AMD has just introduced two new processor offerings for the low-end desktop market in the Athlon X2 series. The AMD Athlon X2 4450e and AMD Athlon X2 4050e come in a 45-watt thermal envelope and are especially suitable for small-form factor desktop systems and home-theater PCs.

According to the company, the newly-introduced dual-core processors are especially tailored to cut power consumption to a minimum, while delivering greater performance per watt. Although both Intel and AMD axed prices across their high-end processors, the introduction of two new mid-range/low-end processors in a reduced thermal envelope makes sense.

The company's newest 45-watt processors allow system integrators and OENM vendors to develop smaller, more appealing form factors, able to deliver increased power at lower energy requirements. Moreover, the 45 watt processors can be cooled down using smaller, less powerful CPU fans, thus dramatically reducing the residual noise.

AMD claims that the Athlon X2 45-watt processors are the result of extended research, and the built-in technology would allow system manufacturers to release energy-efficient platform solutions, which better meet the performance and digital needs of users.

According to Dan Olds, an analyst with the Gabriel Consulting Group, the shift towards low-power processors is an intelligent movement.

"First, the low-power parts also mean low-heat output, which means the chips can be put into smaller form factors and that system vendors don't have to spend as much money on case design, cooling fans, and the like," he said.

He also claimed that the two chips are extremely appealing to the consumer because they are priced as low-end offerings, which should allow system integrators to release cheaper and more powerful computing systems .

AMD did not announce pricing and availability date for the two low-energy processors.