AMD Phenom II X2 B59 debuts in HP Compaq Pro 6005 workstations

Two weeks ago we published a story about Phenom II X4 B99, new business-class processor from AMD, sighted in the wild. Shortly after that the microprocessor emerged in HP Compaq Pro 6005 desktop PC, along with yet unheard-of Phenom II X2 B59, which is also a business-class CPU. Both Phenoms are not listed in specifications of HP Compaq 6005 Pro, but can be selected on the order pages for Small Form Factor and Microtower versions of the PC.

The order page on HP website doesn't provide any details on the processor, but, thanks to sale listing on the Taobao website, we know basic chip specifications. The AMD B59 runs at 3.4 GHz, has 1 MB level 2 and 6 MB L3 cache, and comes with standard features, such as AMD64, SSE3 and AMD-V virtualization. All in all, the B59 microprocessor seems to be a close relative of Phenom II X2 565 Black Edition, that was launched in December of last year. The Phenom II B59 differs from the 565 BE by locked clock multiplier, and, if the CPU-Z screenshot on the Taobao page is correct, may have 10% faster HyperTransport link. Judging by CPU-Z screenshots from the auction page, two extra cores on the B59 can be unlocked. The AMD B59 with unlocked cores is identified by BIOS as "AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 559 Processor". As usual with the business-class models, this part will likely to be shipped only as OEM version, and we may never see the X2 B59 microprocessor in retail.