Advanced Micro Devices has released eight new microprocessors designed for mainstream and low-power desktop computers. The new central processing units feature two, three or four cores and will further improve competitive positions of AMD’s lineup of x86 chips designed for average personal computers.

AMD’s new Athlon II X2, X3 and X4 microprocessors are made using 45nm silicon-on-insulator process technology and consume 45W or 95W, depending on the model. Considering the trend towards “green” personal computers, AMD launches its new chips just in time before Microsoft Windows 7 launch, when sales of personal computers are projected to increases.

While the new Athlon II X2, X3 and X4 chips do not work on high frequencies and do not offer truly high performance in contemporary demanding software, since Windows 7 operating system and DirectX 11 application programming interface will take more advantage of multi-core chips, triple-core and quad-core Athlon II X3 processors from AMD may quickly gain popularity over dual-core products among multimedia enthusiasts.

The fresh chips will be compatible with AMD’s chipsets with advanced built-in graphics cores, such as AMD 790GX (ATI Radeon HD 3300, DirectX 10.0) and AMD 785G (ATI Radeon HD 4200, DirectX 10.1), which should also improve their popularity in low-cost systems.

AMD’s eight new microprocessors have the following specifications and pricing:

• AMD Athlon II X4 605e – 2.3GHz, 2MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 45W TDP, $143 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X4 605e – 2.2GHz, 2MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 45W TDP, $133 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X3 435 – 2.9GHz, 1.5MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 95W TDP, $87 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X3 425 – 2.7GHz, 1.5MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 95W TDP, $76 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X3 405e – 2.3GHz, 1.5MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 45W TDP, $102 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X3 400e – 2.2GHz, 1.5MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 45W TDP, $97 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X2 240e – 2.8GHz, 1MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 45W TDP, $77 in 1000-unit quantities.
• AMD Athlon II X2 235e – 2.7GHz, 1MB L2 cache (512KB per core), 45W TDP, $69 in 1000-unit quantities

AMD low power desktop solutions with low energy consumption, reduced heat and noise are available from such computer makers as Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo and others.

Tags: AMD, Athlon, 45nm, Propus, Rana, Regor