AMD is trying to breath new life into its dual-core Opteron by upping the chip to 3.2GHz just weeks before Barcelona rolls on store shelves.

AMD announced today the pricing and availability to its Opteron 2000 and 8000 series x86 chips, both in a mainstream and high performance flavor.

The top-end models 8224 SE and 2224 SE now clock in at a speedier 3.2GHz. Model 2224 SE — aimed at dual-socket rigs — costs $873 in volume. The model 8224 SE chip — which fits in four-socket boxes — will go for a meatier $2,149 greenbacks.

Meanwhile, the mainstream 3.0GHz version of the chip are getting a performance-per-watt makeover. Both models 8222 and 2222 are now running at 95-watts. The 8222 will cost you $1,514, while the 2222 is priced at $698. Model 1222 is running at 103 watts and costs $360.

AMD is still sticking to Barcelona's August release date for customers and a September landing for server makers. When the tardy chip finally arrives, it will come in 2.0GHz SE standard and 1.9GHz HE low-power versions. ®

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