Advanced Micro Devices has released its newest Athlon XP processor, and a handful of vendors have already snapped up the new CPU that enables AMD to win its game of "cache up" with Intel. The Athlon XP 3000+, previously code-named Barton, doubles the Level 2 cache of previous models. PC World's first tests show the results: Barton-based Athlon XP 3000+ systems flew through productivity work, topping the fastest Pentium 4 systems tested. The AMD-based PCs also continue to triumph in the pricing contest, selling for hundreds of dollars less than comparably configured P4 systems.…
