Advanced Micro Devices, the world’s second largest maker of microprocessors, Thursday quietly added a new value microprocessor into its Sempron lineup. The new chip will deliver higher performance compared to existing Sempron products and will solidify AMD’s positions in the entry-level market segment before Intel’s forthcoming announcement of more powerful Intel Celeron D central processing unit.

AMD’s new Sempron processor is rated at 3000+, is clocked at 2.0GHz and pack-in 512KB of L2 cache. A bit slower version of the Sempron chip in PGA462 packaging, AMD Sempron model 2800+, also operates at 2.0GHz, but only integrates 256KB of L2 cache. AMD’s 32-bit chips for Socket A infrastructure with 512KB of level-two cache are typically called as Barton.

Sunnyvale, California-based AMD previously shipped Sempron with model numbers 2200+, 2300+, 2400+, 2500+, 2600+, 2800+ and 3100+.

AMD Sempron microprocessors from Advanced Micron Devices are supplied in a number of versions depending on the socket the chips are designed for. The initial versions are be available for Socket A platforms and Socket 754 platforms, while the longer-range prospects include Socket 939 revisions of the chips, according to sources.

The Sempron are positioned as 32-bit solutions for value market segment – personal computers priced below $1000 – and compete with the arch-rival’s Intel Celeron D chip that saw the light of the day this Summer. Intel is expected to release its Celeron D 340, or 2.93GHz processor, later this month.

Officials for Advanced Micro Devices did not comment on the story.