AMD Unveils World's Highest-Performing Processor for Desktop PCs On Third Anniversary of AMD Athlon Processor
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2002--
--Delivering performance over clockspeed, the new AMD Athlon(TM) XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ offer PC customers exceptional choices--
AMD (NYSE:AMD) today celebrates the third anniversary of the award-winning AMD Athlon(TM) processor by announcing the world's highest-performing processor for desktop PCs, the AMD Athlon XP processor 2600+. AMD also introduced the AMD Athlon XP processor 2400+.
"The introduction of the highest-performing PC processor in the world is a victory for application performance and a resounding defeat for the `megahertz myth,'" said Ed Ellett, vice president of marketing for AMD's Computation Products Group. "As the performance leader, the AMD Athlon XP processor 2600+ reigns as the superior choice and delivers outstanding application performance for richer, high-powered digital computing."
Since its debut three years ago, the AMD Athlon processor has achieved widespread industry acclaim as its architectural superiority continues to deliver award-winning performance. The processor and systems based on it have won more than 100 awards worldwide, including PC Magazine's Reader's Choice Award, Product of the Year 2001/2002; Microprocessor Report's Analyst's Choice Award for Best PC Processor in 2001; and Maximum PC's CPU of the Year in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
"Microprocessor cognoscenti have long understood the folly of using megahertz as a proxy for performance," observed Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at Insight 64. "Processors used in today's high-end servers run at approximately one gigahertz, but outperform the fastest desktop PC designs. Even within the PC processor segment, differing approaches to chip design make simple megahertz-based performance comparisons somewhat ambiguous. This problem will only get worse over time. PC buyers should rethink their purchasing criteria, and focus on how fast their applications run, rather than on the PC processor's megahertz rating."
The AMD Athlon XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ feature QuantiSpeed(TM) architecture, which delivers performance advantages versus competitive PC processors on a broad array of real-world applications, including digital media, office productivity and 3D gaming.
Availability
AMD has begun shipping samples of the AMD Athlon XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ to major computer manufacturers worldwide with expected system availability in September.
Pricing
The AMD Athlon XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ are priced at $297 and $193, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. For pricing on other AMD processors, please visit: amd.com.
About the AMD Athlon(TM) XP Processor
The AMD Athlon XP processor features QuantiSpeed architecture, 384KB of on-chip, full-speed cache, and support for AMD's 3DNow!(TM) Professional instructions for enhanced multimedia capabilities. The AMD Athlon XP processor is compatible with AMD's Socket A infrastructure, and supports the advanced 266MHz front-side bus. AMD Athlon XP processors are manufactured using AMD's 0.13 micron copper process technology in Fab 30 in Dresden, Germany. |
