AMD going to render Intel's multibillion dollar

When it looked like AMD was going to render Intel's multibillion dollar IA64 effort (aka Itanium) irrelevant with its brassy push into 64-bit computing using an extended x86 architecture, Intel responded with EM64T. When it was first revealed that Intel had an x86-64 project in the works, codenamed Yamhill, the company at first denied the project's existence. Eventually, though, EM64T surfaced, and it proved to be a near-clone of AMD's x86-64. There are some subtle differences in calling conventions between the two processors, but the differences are slight enough that compatibility isn't usually a worry.

Last week in Part I, we took a look at the AMD dual-core Athlon 64 X2 4800's performance on 64-bit Windows. As it turned out, Windows XP Pro X64 ran most 32-bit applications just fine on the X2 4800, and 64-bit code showed a few modest performance gains.

Despite what the company called significant gains in shipments of its processors, the acquisition of ATI in 2006 and its price war with Intel took a toll on the company's bottom line.

AMD Pushes New Motherboard Format

Playing to the popularity of small-form-factor PCs, AMD unveils the DTX standard, a new ATX-derivative motherboard. (PCMag.com)

AMD Looks to Be 'Better'

The chip maker is looking to differentiate itself from Intel by offering a package that the company says will allow PCs to take full advantage of Microsoft's Vista.

Intel Adds 3 Quad-core Chips to the Mix

Updated: At the CES expo in Las Vegas, Intel demonstrates its Core 2 Quad processor for mainstream PCs and announces two additions to its server line.

Multicore Computing, Virtualization Will Grow in Importance in 2007

While innovation in the server market looks to be on an uptick for 2007, analysts suspect the PC business will remain flat with enterprises and customers adjusting to Microsoft's Vista.

AMD's Live Comes to Notebooks

The chip maker will bring its consumer and multimedia platform to notebooks with a formal announcement at CES.

Intel to Announce Quad-Core Processors for Servers at CES

The chip maker is looking to make news within the enterprise space at CES by detailing two new Xeon quad-core processors that are specifically designed for servers.

Source: Intel's Core 2 Quad to Debut at CES

The processor will be marketed for consumer PCs and will add to Intel's lineup of quad-core processors that includes five chips for enterprise servers and an extreme chip for high-end computers.

PC Platforms: Looking Back at 2006 and Ahead to 2007

Feature: It's been a banner year for processors, chip sets, and memory. We take a look at 2006, and then gaze into our crystal ball to try to predict what will happen in 2007. (ExtremeTech)

AMD Rolls Out New Athlon Processors

The chip maker announced that it would add to its Athlon 64 X2 dual-core offerings with the 5400+ and the 5600+.

AMD to Roll Out Powerful, Energy-Efficient 65-nm Chips

The move to a 65-nm process is part of the preparation for the chip maker's native quad-core processors, which are due out later in 2007.

AMD Offers a Quad-core Tease

The chip maker is offering analysts a look at its quad-core processor.

Intel Brings Quad-Core Chips to Market

HP and Gateway are among the systems makers adopting the new line of processors, aimed at both the server and high-end desktop markets.

Intel Offering Software Suite for SMBs

This software Internet suite will offer RSS, blogging and wiki services for small and a midsize businesses and Intel will distribute it through its channel program and its OEM partners.

AMD Offers Graphics Chips for Older Macs

The chip maker says the ATI Radeon X1900 will help Mac users with gaming, photo editing, video and graphics.

Dell Offers AMD-Based Notebook on Its Web Site

Updated: The Texas PC maker is advertising an AMD-based notebook on its Web site, although no formal announcement has been made.

AMD Completes $5.4 Billion ATI Acquisition

With its purchase, AMD is positioning itself to offer better chips for business computers as well as opening new markets to reach more consumers.

Intel Profit Falls 35 Percent in Third Quarter

The world's largest maker of microprocessors was forced the compete with AMD for market share and has to endured price cuts and layoffs.

Dell's First AMD System: Good Performance at a Good Price

Review: The Dell Dimension C521 offers a good mix of value, features, and performance. (PCMag.com)

Doubts Persist Despite the Intel Hype

Opinion: There's plenty of good news coming out of the Intel Developer Forum, but system vendors and partners may be listening to Intel with one ear and AMD with the other.

Intel Says vPro Tames Business PC Management

The chip maker's new platform aims to bolster security and remote management for business desktops; PC makers are stepping up to carry it.

Intel to Lay Off 10% of Work Force

Updated: The chip maker hopes to see savings of $2 billion in 2007 and $3 billion in 2008 through the restructuring program.

Layoffs Loom at Intel

The conclusion of Intel's ongoing efficiency review could lead to layoffs of 10,000 or more at the chip maker in September, reports say.

Targeting Opteron: Adopting Intel's 'Tulsa' Chip

The new high-end Xeon processor offers massive 16MB cache and twice the performance of the current "Paxville MP" model, according to the chip maker.

Intel Readies Official 'Tulsa' Launch

The dual-core Xeon MP will be the last processor in the chip maker's NetBurst architecture.

Intel's Core 2 Makes Notebook Debut

Updated: Dell, Alienware, Toshiba and other PC makers begin offering Intel's Core 2 Duo chip for notebooks.

Dell to Offer More Desktops with AMD Inside

Updated: Dell is set to broaden its relationship with chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices as it works to firm up its position in the PC market.

Dell to Sport AMD PCs?

Analysts say Dell could announce plans to deliver AMD-based PC