Desktop chips based on the new micro-architecture of Advanced Micro Devices will arrive in November, expect Taiwanese mainboard makers. However, there will be just a few models, which is not a positive sign neither for AMD nor for the whole market of central processing units (CPUs).

The world’s second largest maker of microprocessors will initiate test-production of the chips code-named Agena “between September and October”, according to a news-story by DigiTimes web-site. The actual appearance of the new chips on the market will happen in November, based on claims of undisclosed sources at motherboard makers. This is inline with AMD’s promise to deliver new quad-core microprocessors for desktops by Christmas.

But the actual ramp up of the new products is likely to occur sometime in the first quarter of 2008, not the Q4. It is rumoured that in November only four products are set to be launched: AMD Phenom FX with four processing engines, two quad-core AMD Phenom X4 CPUs and one dual-core AMD Phenom X2. In Q1 the chipmaker is expected to add 11 more chips based on K10 micro-architecture. Clock-speeds of the new products are unknown.

It is unclear which form-factor will be used for quad-core AMD Phenom FX chip: AMD promised its partners earlier this year that AMD FX-series processors will be available for both dual-socket (LGA1207) and single-socket (AM2+) platforms. The rest new processors may be installed into current mainboards that support AM2 form-factor chips, but advanced power saving capabilities will only be enabled when the chips are installed onto AM2+ platforms.

When AMD unveiled its first 64-bit AMD Athlon 64 microprocessors back in September 2003, the company also revealed four chips: AMD Athlon 64 FX-51 for high-end desktops, AMD Athlon 64 3200+ for performance desktops as well as AMD Athlon 64 models 3000+ and 3200+ for desktop replacement notebooks. But it should be kept in mind that back in 2003 the chipmaker revealed new CPUs along new infrastructure, whereas now the company launches new products that are compatible with already available platforms.

AMD Phenom processors are based on the company’s next-generation micro-architecture and will be produced using 65nm process technology. Among the highlights of AMD Phenom its manufacturer lists shared L3 cache, 128-bit floating point units (FPU), Hyper-Transport 3.0 bus, support for dual-channel PC2-8500 (1066MHz) memory and other innovations.