Monday 9th October 2001 saw AMD release it’s latest version of the highly successful Athlon processor line in the form of the Athlon XP. The release of the Athlon XP is significant for a number of reasons. The first being that the Athlon XP is the first desktop Athlon chip to feature the new “Palomino” core which brings with it a host of new and interesting features. The second reason is that the Athlon XP pushes the clock speed of AMD’s K7 derived core up to 1.53 Ghz (Athlon XP 1800). The third reason is that the Athlon XP has brought with it plenty of controversy surrounding not only it’s name, but the new speed rating system which AMD has chosen to market the chip with.

The Athlon XP will not be marketed using it’s true clock-speed but will now rely upon new speed rating numbers designed to reflect performance relative to other higher-clocked chips such as the Intel Pentium 4. Readers who remember the P Rating system employed by Cyrix (and occasionally AMD) in the mid to late-90s may not like the idea of the Athlon XP being marketed with model numbers, but this is the path AMD have chosen to go down.

The Athlon XP is based upon the new “Palomino” core from AMD which has already been seen in the mobile Athlon 4 and the SMP capable Athlon MP processors. The Athlon XP is the first desktop debut of the new “Palomino” core.

Despite the controversy the Athlon XP looks a rather interesting chip, and looks as if it is capable of keeping up the pressure on Intel in the high-end market. To find out what the Athlon XP features, read on...

Athlon Thunderbird - Page 2.

Athlon XP - Features.