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    Introduction 
    
    
     
    
    
     When 
    it comes to purchasing a computer, the most important component to consider 
    is certainly the processor. The processor, which can be easily compared to 
    an engine, will condition the performance of the whole PC, its 
    upgradeability and the motherboard/chipset couple. Actually they are two 
    major CPU manufacturers, the well known CPU giant Intel and its eternal 
    competitor AMD. Just like with vehicle where a BMW motor won’t have the same 
    performance as a Mercedes one, Intel & AMD CPUs are quite different but 
    deliver the performance required by today modern applications. Both 
    companies are conducting a fierce struggle to provide consumers with more 
    performance and power for their day to day work. This chip war benefits 
    directly the consumer since AMD generally aggressively prices its CPUs in 
    order to gain precious market share thus talking Intel into doing the same 
    thing. These politics, the performance and overclockability of AMD 
    processors have helped the Sunnyvale company build a strong reputation over 
    the years.   
    
    The 
    latest AMD desktop processor is the Athlon XP which is a direct and serious 
    competitor for Intel’s flagship Pentium 
    
    4 
    CPU. We are today reviewing the AMD Athlon XP 
    
    2200+. 
  
    
      
    AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 0.13µ 
    
      
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