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In an effort to remake both its mainstream and high-end desktop offerings,
Advanced Micro Devices is releasing the first of its tri-core Phenom processors and is adding several new quad-core parts to its lineup.

AMD will release two Phenom X3 triple-core processors, along with
five additional Phenom X4 quad-core processors, March 26, as the chip maker and
its OEM partners prepare to refresh their PC lineups during the second quarter
of 2008. Hewlett-Packard and Dell are both expected to offer new systems built around these AMD
chips.

While some of the quad-core and tri-core processors offer the same amount of
performance, AMD is hoping to distinguish
the Phenom X3 chips from the X4 chips through aggressive pricing. While the
tri-core models will start at about $150 per 1,000 units shipped, the quad-core
parts begin at about $200. For now, AMD is
selling the Phenom X3 chips directly to OEMs, but the quad-core parts will be
available through its channel.

Read the full story on eWEEK.com.