AMD strictly moderated (AMD)

[mmoy]

[AMD plans to design only one more version of this processor family, releasing a 3.2GHz dual-core Opteron chip by the fourth quarter, before committing entirely to a quad-core Opteron design called "Barcelona," due to reach markets in the middle of 2007, Patla said. AMD will continue to produce those final dual-core Opteron chip designs for several years to come.]

If they're going to be shipping QC parts in the middle of
2007, why the need to ship a 3.2 Ghz DC Opteron by Q4? That thing is going to suck up a lot of power too judging from the 3.0 Ghz X2 specs.

[Even so, the new Opteron chips beat Intel's fastest dual-core "Woodcrest" processors in several benchmarks, AMD claimed in a full-page newspaper ad running on Wednesday. ]

Anyone got a pointer to the ad?

[In return, Intel spokeswoman Christine Dotts replied with a single word: "Rubbish." She questioned AMD's benchmarking conditions and said that customers seeking improved server speed can buy Intel's quad-core chips for the same price as AMD's dual-core chips. Intel launched its "Clovertown" quad-core Xeon processor in November.]

Turnabout is fair play. Intel was roundly criticized on their
first round of benchmarks on a machine that couldn't be opened.
But at least they allowed reviewers to play with it.