AMD Challenges Intel to a Dual-Core Duel; Live Shoot-Out to Focus on Server Workloads and Energy Consumption

Business Wire, August 23, 2005

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- In the spirit of fair and open competition, AMD (NYSE:AMD) today issued a challenge to Intel to conduct a head-to-head competition of dual-core x86 server processors. AMD's proposed dual-core duel in 2005 would be a live, public performance evaluation between server platforms based on the highest-performing Dual-Core AMD Opteron(TM) 800 Series or 200 Series processors and the corresponding Intel x86 server processors that are commercially available in volume.

The challenge, issued today in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, San Jose Mercury News and The San Francisco Chronicle, features the world's first x86 dual-core server microprocessor, the Dual-Core AMD Opteron processor, in a boxing ring waiting for the Intel challenger. AMD has challenged Intel to settle the question once and for all -- whose x86-based dual-core architecture best meets server customer's needs.

"Since we launched Dual-Core AMD Opteron processors in April 2005, we've won every major industry-standard benchmark for x86 servers. AMD64 dual-core technology provides industry-leading performance, is easy to upgrade and is energy efficient," said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager, Microprocessor Solutions Sector, AMD. "We are giving our competitor a fair and open opportunity to challenge our clear market leadership in a public setting. A head-to-head match using industry-standard benchmarks will arm customers with the information necessary to determine which company can best meet their computing needs. The gauntlet has been thrown down, it is time to cut through the hype, and demonstrate who the industry's leader in x86 dual-core processing is today."

Should Intel accept AMD's challenge, the duel would take place at a public venue to be announced in the coming weeks, with testing conducted by a neutral, third-party testing lab. Testing would be done using industry-standard server benchmarks most relevant to customers today such as SPECjbb(R) and SPECweb(R) Measurement on energy consumption would also be conducted.

For more information on AMD's challenge to Intel, please visit www.amd.com/duel. Stay tuned to this web site over the coming months for additional details on the duel, including an online petition to be launched in early September.

About the AMD Opteron(TM) Processor

More than 75 of the top 100 of the Forbes Global 2000 companies or their affiliates, representing the world's most competitive industries, now use AMD Opteron(TM) processor-based systems to run applications at new levels of performance. The AMD Opteron processor, based on AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture, made history as the industry's first x86 multi-core processor for servers and workstations that is both 32- and 64-bit capable. Dual-Core AMD Opteron processors can deliver higher performance within the same power envelope as single-core processors because they were designed from the ground up for multi-core computing. With a broad portfolio of dual-core and single-core solutions and a robust 64-bit ecosystem, AMD and its customers are leading the way to the next evolution of enterprise computing.

About AMD

AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to delivering standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises and governments to individual consumers. For more information visit www.amd.com.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, AMD Opteron, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.