Today AMD makes another push forward with the introduction of its new AM3 based Phenom IIs, with the most significant advancement being DDR3 memory support via its dual mode memory controller (allowing for backward compatibility on an AM2+ socket board with DDR2 support).

The new AM3 family of processors shapes up as follows :-

Quad Core AM3

Phenom II 805: 2.5GHz Core Clock, 4MB L3 Cache, 0.875v - 1.425v Voltage
Phenom II 810: 2.6GHz Core Clock. 4MB L3 Cache, 0.875v - 1.425v Voltage
Phenom II 910: 2.6GHz Core Clock, 6MB L3 Cache, 0.875v - 1.425v Voltage

Triple Core AM3

Phenom II 710: 2.6GHz Core Clock, 6MB L2 Cache, 0.875v - 1.425v Voltage
Phenom II 720BE: 2.8GHz Core Clock, 6MB L2 Cache, 0.875v - 1.425v Voltage, Unlocked CPU multiplier for better overclocking

We now have our AM3 based Phenom II introductory article online, entitled "AMD Socket AM3 Arrives - The Real Phenom II Detailed" which talks about the architectural advancements of the AM3 platform in detail, but sadly we aren't able to show any benchmark numbers just yet due to a hardware failure with our memory going kaput over the weekend. However, we'll have everything in full swing within the next 24 hrs and look forward to bringing you our full AMD Socket AM3 Performance Analysis very soon. so keep your eyes peeled for that one.

In the meantime, to coincide with the launch is also this bunch of coverage floating around the web:

- Lost Circuits
- Hot Hardware
- HWT.dk
- Overclockers Club
- Hexus
- PC Perspective
- Benchmark Reviews
- Hartware (X3 720)
- Hartware (DDR2 vs. DDR3
- Planet3DNow
- Legit Reviews
- Neoseeker
- AMDZone
- XBit Labs
- PCGamesHardware

We'll update the above listing over the next 12 hrs or so as more coverage shows up.

To start things off on our AM3 processor, AMD has revolutionised the latest addition to the Phenom II family. All of the 800 series and 700 series CPU's have a dual mode memory controller. That is, it has a DDR2 and DDR3 memory controller onboard. This is the first CPU to incorporate two memory controllers on one CPU die.

AMD has used the same memory controller that exists in the current AM2 Phenom II processors with a maximum rated speed of 1066MHz. This allows the CPU to be inserted into AM2+ motherboards to run off up to four DDR2 memory slots, which is another plus for AMD as they have not limited the CPU to only two DDR2 memory slots on AM2+ boards.