14 DAY TRIAL // Despite the fact that Intel's Core 2 Extreme family of processors are extremely popular on the market, Gateway stopped delivering systems built around Intel's quad-core processors. Instead, the PC vendor switched camps and now is offering AMD quad-core Phenom 9500 and 9600 systems.
Gateway will start shipping two new desktop configurations powered by quad-core variants of Phenom processors. In addition to its FX7020 gaming PC (powered by the Phenom 9600), the vendor also offers the GT5662 and the high-end multimedia system, the GM5664.
"Gateway's new retail line up marries high-performance with affordability," said Glenn Jystad, Gateway's senior manager of consumer desktops. "These new systems offer just about everything one could ask for in a powerful PC, delivering a great combination of features that are sure to please."
The Gateway GM5664 and GT5662 are two multimedia-oriented desktop systems. Apart from AMD's Phenom quad-core, the system includes DirectX 10 technology and a new Hybrid-SuperMulti drive to allow users to watch both Blu-ray and HD DVD content. The GT5662 comes with a 500GB hard drive, a Phenom 9500 processor working at 2.2 GHz, 3 GB of memory and a 256 MB ATY 2400 XT graphics card.
The system sells for $750 without a monitor and replaces the previous GT5628 model, that used to feature an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU running at 2.4 GHz, 3 GB of system memory, a GeForce 8500GT graphics card and a 500 GB of storage space. The previous price was situated around $850 and was above the entry-point to the mainstream segment of desktop PCs.
The GM5664 is more powerful and more expensive than its smaller brother. It comes with a 2.3 GHz Phenom 9600 chip and 1 TB of hard-disk storage for multimedia enthusiasts. It also features a built-in TV tuner and a hybrid HD DVD/Blu-ray drive.