Strengths: Affordable dual core alternative to Intel processors.

Weaknesses: Relatively high power usage.

Summary: I wanted to try a HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer) build, found a motherboard (ASUS M2A-VM HMDI) that I wanted to use, and that called for an AMD Socket AM2 processor.The AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ provided a nice trade off in speed (2.4 GHz) and price (under $100), especially considering it is a dual core processor.The installation was easy, but the included heatsink required a bit of effort to clamp down.This processor does run warm, but not that much more than other dual core processors.Performance is what counts when it comes to processors, and the AMD 4600+ handles the loads generated by a HTPC environment with no problem at all.

Strengths: This cpu runs very fast and allows overclocking. The price is much cheaper than before also!

Weaknesses: this is the higher wattage version so uses more energy

Summary: If you want an AMD dual-core processor, I would suggest the X2 4600+, though I would encourage you to buy the 65W version (this one is the 90W version). The 65W one has less power consumption and less heat created (and possibly more OC'ing if you are interested in that). With that said, this CPU worked great for me. Net cost for me around a hundred bucks, and very stable (I did not OC this one). AMD has the best performance for the price for mid-level CPU's. If you want high-level, Intel's Core 2 Duo's may be the way to go. But for the price, this thing is superb!

Strengths: Speed. Low Heat. Dual-Core.

Weaknesses: Wattage.

Summary: If you are looking for an AMD dual-core processor, I would suggest the X2 4600+, though I would encourage you to buy the 65W version (this one is the 90W version). Less power consumption and less heat created (and possibly more OC'ing if you are interested in that). With that said, this CPU worked great for me. Cost under one hundred bucks at this point (Late June, 2007), and very stable (I did not OC this one). AMD has the best performance for the price for mid-level CPU's at this point. If you want high-level, I guess Intel's Core 2 Duo's are the way to go. But for the price, this thing is superb!

Strengths: Dual core, Price

Weaknesses: Heats up quickly.

Summary: I have installed this processor on a new system that I built last week. The Processor heats up pretty quickly. I havent installed any additional fans yet. The temperature of the system starts at around 32 degrees and within an hour of using it, it would climb to over 40 degrees (even with AMD cool 'n quiet turned on).I cannot compare the speed of the processor as I was upgrading from a 350 mhz pentium II system.

Strengths: fast, cheap

Weaknesses:

Summary: This is a really great processor. The price is low and works well. It's already runs fast enough so I do not want to overclock it. Everything works so good so far.

Strengths: It runs very fast and allows overclocking. The price is much cheaper than before.

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This is the best CPU I had ever used. It can run many programs at the same time. I use Asus mobo and Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 pro. The cpu is cool and quiet. The system is stable. I highly recommend this CPU for the current price.

Strengths: Extremely Durable, Very, Very Fast, Easily Overcloked.

Weaknesses: None so far.

Summary: I purchased this combo in order for me to comply with all my everyday tasking, video editing, music editing, website design and just regular computers needs. After doing a clean install on a new SATA hard drive of windows vista ultimate, installing the video cards, all the drivers, and etc, I was astouned with the speed! Vista took only 20 minutes to install on the pc, and it takes roughly 10-15 seconds from boot to fully login and load everything. I haven't had any crashes or anything like that (hopefully never)... just make sure to keep your case cool and especially your cpu... in my case, I use a water cooling system (not very expensive either). That's pretty much it for now, if I get any updates, I'll let you know.

Strengths: Low Price,easy installation and fast dual core.

Weaknesses: 89W Power

Summary: I upgraded from an Athlon 2500+ and you can tell the difference much quicker start up and shutdown of Windows. Was able to pick this up at a super price of $66 from thenerds.net.

Strengths: Price and Performance. Nice heatsink included in retail box.

Weaknesses: None

Summary: There are obviously faster processors out there, but at the time I bought it, this was the best processor for under $100. They also make a Athlon 64 X2 4600+ that uses less energy (65W vs 89W). But when I bought this, that processor cost $15 more.

Strengths: Speed, price

Weaknesses: None that I have found yet

Summary: A new build with no hassles. Just plug and play. The OEM heatsink that comes with the processor does a good enough job. I tested for temps and it was well within range.

Strengths: Dual Core;Great performance on a budget;Virtualization Technology support

Weaknesses: Average overclocker;Runs warm;Not the "best thing out there"

Summary: It took me a while to decide whether to go with Core 2 or AMD X2 for my new build, and in the end, the "budget conscious" in me won over the "power hungry". True, Intel has the best CPUs on the market right now, but if you are looking for most performance for your dollar with Virtualization support, look no further than X2 4600+. It's support for DDR2 which is considerably cheaper than DDR these days makes it a great choice for a budget conscious user craving some dual core performance. And with a plethora of high end SLI motherboard available for around $100 after all rebates (I personally chose eVGA 122-M2-NF59-TR nVidia 590i SLI based motherboard), even the enthusiast will be happy (as will be his or her wallet). I paired it up with 4GB of Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 memory, plenty of storage, and Windows Vista Business x64 Edition - and it's a great performance for right under $300 after all rebates (including memory, CPU and motherboard). It does run a tad warmer than the newer 65W counterparts, but for the price I can't complain, and it still stays under 45C under full load. I am not planning on getting much in terms of overclocking - it's a workstation machine, which needs stability more than speed, so I will just leave it at that. This product gets a solid 5 stars for me based on the overall price, performance, and all the other parameters. Thanks again AMD, for not leaving enthusiasts on a budget.

Strengths: fast, AMD reputation, cool, fairly quite

Weaknesses: none so far

Summary: I recently put together a PC with this CPU and 2 GB of RAM. It's relatively fast and perfect for multi-tasking. The CPU fan is pretty quite and does a good job keeping the CPU cool. Install was easy too. Everything fits perfectly. I highly recommend this CPU to gamers and multi-tasking people.

Strengths: Performs very well under Windows Vista Home Premium. 1 MB Cache. Noticeable upgrade from single core 3800+.

Weaknesses: Platform longevity. Intel's recent price cuts make it difficult to look to AM2 platform for starting a new build.

Summary: This is a very good processor. The performance difference between this and the higher end x2's is negligable to most users and most situations. I can say I've noticed a marked improvement in available system resources since upgrading to a dual core CPU using Windows Vista.

Strengths: Price, Duo Core Architecture, lightning fast, great stock HS/fan

Weaknesses: 89W power, 90nm technology

Summary: Normally in life you get what you pay for - not the case with this AMD X2 4600+ I upgraded from an AMD Barton 2800+ and was literally blown away by the speed increase. Coupled with a new SATA drive and 2GB of Corsair Memory, I now see Windows XP load in roughly 10-12 seconds from power on. Price for performance dictates that this is the sweet spot. If you are like me and you want a solid CPU without spending boatloads of cash for a marginal increase, please consider this processor.

Strengths: 64 Bit Vista compatible; AM2 socket; fast and reliable multitasking

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This processor runs great in my Mini-ATX case. System is running dual TV tuner cards; able to record on one tuner, display the other TV on the LCD and still run other light load background applications with no problems. The processor has handled all my expectations with room to go for more.