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.