AMD has launched its Socket AM2 desktop processors, among them the forecast Athlon 64 X2 5000+ and the X2 4000+ clocked at 2.6GHz and 2.0GHz, respectively, and priced at $696 and $328. It also introduced the $1,031, 2.8GHz Athlon 64 FX-62, and the $343, 2.4GHz Athlon 64 400+.

The Socket AM2 versions of other single- and dual-core Athlons are all priced to match existing Socket 939 chip price-points. The X2 4000+ is Socket AM2-only; other X2s are available for both interconnects. The FX-62 is available in both AM2 and 939 forms. Curiously, the single-core 4000+ is only available in Socket 939 form, according to AMD's website.

In other words, it not only lacks support for DDR 2 SDRAM and hardware-enabled virtualisation, but it also consumes more power. AMD's processor specs show the Socket AM2 chips consuming less power than their Socket 939 equivalents. For example, two Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 4800+ CPUs are available, consuming 89W and 65W, respectively. The latter is labelled "energy efficient" by AMD. The Socket 939 X2 4800+ consumes 110W.

AMD also rolled out Socket AM2 Sempron 64 desktop CPUs, some replacing Socket 754 and Socket 939 parts, others shipping alongside Socket 754 versions. AMD's announcement said the Sempron 3000+, 3200+, 3400+, 3500+ and 3600+ processors would be available in Socket AM2 and Socket 939 forms, but its website lists these as Socket AM2 and Socket 754 parts. ®

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