Replies to post #16254 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[sgolds]

Tim Fowler, still accurate? It was never accurate:

The difference between AMD and Intel, though, is that Intel is actively participating in defining (say: "bullying") the memory specifications of the future regardless of the cost concerns of the DRAMurai. AMD, on the other hand, whenever we asked them, appeared to be mostly concerned with staying mainstream and swallowing whatever was served by the DRAM makers as the best roadmap.

Quite to the contrary, while Intel was busy bullying everyone to go to RDRAM, AMD was working with the industry to help develope DDR. AMD was the first major user to commit to DDR, and participated in the standards efforts. At the same time they worked with both the computer industry and consumer electronics industry to develope and promote HyperTransport, a complimentary technology. Yes they stay mainstream, and they do it by helping to develope the mainstream.

The article is only accurate in identifying that Intel once pushed RDRAM (which it mistakingly calls by the inventing company's name, Rambus). It is also true that low latency CPUs do better with low latency DRAM. Other than that, it was a silly article.

Edit: There are many who believe that AMD will be in the lead with DDR-II also, building it into K8 product next year (going to a controller which can support either DDR-I or -II).