14 DAY TRIAL // Intel is not the only chip maker that has decided to update its processor offer, since competitor AMD has also made some adjustments to its lineup of desktop processors. However, unlike its Santa-Clara-based competitor, AMD has not rolled out any new desktop chips, opting instead for lowering the prices for several of its current chips.
AMD is certainly one of the biggest manufacturers of computer chips on the market, having to compete with both Intel and NVIDIA in the processor and graphics card market segments. Unfortunately, AMD does not enjoy the same level of success with its processor business, like it does, for instance, with its graphics range of products. To put it differently, when it comes to high-end desktop chips, AMD's current production lineup can’t hold a candle to Intel's Core 2 chips. And this is precisely why Advanced Micro has to resort to these periodical price cuts in order to maintain a strong market share.
The price cut list counts several models, including both the Athlon and Phenom ranges of processors. The company's flagship model, the Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition processor, has suffered one of the most considerable price cuts, of almost $50. This is a processor that is built on a 65nm manufacturing technology, and has a core speed of 2600MHz, while the L3 Cache is set at 2048KB. Its performance levels can be compared to Intel's 45nm-based Q8200, whose availability the company has recently announced for a price point of $224, while AMD's Phenom X4 9950 BE will now be available for $186 per chip in 1,000 unit quantities.
In the triple-core segment, the Phenom X3 8750's price has been lowered from $175 to a more decent $134. This is the company's flagship model in the triple-core lineup, and features a core speed of 2400MHz with a L2 cache size of 512KB.
In the entry-level segment, several dual-core Athlon X2 processors have been included in the price cuts, the Athlon X2 5200+ now reaching an impressive $68 price point.