AMD FX-9370
AMD FX-9370: Architectural Relic or Budget Option for Enthusiasts?
Relevant as of April 2025
1. Key Specifications: A Legacy of the Piledriver Era
The AMD FX-9370 processor, released in 2013, is still found in the secondary market and remaining stock in stores. Its Piledriver (Vishera) architecture and 32nm manufacturing process are long outdated, yet in 2025 it attracts attention due to its low price (~$100-120 for a new unit) and eight physical cores.
Key Parameters:
- 8 cores / 8 threads without multi-threading support (SMT).
- Base clock speed of 4.4 GHz, Turbo up to 4.7 GHz.
- L3 cache — 8 MB, L2 — 8x1 MB (1 MB per module).
- TDP 220W — one of the most "power-hungry" CPUs in history.
- Geekbench 6: 504 (Single-Core), 1974 (Multi-Core).
Features:
- No integrated graphics — a discrete graphics card is required.
- Support for AVX, FMA3 instructions, which is useful in certain workloads.
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking (but the potential is limited by heat).
2. Compatible Motherboards: A Quest for Rarity
The FX-9370 utilizes the AM3+ socket, which is not supported by modern motherboards. In 2025, searching for a compatible motherboard becomes a quest:
- Chipsets: 990FX (optimal for overclocking), 990X, 970.
- Recommended Models:
- ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z (price in leftovers — $150-200).
- Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5 ($130-180).
- MSI 990FXA-GD80 ($120-160).
Important:
- The motherboard must have 8+2 power phases and VRM heatsinks, otherwise overheating may occur.
- Must support TDP 220W in BIOS.
- Most new AM3+ motherboards are discontinued — look for leftovers or used.
3. Memory: Only DDR3
The FX-9370 exclusively works with DDR3, which seems archaic in 2025.
- Maximum frequency: 1866 MHz (can be overclocked to 2133 MHz).
- Modes: Dual-channel.
- Recommendations: 16-32 GB DDR3 (2x8 GB or 4x8 GB).
- Prices: New 16 GB DDR3 modules — $50-70 (e.g., Kingston HyperX Fury).
Limitation: The bandwidth of DDR3 lags behind DDR4/DDR5, which reduces performance in gaming and memory-sensitive tasks.
4. Power Supply: No Compromises
With a TDP of 220W and need for stable power, the FX-9370 requires a serious approach to selecting a PSU:
- Power: At least 650W (for a system with a graphics card like the RTX 3060 — 750W).
- Standard: 80+ Bronze or higher (e.g., Corsair RM750x — $110).
- Connectors: 8-pin + 4-pin CPU (some AM3+ boards require both).
Tip: Cheap PSUs with claimed 600W may struggle with peak loads — don't save on this!
5. Pros and Cons: Who Is It Suitable For?
Advantages:
- Low cost for an 8-core CPU.
- Upgrade option for old AM3+ systems.
- Potential for overclocking experiments (with adequate cooling).
Disadvantages:
- Outdated architecture: IPC (performance per clock) is 2-3 times lower than Ryzen 5000/7000.
- Huge power consumption: Electricity bills may rise.
- No support for PCIe 4.0, NVMe, DDR4.
6. Use Cases: Where Is FX-9370 Still Relevant?
- Office Tasks and Multimedia: Video playback, document work — but even here, modern APUs (e.g., Ryzen 5 5600G) are more energy-efficient.
- Rendering and Encoding: The 8 cores handle rendering in Blender, but are slower than modern counterparts (e.g., Ryzen 7 5700X is 2-3 times faster).
- Server Tasks: Hosting lightweight servers (e.g., Minecraft) — but high TDP makes it uneconomical.
- Gaming: Only in combination with a graphics card like GTX 1660 Super and at 1080p resolution. In CS2 or Cyberpunk 2077, drops to 30 FPS may occur due to weak Single-Core performance.
Real Example: A Reddit user built a PC with FX-9370 and RX 580 in 2024 for gaming in GTA V — achieving stable 60 FPS on medium settings, but in Hogwarts Legacy the system showed only 25-40 FPS.
7. Comparison with Competitors
- Intel Core i7-4770K (Haswell, 2013): Best single-thread performance, but only 4 cores. Price in leftovers — ~$80.
- Ryzen 5 1600 (2017): 6 cores/12 threads, support for DDR4 and PCIe 3.0. On the secondary market — $60-80.
- Ryzen 5 5500 (2022): 6 cores/12 threads, 7nm process, TDP 65W. New — $120.
Conclusion: FX-9370 only wins in multi-threaded tasks against i7-4770K, but loses to even budget Ryzen options.
8. Assembly Tips
- Cooling: A tower cooler is a must (Noctua NH-D15 — $90) or an AIO cooler (NZXT Kraken X53 — $130).
- Case: Maximum airflow (e.g., Fractal Design Meshify 2 — $120).
- Graphics Card: Not higher than RTX 3060/RX 6600 XT to avoid bottlenecking.
- Storage: SATA SSD (e.g., Samsung 870 EVO 1 TB — $80), as NVMe is not supported.
Important: Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version for stability.
9. Final Thoughts: Who Is FX-9370 For in 2025?
This processor is a choice for:
1. Enthusiasts experimenting with retro builds.
2. Owners of old AM3+ PCs looking to cheaply add cores.
3. Budget workstations for rendering, where electricity is cheap.
Alternative: For $200-250, one can build a basic system with Ryzen 5 5500 + A520, which will be faster, quieter, and more efficient.
Conclusion: The FX-9370 is a relic justified only in very specific scenarios. In 2025, it should be considered a temporary solution or an object for experimentation, but not as the foundation for a new PC.