Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[jhalada]

wbmw,

Switching between Intel and AMD voids all of these. It requires more R&D to re-architect the platform level differences (Hypertransport vs FSB, direct connect memory vs northbridge, etc). It requires a brand new supply chain, which can hamper product ramps and make it harder to deliver products to end-users.

There are differences (that are as big) between generation of Intel chips / chipsets, (with Serverworks chipsets thrown in the mix).

As far as supply chain, Sun gets their entire system from Newisys, HP from Celestica, IBM from MSI (I believe).

Furthermore, servers have 1 year or 2 year refresh cycles, and Sun won't find alignment between an Intel and AMD roadmap. In the end, this means less competitive product costs, possible product delays, and less NPV per product refresh, not to mention the annoyances these things will have on Sun's customers.

This, is clearly false. HP did a first 4 way Opteron box, it was on time, performs better and costs less than any 4 way Intel Xeon box, even though HP / Compaq have been working with Intel for decades now. Sorry, I have to call your post FUD again.

Joe