AMD Continues Multi-Core Momentum With Dual-Core AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor

The industry’s evolution to multi-core processing will be marked by AMD’s leadership and dedication to customer-centric innovation. Future dual-core AMD Athlon 64 processor-based systems will offer businesses and consumers compatibility, productivity and performance, as well as a seamless upgrade path from single-core platforms. End users will be able to enjoy enhanced performance with PCs based on the superior thermal design of dual-core AMD Athlon 64 processors. Dual-core AMD64 technology enables advanced multi-tasking capabilities and outstanding multimedia performance. For example, users will be able to burn CDs or DVDs, while simultaneously unzipping compressed files, and encoding high-resolution videos, all while running robust security applications in the background.

“AMD’s leadership with dual-core processor technology follows our success with 64-bit computing – both innovations illustrate our strategic focus to solve customer challenges and deliver technology breakthroughs to fuel the possibilities of tomorrow,” said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager of the Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group, AMD. “Client AMD64 dual-core technology will provide consumers and businesses a customer-centric approach with systems that deliver enhanced performance and a simple, non-disruptive upgrade path from single-core solutions.”

Because AMD uses existing manufacturing processes to produce dual-core AMD64 processors, the power envelope for AMD dual-core processors is designed to fit into the current sockets and power infrastructures. Additionally, AMD’s compatibility eliminates the need for costly platform redesigns, which enables a more cost-effective dual-core technology transition for customers. AMD’s industry-standard, dual-core processors are a natural extension of AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture. Our innovative Direct Connect Architecture connects multiple processors, the memory controller and the I/O directly to the central processing unit, helping to eliminate the bottlenecks inherent in a front-side bus.

AMD designed its client dual-core technology to maximize the performance benefits for users who demand flawless multi-tasking capabilities and visually stunning multimedia applications. In addition to its plans to introduce evolutionary multi-core AMD64 client processors later this year, AMD plans to continue to scale single-core AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Athlon 64 FX processors. The AMD Athlon 64 FX-55 processor remains the world’s ultimate PC processor for enthusiasts and hard-core gamers as many applications, such as games, will continue to experience maximum performance on single-core processor solutions.

“Dual-core technology is advancing the levels of performance and multi-tasking that can benefit businesses and consumers as soon as those processors become available,” said Kevin Krewell, editor-in-chief, Microprocessor Report, In-Stat. “Multi-core technology is the next frontier in microprocessor design, and AMD is clearly positioned as a leader to enable it to become pervasive.”

To date, AMD is the only company to publicly demonstrate an x86 dual-core server solution. AMD has been shipping production samples of dual-core AMD Opteron™ processors to partners since January and plans to introduce a dual-core processor line-up for the one-to eight-socket server and workstation markets in mid-2005 based on the existing 940-pin socket. AMD plans to bring client dual-core AMD64 processors, based on the existing 939-pin socket, to the market in the second half of 2005.

For more information on AMD’s multi-core vision and technology, visit http://www.amd.com/multicore .