AMD Break Guinness World Record for Processor Speed

AMD has been awarded a Guinness World Record for computer processor speed, by hitting a massive 8.429 GHz on an overclocked version of its upcoming eight-core FX desktop processor.  Results like this would not be possible in uncontrolled environments however, with the chip needing to be cooled with liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.

“This overclocking demonstration is a way to show capability rather than what the majority of users will do with their CPU,” said AMD spokesperson Miriam Cox.  However, while home users are unlikely to reach these kind of speeds, AMD say results of well above 5 KHz could be possible using only regular air or water cooling solutions.

The Guinness world record was broken on the third of three staged runs, after AMD experts tested a variety of FX processors to find which ones performed the best.  The processors were initially tested with liquid nitrogen at temperatures below -180 degrees centigrade, and then later tested with even colder liquid helium.

The FX desktop processor line-up is noteworthy for being the world’s first eight-core desktop CPU, something that is sure to excite gamers around the world.  “This fully unlocked line-up of processors was designed with gamers and HD media enthusiasts in mind, who can get a measurable frequency and performance boost with overclocking,” said Cox.

While the boffins at AMD would undoubtedly be very proud about having a Guinness World Record to their name, this event seems like a well planned media stunt due to its timing on the first day of the Intel Developer Conference.  “I think this is more to showcase that AMD is back in the game with full executive support, and that the days of AMD’s being subservient to Intel are over,” said Rob Enderle to technewsworld.