AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processors Launched

AMD today announced the immediate availability of the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 dual-core processor completing “the world’s only broad dual-core client and server processor line-up.”

The new processors, designed for desktop and desktop-replacement notebooks, deliver performance improvements “of up to 80 percent on select digital media and productivity applications” compared to single-core AMD Athlon 64 processors, the company says.

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor will be supported by leading OEMs including Acer, Alienware, HP and Lenovo, as well as more than 40 leading system-builder partners worldwide.

“With the introduction of the AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor, desktop users will gain incredible performance benefits with the ability to multi-task and do more in less time,” said Bob Brewer, Corporate Vice President, Desktop Business, Microprocessor Solutions Sector (MSS), AMD. “Today, AMD demonstrates yet another performance lead within the industry as the only company with a broad portfolio of multi-core technology, from server and workstation to now client solutions with the addition of the new AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor.”

Partners including Alienware and HP are among the leading manufacturers planning to offer AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor-based systems.

Dual-core processors are the next evolution of AMD64’s Direct Connect Architecture. Because AMD64 technology was designed from the ground up for multi-core technology, the AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor directly connects two cores on a single die, improving overall system performance and efficiency and helping to eliminate the bottlenecks inherent in a front-side-bus architecture.

The availability of the AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor follows the successful introduction of the dual-core AMD Opteron™ processor, the world’s first x86 dual-core processor for the server and workstation markets. AMD will be showcasing AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors at Computex in the AMD booth (TF1L, Hall 4).

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors 4800+, 4600+, 4400+ and 4200+ are priced based on performance at $1001, $803, $581 and $537, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities.