Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[UpNDown]

sgolds, on tentative Intel answer to AMD64

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Intel is now too far behind AMD64 technology to catch up on 64-bit x86. By the time Intel would be able to introduce a competitor to K8, K9 will be out. Intel is not able to leapfrog AMD in this race as AMD seems to have that magic mix of timing, technology capability, partnership support and focus on their side. AMD is just too nimble. Assigning more Intel resources to the task will not help.

Intel needs AMD to take a stumble. If AMD doesn't stumble at 90nm., Intel has big problems. Even if AMD were to stumble at 90nm., the 130nm. production is world-beating at this point and probably for the foreseeable future.

The transition to 65nm. is probably the "tipping point" here. If AMD is able to pull that off -- K9 on 65nm. (I know K9 is supposed to be on 90nm. first, I'm talking about the first shrink), the microprocessor world as we know it will be turned upside down.

For SemiconEng's benefit: just my humble opinion.