News
AMD Expands Opteron Processor Family
- By Scott Bekker
- May 20, 2004
AMD broadened its family of Opteron processors this week with the addition of three models, including one version for four-processor systems. Opteron processors can run 32-bit applications but are capable of 64-bit performance.
AMD's new models are the 850, 250 and 150. Only the Opteron Model 250 is available immediately. The chip is designed for use in workstations and servers with up to two processors. It is priced at $851 in 1,000-unit quantities.
Coming within 30 days are the Opteron 850, which is for up to four-way servers, and the Opteron 150 for single-processor workstations and entry-level servers. The Opteron 850 will cost $1,514 in 1,000-unit quantities. The Opteron 150 will cost $637 in 1,000-unit quantities.
AMD got a credibility boost recently at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference when several Microsoft officials, including co-founder Bill Gates, predicted that 64-bit processors like the Opteron and similar models from Intel would make up the majority of shipping system processors by the end of 2005.
Beta versions of Windows currently support AMD 64-bit technology. Microsoft plans to ship final versions of Windows supporting Opteron, AMD64 and Intel processors with 64-bit extensions later this year.
About the Author
Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.