AMD forecasts prices for server Hammers (Opterons)
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By Mike Magee: Wednesday 18 December 2002, 09:50
SERVER SYSTEMS USING AMD'S Opteron processor will be launched at speeds of 1.6GHz and 1.4GHz and will initially cost between $3,000 and $6,000, we can reveal today. Scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2003, they will be rapidly followed by SledgeHammer (Opteron) systems at 2GHz and 1.8GHz, costing $25,000 or more in the second quarter.
Then, we will also see 1.6GHz Opteron systems between $10,000 and $25,000, 1.4GHz systems costing between $6,000 and $10,000 while AMD also hopes that its server customers will introduce dual processor systems at 2GHz and 1.8GHz, at between $3,000 and $6,000.
The Barton dual processor systems are expected to be introduced using AMD's "PR" speed of 2800+, for servers up to $3,000 during the second quarter.
In the third quarter, AMD will have speeds of 2.2GHz for its SledgeHammer server processors, with prices shuffling in an Intel-like roadmap manner.
And in the fourth quarter of next year, it hopes systems will be available at speeds of 2.6GHz, and 2.4GHz, with these multiprocessing systems occupying the $25,000+ slot.
Barton is unlikely to ship beyond the 2800+ level.
AMD will also position uniprocessor workstation Sledgehammers in the second quarter next year, at 2GHz. In Q3 there will be 2.2GHz workstation systems and in the fourth quarter 2.6GHz workstations. These systems are expected to cost up to $3,000.
AMD is clearly positioning these SledgeHammer systems head to head against Intel's lucrative "Xeon" family of chips.
The 2.6Ghz Opterons will be good at least until the third quarter of 2004. Barton MP systems may be sold until Q1 of 2004, while AMD is predicting that its 1.8GHz, 1.6Ghz and 1.4GHz SledgeHammers will die the good death of a CPU at the same time. µ
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