SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Advanced Micro Devices Inc. here today announced a new microprocessor--which is said to be faster than competitive chips from rival Intel Corp.
The new chip, dubbed the Athlon XP processor 2600+, is geared for high-performance desktop PCs, according to the Sunnyvale-based company. AMD also introduced the Athlon XP processor 2400+, which is aimed for similar markets.
AMD claims the 2600+ is faster than competitive chips from Intel. "The introduction of the highest-performing PC processor in the world is a victory for application performance and a resounding defeat for the `megahertz myth,'" said Ed Ellett, vice president of marketing for AMD's Computation Products Group, in a statement.
The AMD executive was taking a pot shot at Intel, which uses the conventional megahertz rating to measure MPU speeds. Recently, AMD took a less conventional approach to rate MPU speeds, it was noted.
The AMD Athlon XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ feature the company's QuantiSpeed architecture, which delivers performance advantages versus competitive PC processors on a broad array of real-world applications, including digital media, office productivity and 3D gaming.
AMD has begun shipping samples of the Athlon XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ to major computer manufacturers worldwide, with expected system availability in September.
The AMD Athlon XP processors 2600+ and 2400+ are priced at $297 and $193, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities
