AMD Targets the Mainstream with Triple-Core Chips (
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The chip maker will also roll out a series of new quad-core Phenom processors, including an energy-efficient model.In an effort to remake both its mainstream and high-end desktop offerings,
Advanced Micro Devices is releasing the first of its tri-core Phenom processors
and is adding several new quad-core parts to its lineup.
AMD will release two Phenom X3 triple-core processors, along with
five additional Phenom X4 quad-core processors, March 26, as the chip maker and
its OEM partners prepare to refresh their PC lineups during the second quarter
of 2008. Hewlett-Packard and Dell are both expected to offer new systems built around these AMD
chips.
While some of the quad-core and tri-core processors offer the same amount of
performance, AMD is hoping to distinguish
the Phenom X3 chips from the X4 chips through aggressive pricing. While the
tri-core models will start at about $150 per 1,000 units shipped, the quad-core
parts begin at about $200. For now, AMD is
selling the Phenom X3 chips directly to OEMs, but the quad-core parts will be
available through its channel.
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If AMD does market the Phenom X3 as a
mainstream chip, the company also has leverage in selling its older dual-core Athlon
X2 processors as a less expensive part for users interested in a much more
basic desktop PC.
The triple-core will stand on its own in terms of price/performance, said
Leslie Sobon, director of platform marketing for AMD,
adding that the combination of the triple-core chips, AMD
chip sets and graphics will allow users to better view high-definition video.
It also allows PC vendorswhether HP, Dell or Gatewayto differentiate their
products from the competition by offering a range of processors at different
prices. More importantly, it gives AMD a
chip to compete against Intel within the mainstream PC market.
Although these processors are mainly geared toward high-end desktops and PC
enthusiasts, John Spooner, an analyst with Technology Business Research, said
that its only a matter of time before AMD
and its vendor partners position the processors within business clients.
This triple-core part is the new standard for mainstream desktops, and it
will go into the consumer market first to launch first at the time when the
OEMs are starting to think about their spring refresh, Spooner said. If Dell
goes ahead and offers it with its Optiplex, it shows that this is a processor
for mainstream desktops and AMD is going to
push to have these in every desktop, whether its a consumer system or an
enterprise system.
The Phenom X3 8600 chip offers a clock speed of 2.3GHz, 1.5MB of Level 2
cache and a shared 2MB of L3 cache within a 95-watt thermal envelope. The X3
8400 has a clock speed of 2.1GHz and the same amount of cache and the same
thermal envelope as the 8600.