Conclusion:

Again now AMD is back in the game and where we'd hope they'd be if a little bit later than we were expecting. The TLB problem was an unfortunate one and AMD was definitely erring on the side of caution in regards to it with it more of a server problem than any real desktop issue but this was also still a real problem and something which needed to be addressed and fixed at the hardware level to gain back consumer confidence and to have no performance loss from correcting it which AMD has done. A 200MHz increase in clock speed also goes a long way and sub-$200 quad core prices. Is it enough to take back the performance lead from Intel? Nope, not really and in fact far from it. But it keeps them in the game and with competitive pricing is a more than viable solution for those looking for a quad core under the $250 level and also for those already with a Socket AM2 processor now there's no reason not to recommend a Phenom with the B3 fix. Phenom so far is definitely not the processor that Athlon was and the question is whether or not AMD can ramp up the clock speed this year and make sure 45nm is on time. Intel has fallen behind in regards to their release of 45nm processors although their quad cores are out now in time for the B3 Phenom hitting in the market. AMD has to have 45nm available sometime this year and hope that Intel drops the ball with Nehalem, or the performance difference isn't that great between the upcoming 45nm Phenoms and Intel's next-gen tech. For now though in the present the Phenom is a more than capable processor and resolves the unfortunate bug with a few extra perks as well for a great value.

Score: 94%