AMD Brings in New Desktop CPUs, Cuts Prices

AMD has added weight to its CPU lineup by bringing in new CPUs and cutting prices for some older ones. New CPUs aside, the price cuts by AMD are rather dramatic to say the least. To begin with, it's known that the Phenom X4 9950 has a rated TDP of 140W, and that only a chosen few motherboards support it, perhaps leading to cold market response. AMD has revised the processor with a lower rated TDP of 125W. This isn't new, AMD did the same with the 125W B3 stepping model X4 9750 months ago, releasing a revised 95W B3 part. What's more, the Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition could sport a surprising price of US $186. Perhaps it's AMD paving the way for its 45nm parts. At its new TDP and price the X4 9950 is a much better buy.

The Phenom X3 8750 would sell for $139, making it very competitive with Intel's offerings at that price-band. Additionally, AMD added new dual-core processors based on the Brisbane core, the Athlon X2 6500 Black Edition priced at $105 and an Athlon X2 5050e 45W low-power part at $90.

Changes to the prices of existing processors are as followed.

For the Phenom X4 series:

• The 140W Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition gets price parity with its cooler twin, cut from $235 to $186
• The Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition slips further down from $194 to $180
• The Phenom X4 9750 gets much needed respite from an illogical price of $215 to $170
• The Phenom X4 9650 moves from being priced at $195 to $156

For the Phenom X3 series:

• Phenom X3 8750 from $175 to a new low $134
• Phenom X3 8650 from $145 to $123

Some Athlon X2 parts get double-digit prices:

• Athlon X2 6000+ from $112 to $95
• Athlon X2 5600+ from $102 to $88
• Athlon X2 5400+ from $87 to $78
• Athlon X2 5200+ from $76 to $68

Hexus.net spoke with Raj Suman, Euro product marketing director at distributor Avnet, to get confirmation of approximate street pricing.