AMD Launches Three Dual-Core Chips

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. on Monday unveiled three models in the dual-core Opteron chip family, as the company tries to stay ahead of rival Intel Corp.

The Sunnyvale, Calif., company's Model 880 for up to eight-way, 16-core servers and Model 280 for dual-processor workstations and servers are available immediately. The Model 180 for one-processor, two-core servers and workstations is scheduled for release within 30 days. The new models are for the x86 platform.

In releasing the systems, AMD is looking to stay ahead of Intel, which has yet to release a dual-core processor, Gordon Haff, analyst for market researcher Illuminata Inc., said. Intel's first products are scheduled to ship before the end of the year.

Nevertheless, the fact that AMD is first to market doesn't necessarily mean Intel won't close the gap quickly.

"You have to do a lot of running just to stay in place in this business," Haff said.While Intel, based in Santa Clara, Calif., may have to work a bit harder in not being first, it will "at least be in the same playing field as AMD," when Intel releases its products.

The Opteron Model 880 and Model 280 are priced at $2,649 and $1,299, respectively, in 1,000-unit quantities. The Model 180 is expected to cost $799 in the same quantities.