Intel, AMD Race to Capture Dual Core Chip Market

April 25, 2005
(CoolAvenues News Wire)

Following the launch of dual core processor for desktops by Intel last week, AMD introduced its first three dual core process chip for servers on last Thursday, thus setting themselves for another round of war in this highly competitive industry.

Dual core processor has two CPUs, which can take more data and simultaneously process the data into rich multimedia content at a faster rate.

Alienware, Dell and Velocity Micro started selling desktop PCs and work-stations based on Intel's first dual-core processor-based platform last week. Intel's first dual-core processor-based platform includes the Intel(r) Pentium(r) Processor Extreme Edition 840 running at 3.2 GHz and the Intel(r) 955X Express Chipset. The dual-core processor-based PCs are geared for computer hobbyists and entertainment enthusiasts.

However, AMD is focusing its energy on the servers market, as its Opteron chip is available to customers immediately while its desktop line will be available to customers by June. In comparison, though Intel desktop chip is already available, its Xeon servers chip will not be available before 2006.

One of key issues in multi processor chips will be the issue of licensing, as at present there is no clear understanding between software companies about licensing policies. Some companies like oracle treat dual core processors as separate processors while some like Redhat & Microsoft intends to consider multi-core processor as a single product. Hence, in long term it will be interesting to note the development of multi-core processors as well as pricing policies of the software companies as it might break or build the adoption of multi core processors.

Concluded.

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