06/11/2002 — AMD's future eighth-generation AMD Opteron(tm) processors will bring 64-bit computing choice to enterprise customers

Systems based on AMD's four to eight-way multiprocessing platform will be suitable for all enterprise-class workloads. AMD has resolved to provide businesses a platform to help them grow into the 64-bit future, without abandoning the productive and valuable investments they have already made in their 32-bit environments.

"What a difference a year makes," said Ed Ellett, vice president of marketing for AMD's Computational Products Group. "One year ago, we introduced our first-ever multiprocessor designed for the commercial market. Today, we're demonstrating a four-way product that will enable us to exceed the needs of even more enterprise users in the future. With this upcoming product, enterprises will have, for the first time, a choice of x86-based, four to eight-way servers for their critical e-business and database applications."

AMD's server demonstration, containing four AMD Opteron(tm) processors, ran a 32-bit Web server on top of a 64-bit SUSE Linux operating system and served Web pages to an eighth-generation AMD Athlon(tm) processor-based machine.

AMD has previously shown single and dual-processor configurations of its eighth-generation processor family, running both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems, including a developmental version of 64-bit Microsoft(r) Windows(r). Microsoft Corporation. is collaborating with AMD to incorporate 64-bit support for the eighth-generation AMD Athlon(tm) and AMD Opteron(tm) processors into the Windows operating system. Together, AMD's next-generation processors and Windows are designed to provide customers a flexible, compatible and reliable platform.

AMD continues to hit developmental milestones for its next-generation processors, as shown by today's demonstration, and continues to build industry momentum for its upcoming product family.

The AMD Opteron(tm) processor is designed to scale from one to eight processors with no external logic required. This can aid system designers by reducing the cost and complexity of building servers and workstations. It can also aid customers by reducing cost and increasing server scalability.

Shipments of the AMD Opteron(tm) processor are planned to begin in the first half of 2003.

About the AMD Opteron(tm) Processor

The AMD Opteron(tm) processor is based on AMD's eighth-generation processor core, which is planned to mark the introduction of the industry's first x86-64 technology implementation. This technology is planned to preserve companies' investments in 32-bit applications, while allowing a seamless transition to 64-bit computing, as those companies require. The AMD Opteron(tm) processor is designed to deliver high-performance server and workstation solutions for today's most demanding enterprise applications. The processor is designed to be scalable, reliable and compatible, which can result in lower total cost of ownership. Key AMD Opteron(tm) processor innovations include an integrated memory controller, which reduces memory bottlenecks, and HyperTransport(tm) technology, which increases overall performance by removing or reducing I/O bottlenecks, increasing bandwidth and reducing latency.

About AMD

AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD, a Fortune 500 and Standard & Poor's 500 company, produces microprocessors, Flash memory devices, and support circuitry for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, California, AMD had revenues of $3.9 billion in 2001. (NYSE: AMD).

AMD on the Web

For more information about today's announcement, please visit
www.amd.com/8thgenerationnews.
Additional press releases are available at
www.amd.com/news/news.html.

Press Contact:
Jasmin Ul-Haque
Novell, Inc
Phone: +44 (0)1344 326-900
E-mail: juh@novell.com