<<Like what? Anything that can beat out K7. Don't be shy, give me the dope.>>
Beat it out for what? Wide receiver? Split end? First of all, AMD has already said K7 is intended for performance PCs and low end workstations. That leaves out high end workstations and servers, where the big margins are. OK, so it's a desktop CPU chip by AMD's admission. It's performance vs. Intel PII's or Katmais remains to be seen. It's much too early to say anything. No silicon yet (at least from AMD). OK, K7's biggest problem, regardless of its performance, will be that it is not compatible with Intel's chips WRT chipset and mechanical I/O and, therefore, mainboard. OEMs will have to go out on a limb to design or procure all this stuff, which is different and separate from what they need for Intel. Are they going to support both, or drop Intel? Don't think they're going to drop Intel. Cut to the chase:
I feel like I can speak as someone with a lot of experience competing with another almost overwhelming market dominator. When that is the case, you better be compatible, or one whole helluva lot better (at least 2X) or plan on losing that particular battle. That battle in this case is K7.
Tony |
