Last week saw two releases in the games market with one thing in common: economy. AMD’s processor set and Antec’s new gaming case, the Three Hundred, are both aimed at gamers on a budget.

AMD unveiled several AMD Phenom X3 microprocessors with three processing engines for the channel and consumers on 23 April.

The Phenom X3 8000 triple-core microprocessors are based on AMD’s latest micro-architecture and have 1.5MB level-two cache (512kb per core), 2MB of unified level-three cache and a built-in dual-channel memory controller. In March, AMD shipped its first AMD Phenom X3 models, 8400 (2.10GHz) and 8600 (2.30GHz) to system integrators.

On 23 April it took the wraps off models 8450 (2.10GHz), 8650 (2.30GHz) and 8750 (2.40GHz) that will be sold in the channel market and will be available for end users.

However, it might not be the time for price cutting, warned Matthew Wilkins, a principal analyst at iSuppli. “With strong PC demand in the fourth quarter, microprocessor average selling prices for AMD and Intel should hold firm.”

The saving on the Phenom X3 chips comes from disabling one potentially faulty processing engine of an AMD Phenom X4, giving AMD a way to sell imperfect quad-cores. AMD targets its AMD Phenom X3 microprocessors at gamers and enthusiasts on a budget wanting more than a dual-core chip.

“If you cannot afford a quad-core processor and need a little higher clock speed to run single- or dual-threaded applications quicker, this is the answer,” said Leslie Sobon, director of desktop product management at AMD.

Meanwhile, a complementary games machine component came out last week. Antec, which makes cases specially designed for PC gamers, has produced a cut-price version of its Nine Hundred case ­ the Three Hundred.

Yes, it is cheaper, admitted Dan Reeves, Antec’s country manager. “But this is an excellent addition. It still has a spacious layout and stylish looks,” he added.