Advanced Micro Devices reportedly plans to start production shipments of another six-core AMD Phenom II X6 microprocessor sometime in the third quarter of 2010, according to market rumours. The new chip will make the lineup of six-core code-named Thuban processor family broader and thus more affordable to the end-user.

The new six-core processor is projected to be AMD Phenom II X6 1045T central processing unit with 9MB of cache in total, 2.70GHz clock-speed (with 3.20GHz Turbo Core speed) and 95W thermal design power. The new chip will maintain drop-in compatibility with existing AM3/AM2+ infrastructure and will likely be relatively inexpensive.

The possible introduction of a yet another six-core offering already in Q3 2010 indicates that Advanced Micro Devices is successfully ramping up production of six-core Phenom II X6 "Thuban" processors at Globalfoundries using 45nm SOI fabrication process. Earlier this year rumours emerged that the demand towards the new microprocessors is substantially increasing supply that AMD can provide.

At present AMD Phenom II X6 line consists of two six-core chips: the model 1055T and the model 1090T Black Edition. Additionally, the firm is projected to release more six-core offerings this quarter. However, the model 1045T is an unexpected product, at least for Q3 2010.

AMD did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: AMD, Phenom, Thuban, Leo, 45nm, Zosma