It has been quite some time since we've had the opportunity to review a new AMD processor. It was back in March that the Athlon XP 2100+ made its debut, and since then Intel has put the pedal to the metal, releasing wave after wave of new Pentium 4 processors. Some of these are high-performance units such as the Pentium 4-2.53 GHz, while others captured the imagination of the value overclocking crowd like the Pentium 4-1.6A and 1.8A. With Intel hitting from both sides of the processor spectrum, it really put pressure on AMD to release a newer, faster Athlon XP.
The wait is finally over and AMD has come through with their 0.13-micron Thoroughbred core. The models announced today include not only the flagship Athlon XP 2200+, but a redo of the current Athlon XP selection, from the 1700+ to the 2000+. There are a number of physical and aesthetic enhancements that AMD has made to the Thoroughbred core, which we will cover off in the review. For now, here is a picture of the Athlon XP Thoroughbred to whet your appetite.
To say that the AMD Athlon XP Thoroughbred release is highly anticipated would be an understatement of monumental proportions. AMD fans have been hoping and praying for an updated core to take on the Pentium 4, and the entire industry has been waiting for AMD to take Intel on in the 0.13-micron arena and provide competition and potentially lower prices. No matter which side of the fence you're sitting, or which CPU you will eventually purchase, the Athlon XP Thoroughbred is a very important processor release.
The Athlon XP 2200+ looks also great on paper, with a smaller core, lower voltage requirements and at least the potential of cooler-running operation and higher overclocking, but how well it stacks up to both the Intel and AMD competition is the real question.
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