AMD debuts Athlon II X2 250 and Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition CPUs
By Darren Murph 
posted Jun 1st 2009 9:00PM
posted Jun 1st 2009 9:00PM
Read - HotHardware review
Read - AMDZone review
Read - OverclockersClub review
Read - PC Perspective review
Read - LostCircuits review
Read - BenchmarkReviews review
Read - TechSpot review
Read - X-bit Labs review
Read - Legion Hardware review
AMD Introduces Next Generation AMD Athlon™ II Processor, Adds Dual Core to Record-Setting AMD Phenom™ II Processor Lineup
− AMD Athlon™ II processor delivers new native dual-core architecture, efficient 45nm technology and 3 GHz performance at an affordable price −
− AMD Phenom™ II X2 Black Edition processor combines value and unlocked potential for gamers and tuners on a budget −
COMPUTEX 2009 (TAIPEI, Taiwan) - June 2, 2009 - Bringing its acclaimed 45nm technology to new high-volume processor designs, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced two new dual-core desktop processors. Building on 10 years of AMD Athlon™ processor innovation, the new 45nm AMD Athlon™ II X2 250 processor gives mainstream consumers exceptional performance, efficiency and value. For enthusiasts and overclockers, AMD also announces the AMD Phenom™ II X2 550 Black Edition processor, the first ever dual-core AMD Phenom II CPU.* With this latest addition to the AMD Phenom II processor family, users can now experience the power of AMD platform technology, codenamed "Dragon," with dual-, triple- and quad-core configurations.
AMD Athlon II X2 Processor Details
• The AMD Athlon II X2 250 performs exceptionally well when combined with AMD chipsets and integrated graphics solutions to create an all-AMD platform. Platforms featuring all-AMD technology can deliver up to twice the graphics performance of those with Intel integrated graphics.¹
• Windows® 7 is optimized for multi-core processors like AMD Athlon™ II processors to give consumers an amazingly fast, simple and engaging PC experience.** For example, Windows 7 is tuned to make the most of the these new processors' power management features, such as AMD PowerNow!™ 3.0 technology. AMD power management technologies, in combination with Windows 7, can help OEMs and partners to build exceptionally green, cool and quiet PCs.
• Based on AMD's acclaimed 45nm process technology, the AMD Athlon II dual-core processor has a TDP of 65W and can slash power consumption by up to 50 percent when doing basic tasks, up to 40 percent when running heavy workloads and up to 50 percent when at idle.²
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Details
• AMD Black Edition processors, like the AMD Phenom™ II X2 550, help users to take control and unleash the maximum potential of Dragon platform technology's unprecedented performance tuning capabilities.* The same massive headroom that set world records in recent months is at users' finger tips, offering impressive performance at a price the competition can't beat.³
• Users can also maximize their overclocking experience by utilizing the new features and capabilities of AMD OverDrive™ 3.0, designed to enable quick and effective tuning of their PC experience for optimal performance.*
• With dual-, triple- or quad-core processors, AMD provides platform level solutions at multiple price points, each of which exceeds expectations for virtually any user.
dual core phenom II? w00t?
Another good review of both the Phenom II X2 and the Athlon II X2 processors: http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=721
Is anyone else finding the naming to be... a tad unnecessary?
Try reading it out: AMD Athlon II X2 250
Cesus Jhrist
Why not just drop the Athlon name and go with something more sexy? Like Cubra, or Silvo
Best bit of all is that it seems these processors may unlock the extra cores super easily. If this is the case, boy talk about a glorious bang for buck!
Read about it here:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1184444/phenom-ii-x2-550-black-edition-surprise
...hope the engadget peeps don't mind the linkage :-/
The athlon x2 250 was built from the ground up, and the phenom II 550 is just a salvaged quad
has to be done:
will it run cry....AAHHHH!
Achievement unlocked: troll slayer
Achievement Unlocked? Someones been playing a little too much Xbox.
These are probably for Budget-minded people.
AMD is for budget-minded people.
Yes. Yes, they are.
@BigD145
I mean the reallly really poor people that the budget-minded x4's are too expensive
*psst* Really, really poor people don't buy computers.
