Replies to post #16845 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[I_banker]

CombJelly, you may be right that it is a cut down hammer. But then I join you in asking, why would they castrate it?

[sgolds]

CombJelly, I think that AMD calculates they can better protect the overall ASPs by not driving 64-bits into the value market. That would be the purpose of a K8 32-bit processor. AMD is differentiating their product line in a way which may be novel to some AMD shareholders, but Intel has used this model successfully for many years.

[chipguy]

The thing that I don't understand is why this would exist
at all. It makes no sense (to me, at least) why they would
continue with 32 bit processors. The more 64 bit capable
processors out there, the better. Otherwise they risk giving
software companies a reason not to port software to 64 bits.


The obvious answer would the same reason Celeron exists,
market segmentation. Maybe AMD thinks they can charge
more for 64 bitness so they need a 32 bit product if they
still want to play in the low end.

I doubt the increase in AMD64 uptake from going "all 64
bits all the time" would make a difference to ISVs. AMD64
processors would still be a tiny fraction of the market so
a 64 bit app would still need a darn good reason to exist.
That darn good reason probably precludes the low end PC
market anyways.