AMD Updates Its Phenom Line, Starts Shipping Tri-Cores

AMD has just announced that its tri-core processors are generally available. Additionally, the company has updated the quad-core Phenom line-up, that now includes four new high-end quad-core chips alleged to "improve performance for gaming and multi-threaded applications."

The first batch of tri-cores chips from AMD includes the Phenom X3 8400 at 2.1GHz and 8600 running at 2.3GHz. The addition of the new chips to the company's portfolio is alleged to allow the chip manufacturer to fill the gap between dual-core and quad-core offerings. While tri-cores offer improved performance over the dual-cores, they also come with much lower prices than the quad-core powerhorses.

"The value proposition is simple. Three cores versus two cores. You make the choice," said Pat Moorehead, vice-president of Advanced Marketing at AMD. "When you've maxed out your two cores, there is an extra core to do background tasks," he continued.

As previously reported, the first batch of tri-core chips will be based on the B2 silicon stepping, but according to Moore, the upcoming processors will also be routed to the latest silicon stepping for the Phenom family, the bug-free B3 revision. The B3 stepping can easily be identified, as it comes stamped with the "50" suffix.

AMD claims that its tri-core processors deliver extra performance when working in conjunction with a motherboard based on the AMD 780 series chipset.

The chip manufacturer also updated its quad-core Phenom offering with four new high-performance Phenom X4 processors based on the B3 silicon revision, including the extremely powerful Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition chip.

Intel is expected to adjust its pricing policy with the advent of AMD's new chips. "Intel may go after it with a high-performance dual core or under price a quad core. A sub-mainstream quad core is most likely," said Dean McCarron, founder and Principal of Mercury Research.