Advanced Micro Devices on Thursday officially announced its lineup of microprocessors that feature two processing cores allowing to simultaneously execute up to two threads. The company has the world’s only lineup of dual-core x86 chips, but systems based on them are only expected to be available in May and June.

As expected, dual-core AMD Opteron processors operate in the 1.80GHz – 2.20GHz range and contain up to 2MB of cache memory. AMD’s desktop-oriented Athlon 64 X2 central processing units (CPUs) operate at 2.20 – 2.40GHz and are equipped with 1MB – 2MB cache memory. The chips have special arbitration logic to balance the workflow called System Request Interface (SRI). Like all other 940-pin and 939-pin processors, the microprocessors sport dual-channel PC3200 memory controller.

AMD expects the new dual-core server processors deliver up to a 90% performance improvement for application servers over single-core AMD Opteron processors. The company believes desktop dual-core chips will especially benefit the so-called professional consumer and digital media enthusiasts, as well as those who run many software applications simultaneously.

The top-of-the-range dual-core desktop processor from Advanced Micro Devices will cost $1001 in 1000-unit quantities, which is $2 higher compared to Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 840 processor priced at $999. But the chip called Athlon 64 X2 4800+ will still be not targeted at gamers, for them AMD plans to release a yet another AMD Athlon 64 FX product.

AMD settled on to firstly unveil its server-aimed dual-core Opteron processors and then follow with desktop-oriented dual-core Athlon 64 chip in the middle of the year because it believes server applications will benefit from additional core more than desktop software, as server programs are typically tailored for machines running two or more processors. Intel decided to commercially release its desktop Pentium Extreme Edition chips in April, 2005, with dual-engine Xeon processor for servers entering the market in early 2006.

AMD’s dual-core processors for desktops and servers are expected to be able to operate within existing Socket 939 and Socket 940 infrastructures provided that the mainboards have BIOS support for them and comply to AMD’s thermal and voltage specifications for all processors made using 90nm process technology.

Several dual-core AMD Opteron processor-based systems were announced today from a variety of vendors including Sun, HP, IBM, Cray, Supermicro, Egenera and Dawning.

The dual-core AMD Opteron 800-series will be available immediately for orders and the dual-core AMD Opteron 200-series will be available in late May. AMD expects systems from OEM partners based the dual-core AMD Opteron 800-series to be available within 30 days, by late May, and systems with the dual-core AMD Opteron 200-series to be available in June.

Pricing on the dual-core chips will vary depending on performance and a number of supported chips in a system.