From time to time a processor manufacturer will tweak current silicon, pushing a more stable clock speed. This is what gives us different processors speeds in the same family such as the Intel i7 and AMD Phenom II series. These tweaks, or “speed bumps” as they are sometimes referred to, are what bring us the faster or slower models. This is quite common in computer memory where some chips are "binned" at higher speed levels. This is how the same series memory can have 1333MHz with CAS 9 or 1600MHz with CAS 7 when using the same memory chips. While processors are not binned, the silicon is from time to time tweaked and that brings up the next model in a series. AMD uses a process called Automated Precision Manufacturing (APM) to make constant process improvements to its silicon.Today we are going to be taking a look at several "updates" to the Phenom II and Athlon II line in which the process was able to tweak and improve the current silicon, creating a faster batch of chips. From the Phenom II line we have the X6 1075T, which AMD markets to bridge the gap between the higher end 1090T and the entry six core 1055T. There is also the X4 970, which is a bump up from the X4 965 and the X2 560, which is next in line after the X2 555. On the Athlon II side we have the newer X4 645 quad core, X3 450 triple core and the X2 265 dual core, all taking their respective leads.