AMD Announces Three Core Chips !

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is reportedly introducing triple-core Phenom processors to its much decorated chips portfolio. The three-core chips will essentially be quad-core Phenom processors -- with one core disabled, according to AMD.
In a way, the company is looking to make concrete use of four-cores that don't quite make the cut instead of relegating them to scrap. While a balanced approach towards multiple cores is common practice, AMD has it that even an odd number of chips can make light work out of a single workload. Part of AMD's roadmap update, the company indicated that it's 'Toliman' triple-core chip would be out in 2008; the 'Heka' triple-core chip in 2009; and a Gen-Next 'Regor' dual-core chip -- also in 2009. Meanwhile, the timing of AMD's announcement is precariously close to the ongoing Intel Developer Forum, yet consumers are likely to see the move more as addition of yet another mid-range chip to somewhat blur the dividing lines between a high end Phenom and a low end single-core Athlon.