To understand the significance of a triple-core processor, it's a good idea to take a quick step back and look at the state of multi-core desktop processing. When the first dual-core desktop processors launched in late 2005, they increased system performance across the board . With two cores to process data in parallel, it was possible to run Windows and its background services on one core, while the second core ran an intensive application (say, Crysis). Running two cores in parallel improved overall processor efficiency, eliminating the wasted processor cycles induced by swapping between applications.

Shortly after dual-core processors made their debut, quad-core designs were introduced by both Intel and AMD. While in certain applications like video encoding or 3D rendering having four cores could theoretically quadruple performance, most of the time the system simply wasn't doing enough to utilize all four cores efficiently. Surely there had to be a number between two and four that would solve this problem!

AMD believes that number is... three. The new AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition is a triple-core processor, and it strikes a balance between dual and quad-core processors in more ways than one. At 2.8GHz it's the fastest of AMD's new line-up of Phenom II processors, reaching the same clocks as some of their dual-core offerings. However it has the same large 6MB of L3 cache as the high-end quad-core Phenom II X4 810 processor, which means it gets 2MB of cache per core.

AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Processor Tech Specs Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Clock: 2.8 GHz Cores: 3 L1:128KB L2:512KB L3:6MB Multipiler: 14x Package: 938-pin Socket: AM3 (AM2+) organic mPGA Core: 45nm SOI Power: 95W Vcore:1.25-1.35V Cost: $130 USD

However three cores and big caches isn't the only trick that the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition has in store. The Phenom II is a socket AM3 product, and if you've been following along that means that not only will it fit into AMD's new socket AM3 motherboards, it will also be backwards compatible with socket AM2+ and certain socket AM2 motherboards. This cross-compatiblity comes thanks to a dual memory controller that supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory. This make the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition a very versatile processor, and PCSTATS will be testing out it new memory modes and performance in both socket AM2+ and socket AM3 motherboards.

To top everything off, the Phenom II X3 720 is a Black Edition processor. The overclockers in the crowd already know that this means it has an unlocked multiplier, so the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition's speed can be increased without adjusting the FSB. Unlocked processors are often capable of extreme overclocks, so you can bet that PCSTATS will be cranking up the megahertz of the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition a little later on in this review.

The AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition is based largely on the design of the Phenom II X4 920, and the two processors share a 758 million transistor count and a 258mm2 die size. Both processor are also produced on a 45nm node, which makes them more power efficient and reduces excess heat. Since the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition has one fewer core than the Phenom II X4 920, its TDP has dropped to a reasonable 95W.

Although its suggested price is only $145 CDN ($130 USD £90 GBP), AMD suggests that the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition's most direct competition comes from the $200 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, a favorite amongst high-performance/low-cost system builders. PCSTATS has both processors loaded onto the test bench, so we'll see if the AMD AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition's triple-cores, dual-memory controllers and unlocked multiplier will make it a match for Intel's Wolfdale processors. It's a head-to-head battle that only one processor can win!

First though, it's time to take a look at AMD's new plans for the desktop...