the release of high-performance processors was disappointing, it pushed me to explore alternative options. In the end, the FX 8350 delivered a noticeable performance boost, although not as significant as desired.

As technology enthusiasts, we often face the dilemma of when to upgrade and when to wait for better options. It is crucial to strike a balance between fulfilling immediate needs and planning for future advancements. In the constantly evolving world of computer hardware, each upgrade represents a step forward, even if it falls short of our highest expectations.

Highlights:

• The disappointment surrounding the FX Bulldozer line of processors
• The excitement and mixed feelings when upgrading to the FX 8350
• The reality of the roadmap shift by AMD and the dilemma it created
• Preliminary benchmarks and expectations for the FX 8350
• The upgrade process and its impact on overall performance
• The performance comparison between the FX 8350 and Quadro GPU
• The value of the holiday season upgrades

FAQ:

Q: Why was the FX Bulldozer line of processors disappointing? A: The performance of the FX Bulldozer line failed to live up to expectations, particularly when compared to its predecessors. The FX 8150, for example, was not better than the FX 1090T in terms of overall performance.

Q: Why did you decide to upgrade to the FX 8350 despite the disappointment of the Bulldozer line? A: The FX 8350 promised improved encoding capabilities and better overall performance. Additionally, there were limited options available due to AMD's decision to postpone the release of high-performance processors.

Q: How did the FX 8350 perform in comparison to your previous processor? A: Preliminary benchmarks showed a slight improvement in performance with the FX 8350. Tasks such as encoding a 1080p video saw a reduction in processing time, although the gains were not as substantial as anticipated.

Q: Were the holiday season upgrades worth it? A: Yes, the combined upgrades, including the FX 8350 and the Quadro GPU, resulted in improved performance and enhanced the overall experience of using the technology.