Advanced Micro Devices has quietly introduced two new dual-core desktop microprocessors at higher price-points, yet designed for mainstream systems. The new chips should help the company to pose more competition to Intel’s award-winning Core 2 micro-architecture.

The new desktop dual-core microprocessors from AMD are the Athlon 64 X2 models 5400+ and 5600+ that operate at 2.80GHz, but come with 1MB (512KB per core) or 2MB (1MB per core) level two cache, respectively. The new chips are produced using 90nm process technology and are designed to fit into the AM2 infrastructure with 2GHz HyperTransport bus.

Along with the new Athlon 64 X2 central processing units, the 6000+ model was also expected to emerge back in November, however, not only the launch of the model 5400+ and 5600+ was delayed by several weeks, but the high-performance Athlon 64 X2 6000+  with 3.0GHz clock-speed and 2MB level-two cache (1MB per core) has not been introduced formally.

The modernized AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-cre central processing units have thermal design power (TDP) of 89W, much higher compared to TDP of competing Inter Core 2 Duo microprocessors that also contain two processing engines.

Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices did not release any statements concerning the launch of new dual-core desktop microprocessors. Leading computer makers also did not say whether they adopt the new chips. However, the latest Athlon 64 X2 products are still likely to find a home inside PCs by various manufacturers, as they are drop-in compatible with the AM2 infrastructure.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ and 5600+ microprocessors cost $485 and $505 in 1000-unit quantities, respectively.