After delay AMD has launched a quad-core processors, who in principle there is no cache L3, most of those who are known under the code name Propus. The real reason for such a long delay in release of this processor is still unknown. Let's hope that this is actually processors without cache L3, rather than a model with a disabled cache, on the one hand, allow users to make very hard-nosed Propus (Athlon X4 II) in the Deneb (Phenom X4 II), on the other hand, will to high power consumption of all systems with these processors.

Official brand new CPU AMD Athlon ─ II X4 640, this model will operate at a frequency of 3.0GHz and will have only the L2 cache size 4x 512Kb. He will have no cache L3, its release is scheduled for September 16. There is a possibility that some of these processors will actually Deneb processors and will have a hidden cache L3. Well, let's see.

Claimed power of the new processor is 95Vt, that is the same as that of Deneb. According to some experts, the difference in the performance of new products and has already released Deneb processors will be small. AMD confirmed that for some series of processors Athlon II uses partially blocked core Deneb. Not surprisingly, the individual overclockers can unlock these processors and get them to greater productivity. While some manufacturers have already begun to use this fact in their marketing materials, saying that their motherboards can be used to access inactive L3. This may be true for processors based on the Deneb, but probably very soon they will no longer be on the market.

From the outset, Athlon II assumed 169mm chip Propus, but for some reason, the output of these models was detained and was released on the processor based on the trimmed area with Deneb 258mm. According to unconfirmed reports, AMD has used Propus to create energy-efficient chips Athlon II X4 6xxe. Obviously, a significant reduction in the area of the chip will have a positive impact on pricing Propus, and series processors Athlon II will become the cheapest quad on the market.

Additionally, AMD plans to launch triple-core processors Rana, made on 45nm process technology, with a frequency 3.1GGts. These processors will come under the name of Athlon II X3 445. Under the brand name Athlon II will be released in the future quad-core processors Propus without cache L3, Rana triple-core and dual-core Regor, of course, with appropriate suffixes: x4 for quad, x3 to x2 for triple-core and dual-core models. Energy consumption of new triple-core processors will be all the same 95Vt, the clock frequency 3.1GGts, 3x 512Kb L2 cache and 0Mb cache L3. It is assumed that, as a rule, processors AMD Athlon II generation will be available, but it is still unclear how AMD plans to profit from these ultradeshevy models. With the recent emergence of processors Intel Core I5 and speedy release of Core i3, AMD processors to be pretty stiff competition, given that the Intel solution with a similar price models are often faster than AMD.