Value

The product name may have changed (again), but the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is still based on the Athlon 64 FX AM2 architecture, and is a direct 3.0 GHz upgrade to the Athlon 64 FX-62. These FX processors used to carry an initial retail price in the $1K range, but have recently dropped significantly due to Core 2 Duo and Quad pressure, so we were curious to see in what range the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ would fall. At launch, AMD has set their 1KU price at $459, and as we've seen from prior AMD models, retail prices are usually close to that amount.

This is very surprising, and to see a 3.0 GHz Athlon 64 FX-level processor on sale for less than $500 is quite a shock. This price discrepancy might sound a bit strange, but although the architecture remains consistent, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ does not include FX features like an open clock ratio, and is not "enthusiast level" in terms of AMD's marketing. Still, a 3.0 GHz Athlon 64 X2 with 2x1MB for under $500 is a very attractive deal, especially when compared to the 2.8 GHz Athlon 64 FX-62 ($700), Core 2 Quad Q6600 ($850), Core 2 Extreme X6800 ($950), and Core 2 Extreme QX6700 ($1,000) processors. Amazingly, the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ might even out price the 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo E6700, which currently sells for over $500.

* Please note that these prices were taken at the time of review and are not meant to reflect long-term trends.

Conclusion

The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ launch is anticlimactic in some areas, as a 200 MHz increase to the existing Athlon 64 FX architecture can only yield a finite performance gain. That does supply new Athlon 64 X2 high water marks in most performance benchmarks, but it's still a case of the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ extending the AMD lead, or closing the gap with the Core 2 Duo and Quad. The real surprise is the retail price. AMD's decision to go hard at Intel with a sub-$500 price tag is great news for hardware enthusiasts, and the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ presents an attractive upgrade or new system alternative to the high-end Core 2 models.

Pros:

• Fastest AMD Desktop CPU
• 3.0 GHz for under $500
• AM2 Upgrade Compatible

Cons:

• Still 90nm
• Non-standard DDR2 Speeds

Ratings: