Consumers looking for elite-level computing branded with a low-end price tag should look no further, as AMD today launched its "Dragon" platform technology featuring the new AMD Phenom II X4 processor.
In fact, AMD is shooting for elite-level performance for under $900 USD with its just-announced Dragon desktop platform technology. The system comes jammed-packed with powerful AMD goodness including the Phenom II X4 processor (clocking up to 3.0 GHz), the ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics processors, and AMD 7-Series chipsets. But don't let all that smoking-hot hardware scare off the wallet: AMD expects the maximum consumers will need to pay for a Dragon platform is $1,200 USD.
If fact, according to the company, a Dragon platform desktop PC consisting of the new AMD Phenom II X4 processor, ATI Radeon HD 4870 1 GB graphics card, the AMD 790GX motherboard and 4 GB of DDR2-1066 memory can be purchased for approximately $900 USD; a comparable platform would cost over $2100 USD. Not too shabby for a desktop computer aimed at delivering quality HD entertainment but not costing a few limbs and gold teeth in the process.
“With Dragon platform technology, AMD is changing the desktop industry landscape by offering affordable performance and maximum headroom for gaming, video editing, and other media-intensive tasks,” said Leslie Sobon, vice president of product marketing, AMD. “Through our Fusion platform approach, AMD is able to deliver CPUs, GPUs and chipsets that work better together to meet the industry’s evolving needs today and well into the future.”
While the AMD Phenom II X4's intelligent multi-core technology provides processing power during multitasking, the ATI Radeon HD 4800 series graphics and the AMD-7 series chipsets deliver a superior visual experience with smooth video game display resolutions in-game, limited only by the resolutions of gamers' monitors. The Dragon platform also boasts energy efficiency, using AMD's Cool'n'Quiet 3.0 that offers low processor temperatures and quiet fans, keeping those all-night n00b hunting escapades down to a hushed breeze.
“As a result of its exceptional energy efficiency advances and an affordable price/performance ratio, AMD Phenom II X4 deserves our seldom-granted Recommended Buy award," states Bert Toepelt and Frank Voelkel in Tom's Hardware's benchmark article. Head here to read the full story.
According to AMD, the $900 system mentioned above benchmarks an average of 38 frames per second in the hit PC game, Crysis. Systems featuring the Dragon platform should start rolling out soon. PC builders looking to buy the processor without the entire scaly Dragon can pick up the 3.0 GHz version (Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition) for $275 USD and the 2.8 GHz version (Phenom II X4 920) for $235 USD.
