AMD Adds Multi-Core Triple Threat to Desktop Roadmap
Offering Unique Performance and Value to Customers, AMD Phenom(TM) Triple-Core Processors to Complete a Broader Multi-Core Portfolio
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Delivering a multi-core triple threat, AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced the addition of AMD Phenom(TM) triple-core processors to its desktop roadmap. AMD Phenom triple-core processors, expected to be the world's first PC processors to integrate three computational cores on a single die of silicon, can help deliver the visual experience, performance and multitasking capabilities of true multi-core technology to a broader audience. Offering state-of-the-art platforms and a next-generation architecture with expected availability in Q1 2008, the industry's only x-86 triple-core desktop processor shows why AMD's the smarter choice, with its expanded portfolio for customers to offer platforms with unique multi-core options. AMD Phenom quad-core processors remain on schedule to ship in 2007.
"With our advanced multi-core architecture, AMD is in a unique position to enable a wider range of premium desktop solutions, providing a smarter choice for customers and end users," said Greg White, vice president and general manager, Desktop Division, AMD. "This innovation is a direct result of our development of the industry's first true, native quad-core design, coupled with AMD's manufacturing flexibility, to create multi-core processors in two, three, and four computational core configurations on a single die of silicon. As a customer-centric company, AMD is committed to working with our OEMs to deliver compelling value propositions across their multi-core product families with capabilities that address their requirements and aspirations."
AMD Phenom processors with three cores are a response to demand for increased performance delivered by multi-core processors when running state-of-the-art applications. According to Mercury Research, quad-core processors represented less than two percent of desktop shipments in Q2 2007. AMD believes this suggests a need for a wider selection of multi-core solutions. Triple-core AMD processors may stimulate broader multi-core adoption with a product family that scales to more points-of-entry for the customer.
"Microsoft is excited to see AMD creating new technologies like the AMD Phenom triple-core processors," said Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president of the Windows Hardware Ecosystem at Microsoft Corp. "We see potential for power and performance improvements through triple-core processing in the industry and are exploring with AMD the possibility of taking advantage of this in the Microsoft family of products."
The true multi-core design of the upcoming AMD Phenom processor family of products, based on Direct Connect Architecture, features an integrated memory controller, accelerating performance for productivity, content creation, entertainment, and gaming. In addition, this next-generation architecture includes AMD's Balanced Smart Cache for rapid access to memory, with a shared L3 cache for leading-edge performance on multi-threaded software. With HyperTransport(TM) 3.0 and up to 16 GB/second of high bandwidth I/O, upcoming AMD Phenom processors are designed for the ultimate visual experience with amazing HD video and gaming resolutions, as well as high-speed disk and network interfaces. In addition, Cool'n'Quiet(TM) 2.0 technology enables independent frequency adjustments to each processor core, and the HyperTransport bus and memory controller for a cooler and quieter PC.
AMD Phenom triple-core processors are expected to deliver increased performance for multitasking usage models and multi-threaded applications, aligned with similar benefits available with the upcoming AMD Phenom quad-core processors. In addition, triple-core processors from AMD can provide significant performance advantages over similar dual-core AMD processors in key industry standard benchmarks, including SYSmark(R) 2007 and 3DMark(TM) 2006, as well as similar quad-core AMD processors in certain gaming and digital content creation scenarios.
"A continued commitment to elegant design and innovative processor architecture is instrumental to revolutionizing the technology industry," said Richard Shim, research manager for IDC's Personal Computing program. "The advent of triple-core processors is a valuable market opportunity for customers to deliver compelling solutions to end users and further differentiate themselves within the desktop PC market."
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About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide. For more information, visit www.amd.com.
Cautionary Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, future and planned products, technologies, specifications, features, performance and introduction schedules, and availability and number of AMD Phenom triple- and quad-core processors, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as "would," "may," "expects," "believes," "plans," "intends," "projects" and other terms with similar meanings. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements in this release are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of this release, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's current expectations. Risks include the possibility that Intel Corporation's pricing, marketing and rebating programs, product bundling, standard setting, new product introductions or other activities targeting AMD's business will prevent attainment of AMD's current plans; customers stop buying AMD's products or materially reduce their operations or demand for its products and AMD will be unable to develop, launch and ramp new products and technologies in the volumes and mix required by the market and at mature yields on a timely basis. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in AMD's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.
(C) 2007 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Phenom, and combinations thereof and Cool'n'Quiet are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. HyperTransport is a licensed trademark of the HyperTransport Technology Consortium. Microsoft and Vista are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. SYSmark is a registered trademark of Business Applications Performance Corporation. 3Dmark is a trademark of Futuremark Corporation. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Source: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Released September 17, 2007