I like the idea but I hate the part where they call it Athlon64 X2, cause I was just getting happy they were standardizing their whole X2 line by making them all 512k cache so that clock speed it what differentiates the models... now we're back to annoying cases where some speed grades have performance characteristics that are different from eachother.

I hope they call it a highend Sempron X2 or Athlon64 X1.5 or something instead and thus keep their lineup neat and clean.

Gosh. What's with the cache? First AMD stops making 1M X 2 chips, and now they're introducing Athlon-branded chips with only 256K per core.

Meanwhile, the Celeron's being boosted to 512K...

so, this is the same as two Sempron 3400+ right? Amd does not need to release a lower clocked version with the same amount of cache because they can be easily overclocked, and amd doesn't have yield problems. However, by shinking the cache, they can save some money.

Don't all athlon 64 derivatives already have the crossbar switch or whatever, allowing a second core to be added? IMO these specs make total sense.

Doesn't the 3800 run @ 1.8?

Maybe this is part of the stipulations that Dell wanted? A cheap low end dual core CPU to sell in $500 machines? I dunno, but its an idea.

So, why not call it a Semperon X2? Or is the Semperon name on the way out?

So, they have problems yielding 2x512k cache?

Rules of tech commentary #1034: Always read headlines.

I clicked on the comments having read something about AMD mulling Chapter 11....

Whoops :-D,
-Mole

They would have to offer that chip at $130 or lower for it be attractive. If they could offer a 35w version at $130 it would be quite attractive.