Triple-core AMD CPUs come to HP, Gateway PCs

AMD's Phenom X3 processors, which use an unusual triple-core design as opposed to standard dual- or quad-core arrangements, are now available in a select number of HP and Gateway systems. Gateway's GT5670 desktop uses a 2.1GHz X3 8400, along with 3GB of RAM, a 320GB SATA II hard drive, and 3GB of RAM; graphics are limited however to an integrated GeForce 6150 SE chipset, as opposed to a dedicated card like the 8800. Best Buy is charging $550. The X3 8400 uses 2MB of L3 cache memory.

HP's primary offering is the Pavilion a6430f, which uses the same combination of processor, RAM and graphics. The hard drive is doubled in size to 640GB though, which helps push the computer's cost to $679. X3 processors are now also available in the existing a6450z series.

AMD has released two X3 processors, including the 8400 and the 2.3GHz 8600. These are the initial B2 versions of the technology, which contain a TLB bug; AMD insists that virtually no one will encounter an error however, as the bug is an extremely rare event. It should be fixed in the revised B3 chips, which will be identifiable by the "50" at the end of their name.

Four new Phenom X4 processors have additionally been released, already free of TLB problems. These include the 2.5GHz X4 9850 Black Edition, and the 2.4GHz 9750.

Filed under: computers
Other story tags: AMD, HP, Phenom, Gateway