Advanced Micro Devices has bolstered the performance of its Athlon 64 PC processor.
The chipmaker on Tuesday released four Athlon 64 chips including an Athlon 64 3800+ and an updated Athlon 64 FX-53. Both the 3800+ and the FX-53 are fitted with an improved memory controller and are available in a 939-pin package. A chip"s package connects the processor to a PC"s motherboard or main circuit board. AMD also introduced an Athlon 64 3500+ that incorporates the memory controller and package, but runs at a slower clock speed and costs less.
As expected, the new 128-bit dual channel memory controller increases the performance of the Athlon 64 line, boosting the model numbers from 3400+ to a 3800+, for instance. Because the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX chips both come in 939-pin packages, they can use the same motherboards, which makes it easier for PC makers to create desktop lines that offer both chips, AMD said. One of the first PC makers to use the new Athlon 64s will be Hewlett-Packard, which will offer customers a choice between the 3500+, 3800+ and FX-53 in its Compaq X game machine, according to AMD. The Compaq X will go on sale in July, HP has said.
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