AMD has a new dual core processor in its arsenal, the X2 5200+. The 5200+ currently becomes the top of line X2 processor above the 5000+. It is based on AMD’s current AM2 socket and has a dedicated 2 MB L2 cache. Its clock frequency is same as the 5000+ at 2.6 GHz, also based on the AM2 socket, the only difference being the L2 cache. The 5000+ has a dedicated 1MB L2 cache.
The official PIB (Processor in a box, essentially meaning processor with the heat sink and fan) pricing of the 5200+ is 403$ as compared to the 301$ price tag of the 5000+. The increased L2 cache is supposed to give better performance in memory intensive applications, though whether it justifies the $102 price difference will only be seen after the reviews start trickling in. The increased L2 cache demands more power. The 5000+ has a 65 watt TDP and with the 5200+ it jumps up to 89 watts.


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