Press Release: AMD Unveils New AMD
ATHLON(tm) XP Processor; Drives Initiative To Develop New Processor Performance
Metric
Posted By
Kathy Smith
Date: October 09, 2001
Partners rally around world's highest performance
processor for desktop PCs
SAN FRANCISCO, CA-OCTOBER 9, 2001-AMD (NYSE: AMD)
today announced the new AMD Athlon(tm) XP processor, the world's
highest-performance processor for desktop PCs. AMD also announced plans to drive
an initiative to develop a reliable processor performance metric that PC users
can trust. The True Performance Initiative reflects AMD's continued commitment
to business and home PC users.
"For most of the PC's first 20 years, megahertz was a reliable indicator of PC
processor performance because the major players used the same architecture for
product design, and clock speed was a good proxy for performance. This is no
longer true," said W.J. Sanders III, AMD chairman and chief executive officer.
"The award-winning performance of our seventh-generation AMD Athlon processor
architecture demonstrates that clock speed is only half of the performance
equation. With our new AMD Athlon XP processor, AMD again accelerates
innovation, reduces system cost while delivering the fastest application
performance, and places the consumer at the forefront of digital technology."
True Performance Initiative
Through the True Performance Initiative, or TPI, AMD is setting out to assist
customers in understanding the benefits of PC performance. TPI also will help
define a new, more accurate measure of processor performance for standard
applications. The initiative will be chaired by Patrick Moorhead, who has been
appointed as AMD's Vice President of Customer Advocacy, reporting to the Office
of the CEO.
Historically, x86 microprocessors have improved both instructions (work) per
clock and frequency compared to older generations. However, this is not true
with some processors today. Therefore, megahertz cannot be solely relied upon as
a measure of system performance.
"Consumers are beginning to understand that the true indicator of performance is
how fast their applications run, not the megahertz of their processor. Megahertz
measures only how many cycles per second the engine spins, not how much torque
it delivers," said Roger Kay, director of client computing at IDC.
AMD Athlon(tm) XP Processor
AMD introduced its brand-new processor for high-performance desktop computers,
the AMD Athlon XP processor, formerly codenamed "Palomino." The AMD Athlon XP
processor features the new, patented QuantiSpeed(tm) architecture, which
delivers up to a 25-percent performance advantage versus competitive processors
on a broad array of real-world applications, in such categories as digital
media, office productivity, and 3D gaming. The new AMD Athlon XP processor
offers a significant performance advantage compared to the standard AMD Athlon
processor.
The new processor also includes 3DNow!(tm) Professional technology, which adds
52 new instructions, accelerating 3D performance for digital media applications
such as photo, video and audio editing. The AMD Athlon "XP" modifier is designed
to convey the extreme performance AMD Athlon XP processors deliver for the
upcoming Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
AMD will identify the AMD Athlon XP processor using model numbers, as opposed to
clock speed in megahertz, and is introducing 1800+, 1700+, 1600+ and 1500+
versions. Model numbers are intended to designate the relative application
performance among the various AMD Athlon XP processors, as well as communicate
the architectural superiority over existing AMD Athlon processors.
The AMD Athlon XP processor features 384KB of on-chip, full-speed cache. It is
compatible with AMD's Socket A infrastructure, and supports an advanced 266MHz
front-side bus.
AMD Athlon XP processors are manufactured using AMD's 0.18-micron copper process
technology in Fab 30 in Dresden, Germany.
Andersen Audits AMD Athlon(tm) XP Processor Performance
AMD's design excellence and architectural superiority of its PC processors are
proven in various third-party benchmark tests that represent a broad array of
real-world applications. The benchmarks used to demonstrate the relative
performance of the AMD Athlon XP processor are representative of the various
ways end users use their PCs, including digital media, office productivity and
3D gaming.
"Andersen's independent examination of the AMD Athlon XP processor performance
benchmarks has included observations and tests of the system configuration,
procedures and the recording of results," said Edward Hill, partner in
Andersen's Risk Consulting group. "Andersen's examination will enhance consumer
confidence in benchmark results."
Andersen's audit results are available on the AMD Web site at:
http://amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_756_3734^3746,00.html
Partners Rally Around AMD Athlon(tm) XP Processor
Microsoft Corp. and major computer manufacturers are expressing support for the
new AMD Athlon XP processor.
