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The most expensive AMD Opteron Barcelona-based processor for a two-CPU system is going to be the 2.0 GHz 2350 model for $389.  The quad-CPU designs will go as high as $1000 for the same 2.0 GHz speed. 

This smells VERY similar to the recent HD 2900 XT launch that AMD’s GPU division had earlier in the year — because their product couldn’t meet the performance/watt levels necessary to compete against the high end NVIDIA products, they aimed a lower priced product line with their top part.  They seem to be doing that here with Barcelona as well — this can either be GOOD for the industry if Barcelona turns out to perform very well or bad for AMD if it means they are sacrificing profit in order to stay competitive.

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The only information for desktop users looking for Barcelona processors is this single slide; they are going to be available in December according to what we see here.  And, it looks like the AMD 7xx chipsets will be ready in time for the new CPUs as well!

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AMD Barcelona Opteron Processor Launch Is Upon Us - Processors 38

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If you want to know more about the testing setups that were used in the benchmarks that AMD put in the presentation, all of that is here in the backup.  There is also more information on the ACP testing that AMD used in the calculation of their new power/performance metric. 

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Early Thoughts

So, there you have it — AMD’s Barcelona core processors are finally here.  While the official launch occurred today, we haven’t gotten any processors here to test yet but I imagine we’ll see more than a few reviews hitting the web.  The performance numbers quoted in the AMD slides are interesting — but definitely not conclusive of anything and should be taken with the stereo-typical grain of salt. 

I am HOPING that AMD’s CPU launch is a success as the competition would do the industry some good with Intel’s Core architecture CPUs handily beating the Athlons and Opterons for some time.  Pressure on Intel means lower prices and more advancement in performance, some thing we all want.  But I can’t shake off the feeling that Barcelona is going to end up much like AMD’s HD 2900 XT GPU launch — impressive in some aspects but overall a disappointment in its first iteration. 

We’ll learn more soon!

If you have any questions, comments or want to see what others are saying about this review, head into our processor forum to discuss!!!

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