Here they are, boxes that carry AMD's first desktop six-core processors, the Phenom II X6. This line of "true six core design" processors from AMD target performance/price sweet-spots in the sub-$300 segment, targeting higher-end Intel Core i5, and even Core i7 series processors from Intel. The Phenom II X6 is based on the 45 nm "Thuban" core, and comes in the socket AM3 package. The processor is said to be backwards-compatible with socket AM2+ on motherboards with a BIOS update. Expreview sourced pictures of three Phenom II X6 processor-in-box (PIB) units, of model 1055T.Apart from a numerical boost in processor cores over the Phenom II X4, the Phenom II X6 brings in a landmark new feature for AMD, the Turbo Core technology. This new feature senses load on each of the processor cores, and adjusts each individual core's power-states and frequencies accordingly. Unlike with the comparable Intel Turbo Boost technology, AMD's Turbo Core tech gives the processor higher number of "Turbo" cores when the multi-threaded load is low. Turbo Boost does not require any special software to work, not even new drivers for any given OS. All its logic is embedded on-die.

Sensing low multi-threaded power load, Turbo Core powers down three of the six cores, while sending the three remaining cores into a "Boost state". In this state, the cores' clock-speed is boosted by up to 500 MHz (multiplier +2.5x). Throughout the Boost state, the processor stays within the processor's defined TDP. The processor leaves Boost state when it senses more multi-threaded power is needed. Following are slides from AMD's press-briefing where it specifically talked about Turbo Core:Apart from Phenom II X6, Turbo Core technology will also be featured on Phenom II X4 900T "Zosma" series quad-core processors. These chips will offer two Boost-state cores.