AMD fights back with new dual core Opterons

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AMD has announced the release of its dual core server processors, dubbed Next-Generation Opteron.

The new dual core processors are up to 15 per cent faster than the older processors, have improved support for virtualisation and reduced power consumption, an increasingly important specification as large data centres look to cut costs. The chips are the next stage in a battle for market share with Intel, which has seen AMD gain 20 per cent market share in the last three years.

"In 2006, AMD expects to double the number of AMD Opteron processor-based systems offered from global and regional tier-one OEMs," said Randy Allen, corporate vice president for AMD's server and workstation division.

"Today's announcement represents continued innovation along the customer-directed path we blazed years ago; we provide the complete x86 processor architectural standard for others in the industry to emulate and have planned a seamless upgrade path to quad-core processors."

At the launch AMD also announced that it had reached the final stage of development for its quad core processors and would be releasing the first chips onto the market in 2007. The new Opterons and the forthcoming quad core processors will share the same socket design, a move that will allow easy upgrades.

HP, the market leader in x86 servers and one of AMD's biggest customers, has already announced systems using the new processor. The new additions will be in the ProLiant and HP BladeSystem ranges.

"In addition to delivering servers that set high standards for power efficiency and control in the enterprise, HP is working with AMD to offer solutions optimised for virtualisation, and the results are impressive," said Marty Seyer, senior vice president of AMD's Commercial Segment.

"The AMD Opteron processor-based HP ProLiant DL585 has become one of the preferred choices for virtualisation among Wall Street IT customers. HP and AMD are delivering what data centre managers crave most - predictability and stability with quad-core ready systems that will offer a consistent thermal envelope as they make the transition from dual- to quad-core in 2007."

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