I stick by my original statement.
dual cores are easier to overclock with their typically lower thermal loads
hopefully this phenom II x2 can fly towards 5ghz with some ease or else people will flock to the revamped wolfdales chipzilla is putting out
West (left) half?
We need more good budget chips, and that's where AMD always beats Intel.
AMD has always had good budget chips, but the OEMs sold out to Intel.
For enthusiasts OEMs might not matter, but they account for most pc sales.
HotHardware misspelled "Phenom" wrong at the last page. LOL.
Uhm... take out "wrong" from that sentence.
Gotta love people who use bad grammar when they are pointing out other people's spelling mistakes :)
So about what % performance gap do these have vs the Core i7 920 etc. stock clocks.
Intel will discontinue the Core i7 920 and 940, for the slower, lack of triple channel memory (apparently) support, sold close the same price as the Core i7 920, called the Core i5, which will be on a new socket.
These are inexpensive dual cores designed for cheap computers. They offer excellent bang for the buck, but they don't compete with Core i7 on any level.
That is a dick move for Intel to discontinue the 920 and 940. I wouldn't mind as much if the Core i5 didn't use a different fucking socket. Those who buy the 920 now are lucky but those in the future are stuck with the overpriced i7 processors, the 920 is great bang for the buck and Intel will get a lot of shit for this.
Love ya AMD!
Anyone else wonder if the new Phenom II X2 is also a quad-core Phenom II with two defective cores disabled, like the older Phenom X3's?
If so, it just sounds like AMD is trying to cash in on the piles of defective CPUs that they may be making, just like Intel's Core Solo line.
I'd rather spend the money on a CPU that's passed all QC tests, as a personal preference.
The Phenom II X2s are not native dual-cores unfortunately. I'd suspect we don't see those for some while. Apparently the Athlons are completely new though.
It's not a matter of QC. A certain number of defects will always exist per platter. Intel sells such chips, too- Core 2 Duos with cache disabled, dual-core Nehalem Xeons, etc.
How many Intels are there?
Looks like the Athlons may be the way to go. I can't wait to see what AMD reveals on the mobile side. They really need something solid.
45nm~~~intel 32nm is on the way
I like Intel too, but you are just being a douche about things
I don't understand how a dual core processor is this exciting. Very good AMD, you made a cheap processor with two cores.
Great job AMD! I'm so excited about rising back of AMD. Everyone loves the underdog. Personally I prefer AMD chip for entertainment. http://www.itcenter.vn/tim-kiem/569/kw=%20AMD
I have one of those triple cores (2.3 8400) coupled with a gtx280 and 4gb ddr2 it blazes.
plays anything i throw at it at high framerate with graphic detail all the way up.
people who say they are crap, obviously haven't used them. they are excellent :-)
I'm going to order a phenom 2 (debating about the black) as I want to overclock a bit, but at 2.8 or 2.9, they're pretty high as it is
yes, Looks like the Athlons may be the way to go. I can't wait to see what AMD reveals on the mobile side.
The Phenom series is a Quad core die with 2 cores disabled. Through the dragon platform you should be able unlock the extra cores....sort of an easter egg for tweekers. Black edition means that the multiplier clock is unlocked and therefore very easy to overclock as well. There are some respectable published performance numbers when using an all AMD rig (CPU, GPU, Mobo). AMD's value proposition has been towards the "average joe"; however with a little hard work and coaching the potential to transform into a "hunk". This is the sweetspot in the industry, dont get me wrong I think the core i7 is a wonderful piece of engineering however with the economy where it is at; the value to performance ratio is with AMD.
Unlocking core that may have a huge hole somewhere in the logic, or some transistors fused open, or a cache that forgets it's contents.. sounds like a brilliant idea.
It's isabled for a reason. By all means try it.. but don't buy one because of this, and don't let people that don't know better read comments like yours and think they're getting a cheap quad!
finally some competition. competition is good.
Amen to that!
AMD does not cheat like Intel, so no one cares.
There is plenty of information about these chips....just not on Engadget. So I guess they will just have to you know, try harder.