Advanced Micro Devices on Tuesday released its fastest dual-core central processing units (CPUs) to date. The new chips are powered by the latest micro-architecture and will help AMD to more efficiently compete against its arch-rival Intel Corp. in the mainstream market segment.

The launch of the new dual-core chips – that are made using 45nm process technology – will be followed by releases of affordable other triple-core and quad-core microprocessors later this year.

The two new chips that are projected to become available shortly are AMD Athlon II X2 250 (Regor, 3000MHz, 1MB per core L2 cache, 65W TDP) and AMD Phenom II X2 550 (Callisto, 3100MHz, 512KB per core L2 cache, 6MB shared L3 cache, 80W TDP).

Both new processors feature AM3 form-factor and support both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. The microprocessors are based on the latest micro-architecture and are made using 45nm process technology, which allows them to be more energy efficient compared to predecessors produced at 65nm node.

It is interesting to note that AMD Athlon II processors are native dual-core chips, not derivatives of quad-core processors with disabled third level cache as well as two cores. The Phenom II X2 processors are based on the quad-core design, therefore, enthusiasts may have chances to enable the additional cores if they are lucky on some platforms.

AMD Athlon II X2 250 processor will be priced at $87, whereas the Phenom II X2 chip – AMD’s fastest dual-core product to date – will cost $102.

Tags: AMD, Phenom, Athlon, 45nm, Regor, Callisto