AMD to launch new breed of processors
- — 06 February, 2000 15:16
The processors, previously code-named Thunderbird, could spark another chip speed war between AMD and rival chip maker Intel similar to the two companies' race to the once coveted 1-GH mark.
The new AMD processors will roll out in frequencies ranging from 750MHz to 1GH.
The chips will also feature 200MH bus speed, and a 384KB on-chip cache that AMD officials are saying is the fastest on-chip cache for x86 processors on the market.
AMD is also expected to announce new speeds next week for its value-priced Duron processor, which is designed to compete with Intel's Celeron processor. New speeds for the Duron processor are expected to be 600, 650, and 700MHz.
Next week's final announcement from AMD will be the commencement of shipments of AMD Athlon processors based on 0.18 micron copper process technology from the chip maker's Dresden Fab, according to AMD.
The addition of copper processors to the AMD line makes AMD, along with Compaq, IBM, and Motorola, one of the few companies producing copper processors for use in the marketplace.
