AMD today announced the immediate availability of the AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 dual-core processor and the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+dual-core processor compatible with AMD's new socket AM2 platform.
Socket AM2 from AMD is designed to enable next-generation platform technologies such as AMD Virtualization and high-performance, unbuffered DDR2 memory to the AMD64 architecture. Additionally, socket AM2 streamlines the work for motherboard manufacturers, while reducing costs.
OEMs shipping systems with socket AM2 processors include Alienware, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, and Lenovo, as well as more than 40 system builders worldwide.
All AMD64 processors are ready and capable today to provide users with the foundation needed to experience the power of Windows Vista.
With socket AM2, AMD brings new capabilities like AMD Virtualization to both commercial and consumer users. Virtualization on desktop computers allows a single PC to act like multiple virtual machines. AMD Virtualization can enable client computers to support multiple operating environments.
For prosumers and digital enthusiasts who are looking to run multiple processor-intense applications simultaneously, AMD has transitioned the entire lineup of AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors over to the new socket AM2 while adding the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ and 4000+ dual-core processors.
The AM2 family reaches from very low-end (Sempron 3000+ to 3600+), the lower-end mainstream (Athlon 64 3500+ and 3800+) through the upper mainstream (Athlon 64 X2 3800+ to 5000+) all the way to the high-end gaming CPU (Athlon 64 FX-62).
All socket AM2 processors are based on a common DDR2 memory controller that is validated for 333 MHz operation (DDR2-667), with only the cache size and clock speed differentiating the individual processors. The dual-cores carry 2 x 1 MB (FX-62) or 2 x 512 kB L2 cache (X2), the single-core Athlon 64 models 512 kB L2 cache and the Sempron 256 kB.
Socket AM2 processors from AMD are available immediately worldwide.
Pricing for the new AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 and AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ dual-core processors is $1,031 and $696, respectively in 1KU PIB. AMD has also added an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ that will be priced at $328 in 1KU PIB.