AMD processors aim to challenge Intel's lead

Firm moves to neutralise the competitive advantage created by Intel over its use of DDR3 memory in its chips

By Nick Booth

05 Feb 2009

Comments:1

  • Digg
  • Tweet
AMD headquarters

AMD recently launched a new range of Phenom II processors aimed at snatching back market share from arch-rival Intel.

While AMD admitted Intel’s Core i7 technology has capitalised on the increased data rate of DDR3, it claimed to have taken developments one stage further.

Unlike Core i7, explained AMD’s head of sales Craig Connell, Phenom processors will not need to populate all three memory slots at the same time. AMD’s architecture can do the job with two, he said.

Further reading

He claimed that from 9 February the channel can enjoy the benefits of the resulting performance improvement. Quad-core Phenom II processors, such as the 805 (running at 2.5Ghz with 4MB cache), the 810 (2.66Ghz, 4MB cache) and the 910 (2.6Ghz with 6MB cache), have created massive interest among system builders already, he claimed.

While AMD has struggled to provide an answer to the sales arguments made for Intel’s dual-core technology, the new triple-core X3 Phenom II parts could provide some salvation, he predicted.

AMD has added a product aimed squarely at the gaming and high-performance PC users. The Phenom II X3 720 has a Black Edition processor, designed for ‘pure overclocking’.

All will be available as ‘trays’ or ‘processors in a box’, except the 910 and 805, which are ‘tray only’ products aimed at system integrators.

Support for the new products is crucial, said Connell, who added that he was cheered by the response of partners. “Support for our new technology has been great, and all the key partners have created new series of motherboards,” he said.

Asus, Biostar, ECS, Foxconn, Jetway, Gigabyte, MSI and Sapphire are reportedly launching new boards.

Tony Riccardi, marketing director for system builder Mesh, said the competition will be good news for consumers and system builders alike and is long overdue.

“Intel seems to have a serious challenge on its hands for the first time in ages and the extra attention on new technologies and launches will be great,” he said.

"Customers love choice and they love buying competitively priced technology that provides them with a measure of future-proofing. With Phenom II, that is exactly what we are seeing.”

AMD insiders predict that the move to DDR3 memory will add five per cent to AMD’s performance figures across the board.

AMD. A PR company

For 2 years we have seen AMD's public relations people putting out glowing reports that have to proven to be smoke and mirrors. Barcelona, Phenoms, etc have all been flops. This PR is probaly more of the same.
The overclocking demonstration was a circus since the coolant was liquid Helium, not practical for us gamers.

Posted by MS | 05 Feb 2009

display:none
Loading
We won't publish your address
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions

Your comment will be moderated before publication.

Will Apple's attitude to the channel change in 2012?

52%

18%

29%

1%

CRN Partner Connect 2012

CRN Partner Connect logo

CRN's premier networking event is back on 17 May at the Ricoh Arena

Date: Thu 17 May 2012

CRN Fight Night 2012

One of the fights from CRN Fight Night 2010

Channel fighters preparing to square up once more on 24 May

Date: Thu 24 May 2012

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Submit your email address and we'll send a link to a personal newsletter control panel

fragment image

The mobile enterprise: Secure the data, not the device

The proliferation of endpoint devices within the enterprise has highlighted the shortcomings of one of the traditional approaches to data security

fragment image

Measuring the ROI of Google Apps

This Forrester report compares the costs and benefits of legacy email and productivity software with Google Apps


Dave the dealer blog

Dave the dealer

Clocking off

Dave discovers that rozzers are seemingly living in the technology dark ages

View from the channel

Views from the Channel

Departing CEO has done Dixons a service

Mark Needham, founder of distributor Widget, argues that John Browett leaves for Apple with Dixons in better shape than when he arrived

To send to more than one email address, simply separate each address with a comma.