However, the price performance characteristics of the new chip don't stack up too well for anything other than serious gaming.

Available immediately, the Athlon 64 FX-57 processor, the world's ultimate PC processor for enthusiasts and hard-core gamers, says AMD.

The high-performance single core processor is optimised for single threaded 3D gaming and contrasts AMDs most recent dual-core CPU the Athlon 64 X2 which delivers up to 80 per cent performance improvement (for digital media and productivity apps) over a single core processor. The 64 FX-57 is only a 7 per cent improvement over its predecessor the FX 55. The 90 nm chip is clocked at 2.8GHz and has 1MB L2 cache.

AMD plans to introduce a dual-core version of the AMD Athlon 64 FX processor when multi-threaded software games are available to take advantage of its benefits.
"AMD recognizes that today's games are single-threaded. Users who crave the absolute best performance on 3D games and extreme applications can experience realistic physics and lighting, as well as gripping artificial intelligence and sound, with the single-core AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor," said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president, Desktop Business, Microprocessor Solutions Sector (MSS), AMD.
Rob Enderle, principal analyst for The Enderle Group said: "The AMD Athlon 64 FX-57 processor is the highest performing single-core processor in the consumer market and I believe that at least for the next 18 months, it is this single-core performance that will be most important to the most competitive players of PC games".

Speed comes at a price though. With a volume price of more than US$1000 this chip is for serious gamers.