AMD Introduces Industry's First Sub-$100 Quad-Core Processor

[btarunr]

As part of the new desktop platform designed for mainstream consumers, AMD today announced the first ever quad-core processor for less than $100 Suggested System Builder Price (SSBP). By balancing the power of new AMD Athlon II X4 quad-core processors and the AMD 785G chipset featuring ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics, AMD delivers smooth HD visuals and the foundation for a great Windows 7 experience.

When matched against similarly priced competitive processors, the AMD Athlon II X4 620 processor delivers superior multitasking performance allowing mainstream users to do more in less time, for less money. The AMD Mainstream Desktop Platform leverages AMD software to help enhance the overall experience. ATI Stream technology, for example, enables hardware acceleration that can speed HD video conversion-time so content can be ready faster for use on-the-go.



Combining the efficiency of 45nm processors and this platform's built-in power management technologies for a cool and quiet PC, an AMD Athlon II processor-based platform can serve-up an amazing Blu-ray movie experience using less energy than a standard 75 watt light bulb. This platform also can improve business users' experience as part of AMD Business Class technology. With this second generation commercial platform, AMD industry partners can offer a variety of form factors with superior value, exceptional energy efficiency, advanced visual productivity. This platform also has support for essential manageability, security and virtualization features that today's businesses demand.

"Our goal is to deliver a great computing experience and maximize value for our customers," said John Cook, vice president of marketing, global PC business, HP. "The new AMD quad-core processors offer the right balance between excellent performance and price, and allow HP to continue to be a best-in-class provider of consumer technology."

"Designed with customer needs in mind, Windows 7 simplifies and improves the computing experience," said Mike Ybarra, general manager of Windows Product Management at Microsoft Corp. "The introduction of the new AMD Mainstream Desktop Platform coupled with Windows 7, allows end users to enjoy their digital entertainment with a faster, higher performing experience at an attractive price point."

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[Easo]

Nice, though in Latvia it would cost like 150+ dollars xD

 

[Assassin48]

wow X4 less then $100 I'm going to pick one up if I can't find a 955 or 965 for cheap

 

[Chad Boga]

I've been a bit surprised AMD having been losing market share in recent Qtr's, perhaps there is a lag effect. If so, one would think with products like this they would soon start growing market share.

 

[adrianx]

any diference from Phenom II ?

 

[Noggrin]

any diference from Phenom II ?

It's basically the same as the Deneb chip, but it has no L3 cache.

 

[Kenshai]

There was a review of this processor two days back I hadn't heard of it caught me off guard now I see.

Performance seems alright especially considering a sub-$100 processor. Compared to Phenom II it's missing the L3 Cache, other than that not sure of the technical differences I can't quite read the review

 

[Mussels]

sounds like a good chip for my media PC

it'd be low wattage, and i'm sure it would undervolt well.


am i blind, i cant see clock speed or cache mentioned anywhere?

 

[Wile E]

sounds like a good chip for my media PC

it'd be low wattage, and i'm sure it would undervolt well.

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm grabbing a 785G and throwing my old F2 Windsor 3800+ X2 in there for now, but this looks like what I'll upgrade to when funds permit.

 

[Mussels]

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm grabbing a 785G and throwing my old F2 Windsor 3800+ X2 in there for now, but this looks like what I'll upgrade to when funds permit.

from that german review, it seems its 2.6GHz with 95W TDP

 

[Wile E]

from that german review, it seems its 2.6GHz with 95W TDP

Only 6w more than the 3800+ X2, but with 600Mhz more speed, 2 extra cores, and higher IPC. Still sounds like a good upgrade to me.

 

[Mussels]

Only 6w more than the 3800+ X2, but with 600Mhz more speed, 2 extra cores, and higher IPC. Still sounds like a good upgrade to me.

true.

cool and quiet also works well, so it wont use anywhere near that at idle, or when watching hardware accelerated movies.

it really is a good pairing for 780G/785G

 

[rizla1]

that is gona be cheap around the price of 550 and bout £10 more than the athlon x2

 

[ShadowFold]

I wanna see how these OC. If most do 3.8+ I'll be grabbing one and a really nice 785G overclocking board

 

[AKlass]

Who knows? Maybe you can Unlock the hidden 4 cores and the L3 cache

 

[Mussels]

Who knows? Maybe you can Unlock the hidden 4 cores and the L3 cache

L3 cache is possible to unlock. thats been done before on athlon II models.

 

[Hayder_Master]

any cpu-z screen shot

 

[ShadowFold]

any cpu-z screen shot

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=102590&highlight=Athlon+II

 

[pantherx12]

Already bought a intel quad core now XD what can you do ha ah damn technologies!

 

[HossHuge]

I guess it overclocks very well. Tweaktown got it to 3.9

 

[scheilinkin]

Hello from Novi Sad, Serbia

I have this (620) processor for 5 days, and the only reason for me to buy it was a chance to maybe unlock the L3 cache. Of course Ive got a Propus based processor and not the Deneb version, so i didnt have any luck in unlocking. peformance is the same as PhenomII X3 720.
but my feeling is that this quad works better with games (crysis, farcry 2 ... )

 

[Zubasa]

Hello from Novi Sad, Serbia

I have this (620) processor for 5 days, and the only reason for me to buy it was a chance to maybe unlock the L3 cache. Of course Ive got a Propus based processor and not the Deneb version, so i didnt have any luck in unlocking. peformance is the same as PhenomII X3 720.
but my feeling is that this quad works better with games (crysis, farcry 2 ... )

It simply can't be propus based, because that will be mcm.
You simply got one that couldn't unlock.
But without that L3 I will say it wil OC well given that my PII 810 can easily do 3.7+.

 

[mdm-adph]

L3 cache is possible to unlock. thats been done before on athlon II models.

Not that I'm aware of -- the Athlon II aren't crippled Phenom's. They're completely different chips without any L3 cache!

 

[Mussels]

Not that I'm aware of -- the Athlon II aren't crippled Phenom's. They're completely different chips without any L3 cache!

i take it you missed the link a few posts up, to a news post here on TPU where it was done?

 

[WarEagleAU]

Wow, for the price that is damn awesome. Ive been wanting to build a media pc for some time now, because let's face it, you can never have enough pc hardware or pcs in your home. I love my PS3 and all, but Id love to watch movies on my 50" plasma in the living room than my 32" LCD in my bedroom. With the costs of 785G boards, this proc, and a nice Bluray burner (or combo dvd burner,bluray reader) this shouldnt be bad at all.