AMD Boosts Speed Of Phenom II Processors

Advanced Micro Devices has replaced its flagship six-core processor with a faster model, while lowering the price of the older chip.

The new six-core Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition is one of two Phenom II processors AMD released Tuesday. The other is the Phenom II X2 565 Black Edition, which is now the company's fastest dual-core CPU in the product line.

The latest Phenom II six-core desktop processor is for PC enthusiasts and gamers who run heavily threaded applications. The X6 1100T has a clock speed of 3.3 GHz, compared to the 3.2 GHz of the X6 1090T it replaces. Both chips have 6 MB of L3 cache and run in AMD's AM3 socket. They also feature unlocked clock multipliers for overclocking. The Phenom II X6 1100T has a list price of $265. The older chip's price has been dropped to $235.

The latest Phenom II dual-core processor is for people who want speed, but don't run applications that would take advantage of the additional cores. The X2 565 Black Edition has clock speed of 3.4 GHz and 1 MB of L2 cache, and uses the same AM3 socket. It can also be overclocked. The chip replaces the Phenom II X2 560, which has the same features but a clock speed of 3.3 GHz. The latest processor has a list price of $112.

AMD has tweaked the high end of its desktop product as it prepares to release the first of a new class of processor, called accelerated processing units, or APUs. The chip combines graphics and CPU on the same chip, providing higher performance-to-power ratios. AMD plans to release its first APUs early next year.

APUs will fall under the Fusion brand. They will include the company's first 32-nanometer CPUs, codenamed Bulldozer and Bobcat. The former is for desktops and the latter is targeted at laptops.

For Further Reading

AMD Unveils Bulldozer, Bobcat Microprocessor Details

AMD Processor Roadmap Points To Tablets