https://techreport.com/review/8482/a...-57-processor/
FX 57 - single core processor - $1031. More than the Pentium XE 840. More than AMD's own X2 4800+.
But that was back in 2005, when they did have the fastest CPUs, and could demand the highest prices.
The processors down the stack were not stupidly expensive, but they've *always* charged top dollar when they thought they had the best processor.
But AMD are in the US. They're US based. They're US traded. They have to adhere to US law. And that - sadly - puts shareholders before consumers. No-one says you have to like that, but it is what it is.