AMD announces first triple-core Athlon processors
Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday announced a new range of desktop microprocessors, including its first Athlon triple-core processors.
AMD launched four Athlon II X3 triple-core processors as part of a new lineup that slips in between the dual-core Athlon II X2 and quad-core Athlon II X4 processors. The processors run at speeds between 2.2GHz and 2.9GHz and draw up to 95 watts of power.
The chips are designed to go into desktops and new PC form factors including all-in-one and small desktops, AMD said. Users will be able to see 3D graphics on PCs powered by the new processors, AMD said.
Triple-core chips add responsiveness to PCs and headroom to run additional programs, said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at market research firm Insight 64. Users can run programs like antivirus on the third core when the first two cores are performing other system functions.
:story: Full story: Computerworld
