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Described by AMD as 'the world's ultimate PC processor for enthusiasts and hard-core gamers', the FX-55 is a faster version of the FX-53 now running at 2.6GHz instead of the earlier 2.4GHz. The FX-55 is based on the Socket 939 architecture and is fitted with a total of 1,152 KB of cache (128KB L1 + 1024KB L2).

'With the AMD Athlon FX-55 processor, performance-hungry gamers and enthusiasts will be able to experience intense graphics, virtual worlds, high-resolution video and sophisticated artificial intelligence, providing a computing experience that looks and feels like an extension of reality,' gushes Marty Seyer, general manager of AMD's Microprocessor Business Unit.

Aimed more at the mainstream segment, the 4000+ completes the Athlon 64 processor range and supports Enhanced Virus Protection (EVP) enabled by Windows XP SP2. Although the 939-pin 4000+ clocks the same 2.4GHz as the 3800+, it doubles the amount of L2 cache, to 1MB.

The AMD Athlon 64 FX-55 processor is priced at $827 and the AMD Athlon 64 processor 4000+ at $729. Both processors are available immediately worldwide

The company has also introduced a new top-of-the-range Desktop Replacement chip, the Athlon XP-M 3100+, costing

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$126. AMD has also announced the Mainstream Athlon XP-M 2800+ ($125).

As usual, in the wake of yesterday's price cuts by Intel, AMD has also made a dramatic revision to its pricing, across a range of segments: 'Desktop Replacement' Athlon XP-M, 'Mainstream' Athlon XP-M, LV Mobile Athlon XP-M, LV Mobile Sempron, and - in the 64-bit computing space - 'Desktop Replacement' Athlon 64, 'Mainstream' Athlon 64 and Mobile AMD Athlon 64.

In the Desktop Replacement Athlon XP-M range, the previous top-of-the range was cut by 16 per cent, to $123, and the other models had cuts in the region of 10-20 per cent. The 2200+ and 2000+ have been dropped.

The Mainstream Athlon XP-M 3000+ has been cut by eight per cent to $138, and the LV Mobile Athlon XP-M range sees cuts in the region of 15 per cent. The 1900+, 1800+ and 1700+ models have been dropped.

Moving from the Low Voltage Athlon XP-M to the Low Voltage Sempron, the 2800+ has been cut 20 per cent to $107 and the 2600+ by 7.5 per cent, to $99.

In terms of 64-bit processors, making way for the new models, the 'Desktop Replacement' Athlon 64 sees cuts of up to 45 per cent, for the 3400+, and 29 per cent for the 3200+ and 3000+. The top of the range 3700+ is trimmed 7.4 per cent to $463.

The 'Mainstream' Athlon 64 range, sees the existing 3800+ remain unchanged, but there are price cuts of up to 17 per cent for the models below. Finally, for the Mobile AMD Athlon 64, there are again cuts of up to 44 per cent (for the 3400+, which is now priced at $243). The 3200+ and 3000+ are cut by 27 per cent, to $213 and $168, respectively. The 2800+ has been dropped.

All prices are based on 1,000 unit orders. Full pricing information can be found at www.amd.com/pricing