AMD Launches Dual-Core Processors

AMD has officially released its long-anticipated dual-core processors to systems builders and key OEMs. The launch of AMD's Opteron 200 and 800 Series processors comes just days after Intel released its first dual-core processors, paving the way for what many believe will eventually be the next generation of computing.

While Intel technically beat rival AMD to the punch on Monday with its dual-core offering consisting of the 3.2-GHz Pentium Extreme Edition 840 and the 955X Express chipset, these processors are aimed at desktops used for entertainment and gaming (Alienware, Dell and Velocity Micro unveiled the first such systems systems).

Intel is planning its more mainstream, high-volume Pentium D by the end of June. For its part, AMD officials point out that its new dual-core offering is suited for both workstations and servers out of the shoot.

Currently, Intel is "focused on the client side of the market," says Gina Longoria, AMD's Opteron product manager. "Our strategy really focuses first on the server and workstation market."

AMD officials say the 200 and 800 Series dual-core processors are compatible with existing x86-based applications, requiring a basic BIOS upgrade, which involves insubstantial code changes. For 64-bit dual-core support, Sun has released a dual-core version of Solaris 10 for AMD's multicore servers and says it will offer AMD dual-core support on its entire server line. Today, it also announced the SunFire V40z, a four-socket, eight-way server that integrates four microprocessors each with two CPU cores. The new servers will ship in May.

For its part, HP announced two dual-core servers, the Proliant BL45p BladeSystem and the DL585. The BL45P is based on the 800 Series processors and offers four-processor performance, HP says. Pricing for a single-core iteration starts at $7,000. The DL585 also supports the 800 Series and is targeted at data-center and online transaction-processing applications. A single-core version starts at $10,000. Both will be available next month. HP also launched several dual-core workstations.

Likewise, IBM debuted a new server and workstation based on AMD's new dual-core line. IBM said it is taking orders for a dual-core version of its e326 server and launched the Intellistation A Pro 6217 workstations. Typical systems cost about $5,000, an IBM official says.

AMD says it is also aggressively pushing the systems builder and white-box market, saying dual-core systems are a good opportunity for them to offer differentiated products and services. The Opteron 200 Series start at $851 in 1,000-unit quantities for the Model 275. The 800 Series will start at $1,514 for the same quantities and will go as high as $2,649 for the Model 875.