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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elmer who wrote (45946)	1/14/1999 1:14:00 PM
From: Jim McMannis	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1570827

Elmer, All I can tell you is to listen to the conference call. Hey, you're the expert, if you don't know what a mask problem is I sure don't. Maybe we can get some input from Yousef or AMD investor, Paul... Jim

To: Elmer who wrote (45946)	1/14/1999 1:26:00 PM
From: Scumbria	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1570827

Elmer, The term "mask problem" wasn't intended to convince me, it was intended to convince you. AMD seems to use the term "mask problem" to indicate a design speedpath. Scumbria

To: Elmer who wrote (45946)	1/14/1999 1:47:00 PM
From: Yousef	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1570827

Elmer, Re: "I can't figure out what a "mask problem" is. It just sounds like another smoke screen ..." I believe that AMD is referring to a change in the mask to fix a speedpath problem. The design and process interact to determine the "speed distribution" of a given design. Obviously, AMD does not have much speed margin with their current 400mhz part. This can be improved by changing the process (increase Idsat, lower R & C ...) or changing the design. If just one or two speedpaths are what is limiting the 400mhz distribution, then it makes sense to change the design. Also it is obvious that AMD was forced to hastily put the 400mhz K6-2 into production. This might work short term (long enough for AMD insiders to sell), but will not work long term. Hope this helps. Make It So, Yousef