When AMD first announced plans to introduce triple-core processors back in September of last year, reaction to the news was mixed.  Some felt that AMD was simply planning to pass off partially functional Phenom X4 processors as triple-core products, making lemonade from lemons if you will.  Others thought it was a good way for AMD to increase bottom line profits, getting more usable die from a single silicon wafer and mitigating yield loss.  We were somewhat perplexed by the first reaction.