IT News Archives | Site Search | Advertise on IT Direction | Contact | Home

Low-power AMD processors will soon be available

Jan. 15, 2008

Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

Today, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) has announced a slight delay in the availability of its new Phenom processors but the chip manufacturer did say it will ship the 9100-E chip before March 31, 2008.

Two months ago, AMD announced that its upcoming Phenom 9700 and 9900 processors would ship in the first quarter of 2008. John Taylor, a spokesman for AMD, said last week that they're being pushed back to a March delivery.

Taylor also added that AMD is picking up the pace in delivering its 9100-E processor.

The 9100-E chip uses about 31.5 percent less power than regular Phenom chips, and has been scheduled to ship in either Q2 or Q3, but is now on the docket to be released this quarter, Taylor said.

Recently, AMD discovered an errata in the Transition Lookaside Buffer (TLB) that delayed shipments of some of the highly anticipated Barcelona chips. The bug also affects Phenom processors, which are based on the same architecture.

With the delayed Barcelona chips weighing down AMD, which had its fair share of financial struggles in 2007, there was quick online chatter about what this new delay will mean for the company.

However, Taylor was adamant in saying that the delay is part of a rearranging of priorities rather than a major problem with the chips.

Taylor added that AMD's plan to ship a triple-core processor in the first quarter is still on track. "Resellers want triple-core as fast as they can because it gives them differentiation and it hits a sweet spot in the market," he said.

So AMD should be releasing the energy-efficient 9100-E processor during this quarter, along with the triple-core and long-expected Barcelona chips later in 2008.

Taylor also said "it's much more a matter of prioritization and resources than any problems with the processors themselves. Our focus is simply on the energy-efficient products and triple-core products."

Taylor was quick to point out "we're seeing negative online buzz about delayed products, but our focus is on making sure we get products right when we introduce them and making sure the end users get a good experience. We are having to make tough choices about prioritizing. Just watch us over the next few months when we get triple-core on the market and this energy-efficient processor in the market."

On Jan. 9, AMD announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show that its new laptop processor, code-named Puma, will ship in the second quarter of this year. Trying to generate some positive buzz after months of taking it on the chin while rival Intel Corp. hit its stride, AMD said its new notebook system will optimize battery life while bearing up to hefty graphics demands.

Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

Source: American Micro Devices