phenom2810 (Updated at 2:06 AM PST) It certainly looks like we’re on the verge of a new processor price war here folks. The first round happened a few weeks back when AMD announced their new Phenom II processors – undercutting Intel’s quad core processor lineup. Intel responded in kind a few weeks later and now, it’s AMD’s turn to respond by releasing five new Phenom II processors including three quad core processors and the industry’s only 45nm triple core processors.

The new Phenom II processors fit in either AMD2+ or AM3 sockets and support either DDR2 or DDR3 memory. The five new models announced today are as follows (check the price list for up to date prices):

  • Phenom II X4 910 clocked at 2.6GHz
  • Phenom II X4 810 clocked at 2.6GHz – priced at $175
  • Phenom II X4 805 clocked at 2.5GHz
  • Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition clocked at 2.8GHz – priced at $145
  • Phenom II X3 710 clocked at 2.6GHz – priced at $125

Two early reviews out – one from Anandtech and one from ExtremeTech (we expect more reviews to hit the net as the day progresses). Anandtech had this to say about the new 810 processor:

“These new CPUs from AMD are good overclockers, good performers and they don’t have any real drawbacks unlike their predecessors. The most interesting CPU is the Phenom II X3 720; at $145 its only Intel competitors are the Core 2 Duo E7500 and the Core 2 Duo E8400, both of which are dual-core CPUs.“

ExtremeTech had this to say about the 810:

“AMD’s long anticipated move to socket AM3 is finally hear, but it disappoints somewhat with reduced cache sizes, clock rates and entry level performance. The price is right, though.”

With both processor lineups now roughly on par with one another, AMD is attempting to win over customers by simply offering lower prices. It’s a dangerous game to play for the company especially since they are now effectively fab-less. Intel can easily respond by lowering prices yet again – reducing processor prices to a point which will easily hurt AMD – even if they now have a competitive product.

Of course, all of this is great for you and I – the average consumer. It’d be great to have an inexpensive quad core desktop PC in the office.

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