Intel Corp (INTC)

[fingolfen]

Some interesting quotes:

From Anandtech:

"Another paper-launched CPU from AMD; but all that aside, the Athlon XP 2800+ is the first to introduce the 333MHz FSB for the Athlon platform."

From Tom:

"The test results of the two new Athlon XP processors are quite convincing, but there's still a bit of a damper on the party: AMD won't be able to deliver these fast CPUs until the beginning of next year. The nForce 2 chipset is also still in a late beta phase, so currently, motherboard manufacturers aren't able to offer any final version boards. Observing the market situation from a political point of view, it's easily concluded that the Athlon XP 2800+ has only been launched for prestige. AMD clearly has the Intel Pentium 4/2800 in view, but Intel's CPU is already available. Thus, the Athlon XP 2800+ remains only a virtual market competitor for the top P4 model. Hopefully, this won't lead ambitious AMD fans to despair, because the Athlon XP 2200+ with the Thoroughbred A core has already been available for three months now. And, we've checked out the availability at various computer specialty stores: they're currently taking waiting lists for the Athlon XP 2400+ and 2600+."

A couple of years ago with the coppermine P3 core based on the ageing P6 architecture, Intel had a few "paper launches", especially around the 1GHz mark, and then there was that 1.13GHz P3 fiasco. Once the P4 was released on 0.18 micron, Intel pretty much ended the paper launch, but for those tenuous few months, AMD clearly had an advantage. Now it looks as if the shoe is squarely on the other foot. The fastest AMD processor actually available is the 2200+ (although the Inq indicates that the 2400+ and 2600+ are on the way). The problem for AMD is the 2600+ does not catch up to the 2.8GHz P4, and the 3.06GHz P4HT is due out... soon. AMD has therefore made one paper launch two months ago, and even before those parts hit the street, has made yet another paper launch. The sad thing is I predict that many of those who decried Intel for the paper launches will offer up a multitude of rationalizations as to why its "okay" for AMD to do the same... to an even greater degree...