Leveraging its leadership in performance-per-watt
computing, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today unveiled a top-to-bottom energy
efficient AMD desktop processor roadmap at the In-Stat Spring
Processor Forum. Consumers and businesses alike are requesting
smaller, more elegant PCs that aesthetically complement home and
office environments, yet deliver the same performance as larger
systems. Energy efficient AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 dual-core, AMD Athlon
64 and AMD Sempron(TM) processors, based on the upcoming socket AM2,
are designed to provide for new freedoms in PC form factor design by
offering significant performance-per-watt advantages over standard
processors for commercial and consumer markets. Energy-efficient
computing is a crucial step for the computing industry as large
businesses seek to reduce operating costs.
"AMD is challenging the status quo for commercial clients," said
Bob Brewer, corporate vice president, Desktop Business, AMD.
"Customers are demanding a renewed focus on energy efficiency and AMD
is responding by delivering energy-efficient desktop processors that
can help OEMs innovate and deliver small, sleek PC designs that enable
businesses and consumers to save energy. AMD has established
leadership in both desktop and servers with energy efficiency and
performance-per-watt, and we are extremely pleased to once again raise
the bar in desktop energy efficiency."
Building on AMD's success in the blade and general purpose server
markets with the AMD Opteron(TM) processor, energy efficient AMD
desktop processors can deliver greater performance-per-watt over
standard power AMD desktop processors and can reduce overall power
consumption. For instance, energy efficient AMD desktop processors can
provide up to 37 percent greater performance-per-watt than standard
power AMD processors, while energy efficient small form factor AMD
Athlon 64 X2 dual-core desktop processors can provide up to 154
percent greater performance-per-watt than standard power AMD desktop
processors. When running typical workloads, as reflected in the
SYSmark(R) 2004 SE benchmark, end users could experience their energy
efficient dual-core processor consuming 14 watts.+
Trends leading towards, smaller and more efficient PCs
AMD's announcement comes as the trend toward smaller and more
efficient PCs is gaining momentum in both the consumer and business
markets. Businesses seeking to lower total cost of IT ownership are
looking to smaller designs capable of reduced energy consumption, heat
and noise associated with operation. Consumers who base buying
decisions on appearance, price and performance, are also increasingly
attracted to smaller form factors.
"As a leading designer and manufacturer of small form factor
computers, Shuttle's continued commitment to innovation and creativity
with our XPC products has raised the bar on small form factor computer
design," said Ken Huang, vice president, Shuttle. "We expect energy
efficient desktop processors from AMD will give us the opportunity to
continue to differentiate ourselves, while providing competitive
solutions and choice to our customers."
"Based on advances in technology, as well as the changing business
and consumer usage models, we believe that smaller machines with more
innovative designs will outsell the 'mini-tower' designs traditionally
favored by businesses and power-hungry consumers," said Jim McGregor,
principal analyst with In-Stat. "AMD's new family of energy efficient
desktop processors nicely complements PC manufacturers' need to design
and deliver smaller, sleeker form factors into the market."
AMD remains committed to an improved global environment
The introduction of the energy efficient AMD desktop processor
roadmap further demonstrates AMD's commitment to an improved global
environment. The new line of energy efficient processors will
complement AMD's award-winning Cool'n'Quiet(TM) technology and advance
system energy efficiency. Cool'n'Quiet technology improves a
computer's energy efficiency by allowing a system to match processor
utilization to the performance actually required. In March 2005, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded AMD's
Cool'n'Quiet(TM) technology special recognition for the advancement of
energy efficient computer technologies.
AMD's commitment to energy efficiency extends from its leadership
in product design to the facilities it builds. Both of AMD's wafer
fabrication facilities, Fab 30 and Fab 36 in Dresden, Germany, are
powered by dedicated highly efficient cogeneration plants. In
addition, AMD has committed its future Austin, Texas campus to 100
percent GreenChoice power, supporting the development of alternative
energy sources.
Pricing and Availability
The initial energy efficient desktop processor model numbers
include AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core, AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Sempron
processors. These new desktop processors are slated for availability
in May. AMD also announced pricing for these processors:
-- Energy Efficient Desktop Processors++: AMD Athlon 64 X2
dual-core processors 4800+ ($671), 4600+ ($601), 4400+ ($514),
4200+ ($417), 4000+ ($353) and 3800+ ($323).
-- Energy Efficient Small Form Factor Desktop Processors+++: AMD
Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor 3800+ ($364), AMD Athlon 64
processors 3500+ ($231), and AMD Sempron processors 3400+
($145), 3200+ ($119) and 3000+ ($101).
About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of
innovative microprocessor solutions for computing, communications and
consumer electronics markets. Founded in 1969, AMD is dedicated to
delivering superior computing solutions based on customer needs that
empower users worldwide. For more information visit www.amd.com.
-0-
*T
+ Results based on preliminary testing of a system with an AMD
Athlon(TM) 64 X2 dual-core processor 3800+, 512MB DDR2 667 memory
and NVIDIA GeForce 6150 graphics running the current version of
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home in Windows "portable" power scheme
and with Cool'n'Quiet drivers installed. Tests and results
obtained using a specific computer system and components, and do
not reflect approximate performance of any specific AMD part.
Actual results will vary based on system type and configuration.
++ 65 watt Thermal Design Power
+++ 35 watt Thermal Design Power
*T
(C) 2006 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD
Athlon, AMD Opteron, AMD Cool'n'Quiet technology, and combinations
thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. SYSmark is a
registered trademark of Business Applications Performance Corporation.
NVIDIA and GeForce are registered trademarks of NVIDIA, Inc. Microsoft
and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. Other names are for informational
purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
