With Intel’s Core i7 line of CPUs completely owning the high-end performance CPU space, AMD’s chosen instead to focus on delivering compelling value with their latest processors. More specifically, AMD’s strategy has been to give consumers more processing cores per dollar than the competition.
Take the $100 price point for instance. Here AMD offers two quad-core Athlon II CPUs, the Athlon II X4 620 and the X4 630. Right now Newegg offers the 620 for $98, and the 630 for $99, both with free shipping.
In comparison Intel’s cheapest quad-core part is the Core 2 Quad Q8400. This is a CPU that’s 1-year old and is based on an outdated LGA-775 platform that’s been replaced, and sells for $163.
At that same price point AMD offers the Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition. The 955 BE is a 3.2GHz CPU with four cores, 6MB of L3 cache, and will run circles around the Q8400.
