AMD this week added a 3000+ rated processor to its 32-bit Sempron desktop chip line-up.

The $123 part was added to the company's price list without fanfare. Unlike previously announced Semprons the new part contains 512KB of L2 cache - the others have 256KB.

Indeed, the older Sempron 2800+ is, like the new model, clocked at 2GHz, with the bigger cache accounting for the higher performance rating. The 256KB L2 Sempron 3100+ achieves its higher-still rating despite a 1.8GHz clock frequency thanks to it being a Socket 754 Athlon 64 chip in disguise.

AMD is known to be preparing Socket 939, Athlon 64-derived Semprons, courtesy of an Nvidia announcement (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/28/nvidia_sempron_939/), due to ship later this year. ®

Related stories

Nvidia confirms Socket 939 Semprons on way (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/28/nvidia_sempron_939/)
Does Sempron herald end of Athlon XP? (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/28/amd_roadmap/)
AMD ships Sempron (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/28/amd_sempron/)
AMD grabs Intel market share in desktop arena (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/09/amd_vs_intel_retail/)
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Related review

AMD Sempron desktop CPU (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/07/30/review_amd_sempron_desktop/)