AMD today is releasing its new processor, the Athlon 64 FX-57, which takes its place atop the company's high-end single-core chip line. The new chip will cost a hefty sum--$1031 in quantities of 1000.

The AMD Athlon(TM) 64 FX-57 processor has been presented by AMD as the world's ultimate PC processor for enthusiasts and hard-core gamers.

The new chip runs at 2.8 GHz, versus the 2.6-GHz speed of the Athlon 64 FX-55 (priced at $827 in quantities of 1000), which previously was AMD's high-end single-core chip. Like the dual-core Athlon 64 X2 chips released in June, the Athlon 64 FX-57 is built using a 90-nanometer process for greater efficiency and lower manufacturing costs. The FX-57 also boasts a 1MB L2 cache and features a 2-GHz HyperTransport bus. While the platform still offers no support for DDR2 memory, it tops out at DDR533.

To use the new chip, you'll need a BIOS upgrade, but you won't need a new motherboard; it fits in any Athlon 64 board with the 939 socket.

Systems should be available now from vendors such as ABS, Alienware, Falcon Northwest, Polywell, Systemax, Voodoo PC, and more. No information was available on these systems at press time; for more details, check the vendors' sites.

"AMD recognizes that today's games are single-threaded. Users who crave the absolute best performance on 3D games and extreme applications can experience realistic physics and lighting, as well as gripping artificial intelligence and sound, with the single-core AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor," said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president, Desktop Business, Microprocessor Solutions Sector (MSS), AMD. "Since the AMD Athlon FX processor was first introduced, AMD has consistently delivered the absolute best performing PC processor for games. Now in our fourth iteration, the AMD Athlon 64 FX family of processors continues to remain unmatched in the industry, designed to provide even the most demanding gamer with reduced memory latency and increased performance."

"Gamers, and those pushing the performance envelope on PCs, have clearly seen AMD continue to deliver the most powerful set of processors in their class," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for The Enderle Group. "The AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor is the highest performing single-core processor in the consumer market and I believe that at least for the next 18 months, it is this single-core performance that will be most important to the most competitive players of PC games. With the AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor, AMD is, once again, showcasing that they know and embrace this segment better then anyone else."

Availability and Pricing

The AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor is available immediately worldwide. All pricing is in 1,000-unit PIB quantities. The AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor is priced at $1031. For pricing details visit: http://www.amd.com/pricing.