AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ in channel for US$149, price cut to follow
 

As earlier expected, AMD started shipping its Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 3600+ dual-core CPU to channel partners ahead of the original schedule. The processor is priced at US$149 in the channel, but the price is subject to change, according to distributors.

Industry sources consider this CPU as a potential competitor to Intel's existing Pentium D 915 (2.8GHz core frequency, 2x2MB L2 cache) and 945 (3.4GHz, 2x2MB) processors, as well as the future Pentium D 925 (3GHz, 2x2MB) and maybe the Core 2 Duo E4300 (1.8GHz, 2MB), which are respectively expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007.