PCs ship with 1.1GHz Athlons
Advanced Micro Devices says PCs running on its copper-wired 1.1GHz Athlon chip are now being sold internationally by 10 manufacturers including Compaq, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard and IBM. Based on AMD's Thunderbird processor core, the chip has 256 kB of integrated Level 2 cache and supports AMD's 200MHz system bus. For about $2,500, customers will get the 1.1GHz chip, 128MB of SDRAM, a 45GB hard drive, Nvidia Inc.'s GeForce 2 GTS graphics card and a 19" monitor.
While Intel is beset with troubles, in the midst of a recall of its 1.13GHz chip and struggling with manufacturing problems even with slower product, AMD's facilities are reportedly running smoothly. Furthermore, releases of faster AMD chips combined with price reductions for slower silicon will take place soon. Intel has yet to switch to copper wiring but its Pentium 4, due for release later this year, should put the company back into the game after having lost considerable ground to AMD.
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