As promised earlier in their processor roadmap, AMD has launched the new Dragon platform featuring the new 45nm quad-core Phenon II X4 processors. Aimed at the high-end desktop and gaming market, the Dragon platform comprises of the 45nm Phenom II X4 CPUs, AMD 790 series chipset, and ATI Radeon HD 4800 series graphics. Two new processors, the 2.8GHz Phenom II X4 920 and the 3.0GHz X4 940, were also launched at a price of $235 (Rs. 11,500 approx.) and $275 (Rs. 13,400 approx.), respectively.

 

AMD promised to introduce the Dragon platform in their processor roadmap last year. AMD boasts of new 45nm quad-core Phenom II X4 processors in the platform, codenamed Deneb, to offer smoother HD entertainment and high-end gaming experiences.

 

These are the same Phenom II X4 chips that AMD claimed to be overclockable to 5GHz at 1.9v CPU voltage using liquid nitrogen. With the new 45nm Phenom II chips, AMD makes a return as a competitor to Intel, who has the 45nm process Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, and Core i7 processors to its credit.

 

Built on 45nm process technology, the quad-core Phenom II X4 CPUs have a 512KB L2 cache per core (a total 2MB L2 cache), 6MB shared L3 cache, and an integrated 128-bit memory controller packed in 940-pin socket AM2+ packaging. Phenom II X4 920 is clocked at 2.8GHz, while Phenom II X4 940 is clocked at 3.0GHz.

 

The beefed up 6MB L3 shared cache in the Phenom II CPUS scores over the original Phenom design with a 2MB shared cache. Phenom II chips support up to 1066MHz DDR2 memory, and AMD promises to bring DDR3 support with the AM3 socket later in 2009 to compete with Intel Core i7's flaunting of DDR3 support.

 

The Dragon platform also includes the ATI Radeon HD 4800 series graphics card supporting DirectX 10 with AMD's 790 series chipset, and thus slots the Dragon platform into the PC gaming and the HD entertainment desktop segment. Hence, with AMD and ATI made drivers for overclocking and customizing system settings, users can get more performance from the Phenom II X4 chips paired with the ATI Radeon HD 4800 graphics cards.

 

On the pricing front, AMD will yet again manage to win against Intel's Core i7 package. Intel's configuration consisting of the Core i7 CPU, X58-based motherboard, and DDR3 memory will cost comparatively more than AMD's Phenom II X4, AM2+ based motherboard, and DDR2 memory.

 

Phenom II X4 920 and X4 940 will be e-tailed from NewEgg.com and tigerdirect.com, while we'll have to wait till India-specific prices for the same are announced.