AMD’s triple treat: the world’s first x86 triple-core processor E-mail
by Alex Zaharov-Reutt   
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Although triple-core processors aren’t new, they are in the x86 world, with the launch of the AMD Phenom X3, coupled with the AMD 780G chipset. Is it enough to shake Intel to the core, and what more is in store from AMD?

AMD are billing the combination of the triple-core 64-bit AMD Phenom X3 processor and the AMD 780G series chipset as the ‘ultimate mainstream desktop platform’, although I’m sure we’ll hear what Intel has to say in response at their upcoming Shanghai IDF next week.

AMD says the new processor provides “gamers and digital media enthusiasts with exceptional performance at mainstream price points”, suggesting AMD will continue its long-running price with Intel.

AMD’s claim to benefit fame is that the Phenom X3 has been “designed to improve multi-threaded application performance over dual-core processors at the same clock speed”, bringing “multi-core technology to a broader audience in search of desktop PCs that easily handle today's digital entertainment workloads.”

Of course a processor is nothing without its accompanying recommended chipset, which in this case is the AMD 780G series chipset, which AMD says will, in combination with a Phenom X3 of course, deliver “significant enhancements in gaming and high-definition experiences for mainstream PC customers”, such as “a full HD experience with support for the latest and most demanding formats, including VC-1, MPEG-2 and H.264 on a mainstream PC.” 

AMD are also offering a Unified Video Decoder (UVD), a solution which can “process HD playback on the better-suited GPU rather than the CPU so consumers may enjoy a smooth HD viewing experience-less lag, stalling and dropped scenes-in the latest Blu-ray titles” – and will surely do the same for anyone still hanging onto their now obsolete HD DVD internal players, burners and movies.   

Bob Brewer, AMD’s corporate veep of strategic marketing said: "In 2007, AMD committed to delivering AMD Phenom triple-core processors in Q1 2008 and today the company makes good on that promise. AMD understands that today's PC applications are best accelerated with a range of multi-core products from quad- to triple- to dual-core processors, and that's why we now deliver the broadest multi-core desktop lineup in the industry."

Vista users will be happy to know that the X3 and the 780G chipset offers “DirectX 10 game compatibility, so casual gamers can now enjoy enhanced gaming experience such as truly lifelike 3D graphics and dynamic interactivity in the latest game titles.”

So, what other benefits is AMD spruiking for the X3, along with the processor speeds? Please read onto page 2.



 
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