"The upcoming Windows XP operating system has been tailored to take advantage of
the unique capabilities of the AMD Athlon XP processor, resulting in a great
end-user experience. Together with Windows XP and the AMD Athlon XP, we provide
users with an efficient and dependable computing experience with new tools for
the digital age," said John Frederiksen, General Manager, PC Experience,
Microsoft. "AMD's efforts to clarify the performance metric will give consumers
additional valuable information when making new PC purchase decisions."
"Compaq and AMD have enjoyed a long and mutually successful partnership, working
on behalf of PC users, and we are pleased to extend that partnership today. The
AMD Athlon XP processor with QuantiSpeed architecture offers the ultimate in
performance and complements Compaq's superior products that serve our customers
at either the home or office," said Mike Larson, senior vice president and
general manager, Access Business Group, Compaq Computer Corporation.
"Fujitsu provides the FMV Series of products, which deliver an easy-to-use,
high-performance, trouble-free PC environment for various usage scenarios,
including Internet, audio-visual, and multimedia applications," said Masami
Yamamoto, General Manager, Desktop Products Division, Fujitsu Limited. "We
anticipate that the AMD Athlon XP processor, a high-performance processor
introduced by AMD, in combination with the future release of Windows XP, will
enable users to experience rich content far more enjoyably in usage scenarios
such as broadband and audio-visual applications. Fujitsu also intends to supply
PCs incorporating AMD Athlon XP processors."
"Fujitsu-Siemens is pleased to offer systems with AMD's new AMD Athlon XP
processor 1800+ with QuantiSpeed architecture in our consumer PC range," said
Klaus Nicolai, Vice President Business Unit Consumer at Fujitsu Siemens
Computers. "Systems with the new AMD Athlon XP processors offer excellent
productivity and rapid results when you're working with digital media like
audio, video and image files. Performance is what ultimately will save you time
and effort, and systems with the new AMD Athlon XP processor have the
performance necessary for a great computing experience."
"Best Buy is committed to helping our customers find the best solutions for
their specific needs," said David Morrish, senior vice president, Business Group
Leader of Computers, Peripherals and Digital Imaging at Best Buy. "PCs powered
by the new AMD Athlon XP processor are a great addition to our product mix and
provide more options for consumers looking for the right technology that can
make their time more productive and more fun."
Availability
Systems featuring the AMD Athlon XP processor, including models 1800+, 1700+,
1600+ and 1500+, are expected to be available immediately from Compaq,
Fujitsu-Siemens and NEC-CI. Other top tier manufacturers, including Fujitsu,
Hewlett-Packard Company and MicronPC, also are planning to offer AMD Athlon XP
processor-based systems.
Pricing
The AMD Athlon XP processor 1800+, 1700+, 1600+ and 1500+ are priced at $252,
$190, $160 and $130 in 1,000-unit quantities, respectively. For more information
on pricing, please visit:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Corporate/VirtualPressRoom/0,,51_104_609,00.html
About AMD
AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked
computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United
States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD, a Fortune 500 and Standard & Poor's 500
company, produces microprocessors, Flash memory devices, and support circuitry
for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in
Sunnyvale, California, AMD had revenues of $4.6 billion in 2000. (NYSE: AMD).
AMD on the Web
For more information about today's announcement, please visit our virtual
pressroom at <http://www.amd.com/news/spotlight>.
Additional press releases are available at <www.amd.com/news/news.html>.
Broadcast Information
Satellite coordinates are as follows:
Project Title: "True Performance Initiative"
Medialink Services: USA Telefeed
Second Feed Date: Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Second Feed Time: 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. ET
Second Coordinates: C-Band: Telstar 5/ Transponder 16/ Audio 6.2 & 6.8
Third Feed Date: Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Third Feed Time: 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Third Coordinates: C-Band: Telstar 6/ Transponder 8/ Audio 6.2 & 6.8
Project Title: "True Performance Initiative"
Medialink Services: SMT Generic Feed
Distribution Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2001
Time: 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Satellite Coordinates: C-Band: Telstar 6/ Transponder 8/ Audio 6.2 & 6.8
-30-
AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, and combinations thereof, QuantiSpeed, and
3DNow! are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other product names are
for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective
companies.
===================================
Contact
Ward Tisdale
AMD Public Relations
(512) 602-8536
ward.tisdale@amd.com
Catherine Abbinanti
AMD Public Relations
(512) 602-2292
cathy.abbinanti@amd.com
===================================
===================================