AMD has introduced Thuban, the codename for their first-ever six-core desktop processor. Intel released their own some time ago, but not too many people are willing to drop $1000 on a CPU. Instead, $200 or $300 will get you a fresh Phenom II X6 from AMD.

But what about Intel? In the same price range, they are giving you eight logical cores, thanks to HyperThreading. Do AMD’s six hardware cores have what it takes to compete with Core i7?