Advanced Micro Devices’ next-generation form-factor processors for socket AM2 systems have been listed by online store and the shop even takes pre-orders on the devices. This may be a proof that AMD’s transition to the new form-factor will be relatively quick. 

National Toner Warehouse store based in Advance, North Carolina, have started to list AMD processors for the socket AM2 infrastructure in its price-list. The offerings include such processors as Athlon 64 FX-62, Athlon 62 X2 5000 and Sempron 3600+, which have not yet been announced officially. The prices on the novelties are relatively high, for instance, the Athlon 64 FX-62 costs about $1400, whereas its predecessor, model FX-60, can be obtained for around $1000. 

Usually stores and system builders do not start to offer processors about 1.5 months ahead of official launch, as chipmakers usually require their partners to remain quiet about unannounced microprocessors and not always stores and computer makers have enough chips at the date of the formal release. Listing of AM2 chips at the store may mean that AMD may start shipping the chips significantly ahead of launch. 

Advanced Micro Devices is expected to officially unveil its dual-core and single-core processors, such as AMD Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 FX and AMD Sempron, in socket AM2 form-factor and with DDR2 memory support on June 6, 2006. For Sunnyvale, California-based chipmaker the highlighters of the Computex 2006 show that begins on that date are expected to be the Athlon 64 FX-62 and Athlon 64 X2 5000+ processors that will support dual-channel DDR2 memory. 

Originally it was expected that AMD’s Athlon 64 processors in new socket AM2 will only officially support DDR2 667MHz  (PC2-5300) memory modules, but will be capable of working with 800MHz memory as well. But recently it was reported that the new processors in AM2 form-factor will be able to work with high-speed 800MHz (PC2-6400) DDR2 memory legitimately.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.