AMD gets Microsoft endorsement for new socket

CHIP FIRM AMD confirmed it has developed a new socket for some of its transistor rich microprocessors.

Microprocessors are the brain of a computer. These particular "new brains" plug into a different socket than before, which AMD wittily dubs AM2.

Firms like HP, Alienware and Lenovo will sell machines using the socket. AMD used the verb "to transition" to say it has moved the whole stable of its Athlon 64 X2 chips to this startling new socket and has also released Athlon 64 X2 5000+ and 4000+ dual core brains.

A man from Microsoft called Mike Sievert claimed his firm "is excited" about socket AM2 because it will pave the way for a new operating system which he calls "Vista".

AMD is flogging the Athlon 64 FX 62 for $1,031 and the X2 5000+ for $696, but that is only if you are buying them in thousands. It will sell the Athlon 64 X2 4000+ for $328, but again, that price only holds true if you are buying a thousand of them at one time.

The chip firm will sell its Sempron chip for sockets 939 as well as AM2. µ