Replies to post #18869 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[Jerry R]

Dan3 - SUN is just as capable of putting together a cheater compiler as is Intel

I guess I need to remind you that Intel did not develop a cheater compiler; new and improved benchmarks simply exposed the performance deficiencies of your beloved Athlon CPU. Of course, if Intel's compiler was of the "cheater" variety, why would your beloved AMD use it in so many of it's benchmark submissions?

www.spec.org

Sgolds' caution on the significance of the Sun design win is appropriate. Sun is on the decline and their adoption of Opteron was a knee-jerk reaction to stem the inevitable tide to bankruptcy/acquisition. Sun will not be the reason Opteron succeeds.

[sgolds]

Dan3, you make some good points about Sun's software and systems expertise. I do think they will make decent Opteron systems. Will they be able to sell them? I hope so.

However, Sun's decline has not been gradual, rather it has been very steep. To lose 50% of the marketshare in a one year period (documented in my last post) is very steep. Right now, the server business is dominated by IBM and HPQ, with everyone else bunched in back.

Among AMD longs here, there has been a lot of excitement over the Sun deal. As an AMD long myself, I have to call attention to the limitations in the Sun relationship. Everyone else is shouting about the advantages, so I don't need to repeat that part!

Sun is attempting a turnaround, and I wish them luck.