AMD eyes Intel, Windows 7 with $99 chip

Advanced Micro Devices will try to inject new life into the lackluster desktop PC market with the first sub-$100 quad-core processor aimed at Windows 7--and Intel.

It's all about mobile computing today. But AMD's Athlon II X4 quad-core processor will give consumers something to consider on the desktop when Windows 7 ships in October. The chip is priced at $99 for "system builders," according to AMD.

"The introduction of the new AMD mainstream desktop platform coupled with Windows 7, allows...a faster, higher performing experience at an attractive price point," said Mike Ybarra, general manager of Windows Product Management at Microsoft, in a statement.

Some reviewers were quick to praise the chip. "It's often hard to get excited about low-end and mainstream hardware," wrote technology Web site Hot Hardware on Wednesday. "However, AMD's new quad-core Athlon II X4 processors are something we can definitely get excited about."

AMD is trying to create some buzz for Windows 7 desktop PCs

(Credit: AMD)

"AMD didn't just deliver on price, they also managed to produce quite a competitive product that was able to keep up with more expensive processors like Intel's Q8200 and AMD's own Phenom IIs," the review said. The closest competing quad-processor from Intel is the Core 2 Quad Q8200, priced at around $150 at resellers.

Other reviews, however, were more Tepid. "The Athlon II X4 620 is just $20 cheaper than the Phenom II X3 (triple core)...in terms of performance the triple-core chip will likely be faster than the Athlon II X4 620 in most cases, as it is also clocked 200MHz higher," TechSpot wrote.

Beyond price, AMD is also claiming energy efficiency, saying that the use of the latest 45-nanometer manufacturing process allows it to draw less power than a standard 75-watt light bulb. Until this year, AMD had been building its processor on a 65-nanometer process. Typically, the smaller the geometries of a chip, the faster and more power efficient it is.

The quad-core processor is used in combination with the 785G chipset, which integrates ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics silicon. The pricing of the chipset is separate from the processor.

Pricing for consumer-ready systems based on the Athlon II X4 processor were not immediately available.

ZT Systems will be selling systems later this month through Sears.com and Buy.com that are expected to be priced around $500, according to AMD spokesman Matt Davis. Other resellers, such as iBuypower and CyberPower, are also expected to bring out systems.

[slickuser]

For how long? Once Intel 32nm based CPUs start to come out, existing ones will be
made lot cheaper....

[sargess25]

"....... Windows 7 with $99 chip" associating Windows to something cheap, it does have a nice ring to it ... lol .... AMD are in for a winner!

[WinNoMo]

We all know the cheapest products Win dows.

[viper396]

It takes a petty and cynical person to argue that price equates to quality. A smart person knows how to manage his money and you two obviously don't fall into that list. All the Billionaires and Millionaires of the world didn't get where they are by making choices based upon which were more expensive.

[WinNoMo]

The opposite can be said. All the Billionaires and Millionaires of the world didn't get where they are by making choices based upon which were least expensive. They make choices based upon which offers the greatest value.

A large number of people are poor because of the choices they make. Including flocking to a particular computer, processor, or piece of furniture at Walmart because it is the cheapest. Then it doesn't hold it's value, or last as long. So they can't get any value back out, or they have to spend money to keep it working.

Sheeeeeple. Baaaaa.

[eyepoker]

@winnomo

Whatever.... i built my AMD-based windows machine from scratch, parts purchased from Fry's, and it runs just fine thank you for the past two years. Its always on, never reboots but for automatic updates. Its my gaming machine. TIme for a videocard/processor upgrade so... I think I will build a new machine and give this one to my cousin. In any event, I bought some cheap parts, yeah, and I spent the cash where it would make the biggest impact in my particular rig... got great value for my money.

[Seaspray0]

@winnomo. Microsoft doesn't make the hardware so I don't know why you are trying to associate a software company with hardware. But, if you want the cheapest OS, then that would be linux. Snow Leopard upgrade is the second cheapest.

[user20000]

AMD FTW

[mdzakaria]

If AMD would not be there Intel would do the same treatment to YOU. You would still buy Pentium IV for $500 a piece with a TDP of 150W.

[KTLA_knew]

I'm curious how this stacks up against Intel's best chip under $100.

[Hey_Radar]

Surprised they didn't name it: AMD Athlon "7" X4

[macksumum]

so where can you find these chips for $99?the cheapest place online that i can find these CPU's is at a cost of $107.99.

[viper396]

Did you miss the part about October? They are tying it to the release of Windows 7 and Windows 7 hasn't release yet.

[abcd9009]

I believe the article states - The chip is priced at $99 for "system builders,".

For end users it will be a bit expensive so $107.99 sounds about right.

[pmfjoe]

I am sure the $99 price is probably in quantities of 1000.

[Seaspray0]

You may have also missed the part that said... The chip is priced at $99 for "system builders," according to AMD.

[tektaktyks]

how about the best place for parts,,,,newegg ?duh!?

[GaMEChld]

its $99 on newegg.com, what's so hard?

[macksumum]

for everyone saying that i need to check newegg,you need to check the date that this question was asked.on 9-16-2009 newegg was selling this chip for $107.99 which was the same date that this question was asked.the next day newegg changed the price to $99 so before you start playing smart you need to get your facts straight.

[play7]

Rather bulk rate PMfjoe...........Well see these prices areound the world reflecting the current monies rate at 99.00 us........

[Sadodare]

Welp, I can't believe you don't all know to do this...but really, Check Newegg first, they're selling the 620 for 99.00 even....

[macksumum]

they were selling the chips for $107.99 but they lowered the price the next day after they started selling them.that was the first place that i checked.

[Sadodare]

Welp, I can't believe you don't all know to do this...but really, Check Newegg first, they're selling the 620 for 99.00 even....

[born_yesterday]

will wait for the cnet banchmark before I buy this cpu

[play7]

I saw the specs...............I pass no thank you make its a 3.0 version and I think about it. 2.8 ? no way! Besides it cost NOT 99.00 Prices range BUT 120.00 US for the highest speed what a bunch of BS!!!!!!

[NS Podcaster]

I just purchased this on Newegg in a nice MoBo combo. I'll post here how it goes.