AMD debuts Athlon II X2 250 and Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition CPUs

If you're AMD, you've got to be feeling pretty good right now. Intel's busy handling a lawsuit bigger than the left half of Russia, you're finally free of that dreaded manufacturing business and you've got a new pair of mainstream CPUs debuting at Computex. The first of the two is the dual-core 45nm Athlon II X2 250, which features a TDP of 65-watts and can whittle power consumption down to 50 percent when handling just "basic tasks." Then there's the first-ever dual-core AMD Phenom II, the X2 550 Black Edition. Built from the ground-up for its 'Dragon' platform, this here chip also supports OverDrive 3.0 and should provide some higher-end features on a budget. Unfortunately, details beyond that are inexplicably scant, but we'll be sure to pass on whatever surfaces at the show. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: AMD debuts Athlon II X2 250 and Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition CPUs

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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.

[otdrummer @ Jun 1st 2009 9:09PM]

dual core phenom II? w00t?

[Ryan @ Jun 1st 2009 10:09PM]

Another good review of both the Phenom II X2 and the Athlon II X2 processors: http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=721

[RoboDan @ Jun 2nd 2009 1:18AM]

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

[astrodemoniac @ Jun 2nd 2009 4:44AM]

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 :-/

[Macbeth @ Jun 2nd 2009 11:16AM]

The athlon x2 250 was built from the ground up, and the phenom II 550 is just a salvaged quad

[otdrummer @ Jun 1st 2009 9:11PM]

has to be done:
will it run cry....AAHHHH!
Achievement unlocked: troll slayer

[Venom16 @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:05PM]

Achievement Unlocked? Someones been playing a little too much Xbox.

[CJ @ Jun 1st 2009 9:16PM]

These are probably for Budget-minded people.

[BigD145 @ Jun 1st 2009 9:43PM]

AMD is for budget-minded people.

Yes. Yes, they are.

[CJ @ Jun 1st 2009 10:05PM]

@BigD145
I mean the reallly really poor people that the budget-minded x4's are too expensive

[BigD145 @ Jun 1st 2009 10:08PM]

*psst* Really, really poor people don't buy computers.

I stick by my original statement.

[youngstunna @ Jun 1st 2009 11:06PM]

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

[Victory @ Jun 1st 2009 9:21PM]

West (left) half?

[KeegdnaB @ Jun 1st 2009 9:24PM]

We need more good budget chips, and that's where AMD always beats Intel.

[superhobo @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:21AM]

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.

[rcarm @ Jun 1st 2009 9:24PM]

HotHardware misspelled "Phenom" wrong at the last page. LOL.

[rcarm @ Jun 1st 2009 9:25PM]

Uhm... take out "wrong" from that sentence.

[Ashley Jones @ Jun 1st 2009 10:15PM]

Gotta love people who use bad grammar when they are pointing out other people's spelling mistakes :)

[mirakutea @ Jun 1st 2009 9:24PM]

So about what % performance gap do these have vs the Core i7 920 etc. stock clocks.

[Good_Bytes @ Jun 1st 2009 9:39PM]

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.

[futurepastnow @ Jun 1st 2009 9:48PM]

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.

[Cosmo @ Jun 1st 2009 11:19PM]

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.

[David @ Jun 1st 2009 9:27PM]

Love ya AMD!

[tyler @ Jun 1st 2009 9:34PM]

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.

[Banman @ Jun 1st 2009 10:15PM]

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.

[futurepastnow @ Jun 1st 2009 11:44PM]

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.

[ScrapMaker @ Jun 1st 2009 9:38PM]

How many Intels are there?

[Banman @ Jun 1st 2009 10:41PM]

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.

[versa5glen @ Jun 1st 2009 10:59PM]

45nm~~~intel 32nm is on the way

[The Walrus @ Jun 1st 2009 11:11PM]

I like Intel too, but you are just being a douche about things

[Will @ Jun 1st 2009 11:10PM]

I don't understand how a dual core processor is this exciting. Very good AMD, you made a cheap processor with two cores.

[Alex @ Jun 1st 2009 11:16PM]

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

[V Langs @ Jun 1st 2009 11:36PM]

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

[JohnTech @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:16AM]

yes, Looks like the Athlons may be the way to go. I can't wait to see what AMD reveals on the mobile side.

[Ichabod @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:52AM]

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.

[Alex @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:05AM]

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!

[harendra007 @ Jun 2nd 2009 2:11AM]

finally some competition. competition is good.

[Banman @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:16AM]

Amen to that!

[superhobo @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:17AM]

AMD does not cheat like Intel, so no one cares.

[Laughing Man @ Jun 3rd 2009 11:33AM]

There is plenty of information about these chips....just not on Engadget. So I guess they will just have to you know, try harder.