AMD is preparing to launch a new high-end desktop processor, the Athlon 64 X2 6400+, which will be the last processor in the Athlon 64 X2 family. Currently, AMD's highest-end desktop processor is the Athlon 64 X2 6000+, however with its performance unable to match Intel's upcoming Core 2 Duo E6850, AMD plans to launch the new 6400+ to cover up the gap in the market. The 6400+ will have a core frequency of 3.2GHz and 2MB L2 cache, noted the sources. Pricing will range between US$220-248, they added. AMD has already sent processor samples to motherboard makers in order to allow them to update their BIOSes. The processor is predicted to ship shortly. In testing, performance of the 6400+ is 10-15% below the E6850, and the CPU has limited overclock capability, said the sources, who also pointed out that the price gap compared to the E6850 is not huge.