Tech sites are speculating the presence of a six-core processor for desktop on AMD's CPU roadmap. Codenamed 'Thuban', the new CPU is expected to be launched in Q3 of 2010.

Xbitlabs.com claims that the new CPU will be socket AM3 compatible and wil be based around the Istanbul six core server processor design. The 45nm CPU will feature 3MB L2 cache and 6MB of L3 cache, according to the latest information.

The new CPU may be the heart of AMD's upcoming entusiast, code-named "Leo". VR-zone.com reports that the successor of the current "Dragon" platform will appear in April 2020 and will support faster 45nm multi-core AM3 CPUs coupled with the new AMD 890FX/GX + SB850 chipsets as well as the DX11 graphics cards; Hemlock and Cypress (Radeon HD 5800 series).

AMD's rival Intel is also expected to release the 'Gulftown' six-core processors in Q2 2010, essentially placing the 'Thuban'CPUs against Core i5/i7 CPUs.