AMD puts the pressure on
Advanced Micro Devices has begun to market a line of energy-efficient desktop processors based on models the chipmaker already sells.
Current AMD desktop chips can consume a maximum 89 watts or more; the energy-efficient desktop chips will consume a maximum 35 to 65 watts.
Chips rarely hit their maximum output in watts, but, typically, a chip with a higher thermal ceiling will consume more energy in ordinary circumstances than a one with a lower thermal rating. In notebooks, this is crucial because it directly impacts battery performance.
More important for desktops, a chip with a lower thermal ceiling can also be smaller and lighter because the manufacturer can reduce the size of heat sinks, fans and other components to eliminate excess heat generated by the processor.
The energy-efficient chips are actually the same as the standard Athlon 64 (for standard desktops), Sempron (the budget model) and Athlon X2 (dual-core) processors AMD already sells. AMD, however, will test them at the factory and those that consume electricity below a certain threshold will be sold as energy-efficient models.
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