AMD Takes the Wraps Off the Athlon II X2 245 and 240 Processors

Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices, the world's second largest vendor of computer processors, has announced today the expansion of its line of 45nm-based CPUs with the introduction of the two new Athlon II X2 dual-core 245 and 240 processors. According to the company, the new models have been specifically designed to provide users with a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative for their home computer system. These new processors are to drive low-power AMD-based PCs that consume less and are more affordable than traditional desktop PCs.

According to the technical specifications of the chip maker's latest Athlon II offerings, users will be able to combine the new processors with the latest AMD chipsets, enabling support for AM3-based platforms. The dual-core Athlon II CPUs have been featured with an integrated dual-channel DDR2/DDR3 memory controller, delivering support to those who want to combine an affordable, dual-core CPU with the latest DDR3 memory. This feature will also allow computer users to easily upgrade to the latest memory standard, without having to replace the CPU.

Both models are designed using the company's latest 45nm process technology and are featured with clock speeds of 2.9GHz and 2.8GHz, for the X2 245 and X2 240, respectively. Additional features include the 2MB of L2 cache, the HyperTransport speed of 4000MHz, as well as the 65W TDP level. Given their clock speeds and performance specifications, as well as the low TDP, these new AMD processors could soon make their way into some of the upcoming low-power HTPC PCs.

Designed to work with the company's line of Radeon HD graphics solutions, these new processors should prove as the affordable alternative to other dual-core CPUs. As far as pricing goes, AMD announced that the new CPUs would be made available to consumers very soon, with prices to settle at around US$67 and even lower.