14 DAY TRIAL // Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices is reportedly planning to move its production line to the 45nm manufacturing node in the third quarter of 2009, in an attempt to reduce costs. The world's number two chip maker will also launch a couple of new processors before the end of year, while its main rival, Intel, is expected to update its processor lineup with the introduction of the new Core i5 models, codenamed Lynnfield.
According to sources cited by Digitimes in a recent news-article, AMD plans to transfer its entire line of computer processors on the next-generation manufacturing node, 45nm. This includes the Phenom II X2 500 series, codenamed Calisto, the Athlon II X2 200 series, the quad-core Athlon II X4 600 series and the triple-core Athlon II X3 400 series, codenamed Rana. These new processors, which are slated for debut between June and September this year, are to take advantage of the new 45nm manufacturing technology, according to the cited sources.
AMD's current lineup, which makes use of the 45nm technology, includes the newly released quad-core Phenom II X4 800 and 900 series, codenamed Deneb, as well as the triple-core Phenom II X3 700 series, codenamed Heka. These new processors have allowed AMD to better compete with Intel, from a price/performance standpoint.
According to Digitimes, AMD also plans to unveil a couple of new processors, which it will launch by the end of the second and the third quarter. The first to debut are the dual-core Phenom II X2 550 and 545, which will be followed by the quad-core Phenom II X4 945 and 8xx (95W), triple-core Phenom II X3 7xx (95W), quad-core Athlon II X4 630 and 620, triple-core Athlon II X3 435 and 425, and the dual-core Athlon II X2 250, 245 and 240.
To further complete its lineup, AMD will also unveil 10 low-power CPUs, according to Digitimes. These include the Phenom II X4 905e, Phenom II X3 705e and Athlon II X4 605e. Meanwhile, Intel's first quad-core Core i5 Lynnfield CPUs will be available in three models, at first. The prices for these three are rated at US$562, US$284 and US$196 in 1,000-unit tray quantities.