Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

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Re: I am not sure why you keep coming back to volume. Quad core processor (especially) in 2006 would obviously be a very low volume product.

Volume is important, or else you lose money on your designs. If AMD is designing processors with the intention of only making money on them several quarters after they have a chance to ramp, then Intel will eat them alive by winning in the mainstream. That's sort of what's happening now. AMD has those fabulous X2 processors that make Smithfield look like a "donkey", but Intel is the one who will make money on their dual core, while AMD has sunk R&D costs that won't be recovered until the product ramps next year. Even at AMD's sky high ASPs for these parts, they somehow found a way to possibly lose money this quarter. And this is with Intel pushed to the ground with a high heel stuck at the nape of their neck. I can't imagine how things will look if AMD tries this approach and Intel is competitive or - gasp! - higher performing at lower power.

Re: When it becomes a volume, rather than premium processor, say in 2007, it will enter mainstrean pricing. At that point, the market for systems with >2 and >4 sockets is going to shrink rapidly.

I don't see this happening. I see the 4-socket market getting used to running with 16 threads, and still carrying a premium over 8-threaded products.

Re: Perception that they ar releasing another donkey? That Intel is still behind? Let's just wait and see if Intel has a Merom derivative for server market for sale in DC form in 2006, before we speculate about 2xDC in an MCM package.

Smithfield may be a "donkey" to the AMDroids, but it is a viable product that will sell millions this year alone. A quad core answer to AMD doesn't need to be elegant; although, Intel's Whitefield core is due in 2007 and sounds like it's native quad core. If AMD slips, then an MCM probably isn't necessary, anyway. Therefore, I agree that it's too early to speculate, but my point is that Intel probably has options open if AMD wants a quad core race. And I doubt even another MCM will give the impression that Intel is behind, except for those people who perpetually think Intel is behind, no matter what products they are offering....