We have seen how the FX 53 performed against the FX 51 in a head to head comparison, but are the hefty price tag really worth it? Combining the need of registered ram as well as the motherboard, just the barebones of a system costs $1000. From a statistical perspective, these chips are the best money can buy, without a doubt. I present AMD Review's highest award, the Editor's Choice giving it by default a 10 out of 10.

Special thanks goes to the guys at Monarch Computer Systems, primarily Trey and Devin, for hooking AMDreview.com with an FX-53 and FX-51 before the initial release of the FX-53 as well as my buddies Steven Wisniewski and Victor Jacobson for utilizing their broadband for downloading the benchmark programs.

Right before press time, we have just found out that AMD is having difficulties delivering the FX 53. Most retailers, including Monarch Computer, being awarded the Platinum Provider, will only get between 1 to 5 FX 53's That means trying to find such a chip will be difficult. From what I understand, MCS is taking pre orders and will ship these chips on March 29.