AMD launches last single-cores

AMD has introduced the x56 series of processors and has said they will be the last single-core chips the company will produce as it moves everything else over to dual-core products.

Running at 3GHz, the 256 and 856 processors offer more performance than their predecessors while using the same amount of power.

HP, Sun and IBM are using them in workstations and servers due to launch over the next few weeks.

An entry-level 156 processor is due next month. The processors are targeted at businesses where price-performance and heat concerns rule out the need for more expensive dual-core processors.

'We are cognisant of the needs of our customers and even as the industry shifts towards multi-core, AMD continues to offer single-core Opteron processors that address today's data centre concerns such as performance, power efficiency and TCO', said Pat Patla, director, Server/Workstation Marketing, Microprocessor Solutions Sector, AMD.