AMD speeds up single-core gaming chip: "

While dual-core processors have received the most attention this year, sometimes a single-core processor is the right tool for the job, according to AMD.The Sunnyvale, Calif., company is expected to release its fastest single-core processor on Monday with the launch of the Athlon 64 FX-57, a high-end chip targeted at gamers. The chip runs at 2.8GHz, a 200MHz increase in clock speed over the FX-55, which AMD will continue to sell for now, said Jonathan Seckler, product marketing manager for the Athlon 64 product line.

Both AMD and Intel sell high-end desktop processors that are very expensive and very powerful. AMD uses the Athlon 64 FX label for these chips, while Intel brands them the Pentium Extreme Edition. Neither company sells very many of these chips compared to sales of their mainstream desktop processors, but some users, such as gamers, are willing to pay whatever it takes to get the highest level of performance.