AMD Announces 8th-Generation
Architecture For Microprocessors
AMD redefines computer architecture with key innovations
in microprocessor design, performance
San Jose, CA October 15, 2001. At Microprocessor Forum today, AMD
(NYSE: AMD) disclosed details of the company's next-generation PC
microprocessor architecture codenamed "Hammer." AMD
developed "Hammer" architecture as a foundation for its
future portfolio of processors.
"The 'Hammer' architecture is designed to enable AMD to expand
our presence from the dual processing market to the 4- and 8-way
enterprise market, and provide top-to-bottom solutions for the
performance desktop and notebook markets," said Fred Weber, vice
president and chief technical officer of AMD's Computation Products
Group. "AMD's approach to 64-bit computing puts the IT customer
first. It enables IT managers to take advantage of existing support,
allowing them to upgrade to 64-bit software at the appropriate time
and preserve their investment in 32-bit applications."
"The 'Hammer' architecture innovations include a high bandwidth,
high-performance integrated memory, input/output and multiprocessing
controller, and a highly scalable system bus that uses
HyperTransport(tm) technology with support for single- and
multi-processor configurations," Weber said. "Together,
these innovations are designed to reduce bottlenecks in the data
pathways and speed up the transfer of information, providing more
performance and therefore, more productivity."
Another key benefit for IT managers is the "Hammer"
architecture's ability to run both 32-bit and 64-bit software
seamlessly, lowering total cost of ownership.
With "Hammer," AMD has developed an architecture that is
centered on delivering unparalleled system performance for desktop and
mobile computers as well as workstations and servers. Recognizing that
business and home users need an accurate measure of performance, AMD
recently announced its True Performance Initiative as a way to help
the computer industry develop a reliable processor performance metric
that PC users can trust. Processor performance is measured by
instructions (work) per clock cycle times megahertz, not megahertz
alone. Products developed with "Hammer" architecture are
planned to support this initiative.
AMD has consistently focused on removing bottlenecks for both the
system and microprocessor to deliver superior application performance.
Past innovations such as QuantiSpeed(tm) architecture, Smart MP
technology, advanced system buses, and full-speed on-chip cache have
all been developed or improved upon by AMD. The next-generation
"Hammer" architecture continues this tradition with an
8th-generation microprocessor core and the integration of key system
elements.
About "Hammer"
Architecture
Industry leaders understand the need to anticipate and plan for future
computing needs while meeting today's challenges. Unlike other 64-bit
microprocessor architectures, "Hammer" architecture is
specifically designed to allow migration from 32-bit to 64-bit code
while providing performance for both. This is designed to allow IT
managers to move to 64-bit applications as the need arises while
continuing to run 32-bit code quickly and efficiently. As businesses
begin to adopt 64-bit applications to meet the need for
memory-intensive programs, the requirement for fast, seamless
execution of both types of code becomes paramount.
About AMD's x86-64 Technology
AMD's straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86
instruction set, one of the industry's most proven and widely
supported technologies. AMD's x86-64 technology is designed to support
applications that address large amounts of physical and virtual
memory, such as high performance servers, database management systems,
and CAD tools. The x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into the
current computing and support environment, and is designed to enable
enterprises to deploy high performance 64-bit capable systems that
build upon the billions of dollars already invested in 32-bit
software.
About HyperTransport(tm) Technology
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, high-performance,
point-to-point link for integrated circuits. HyperTransport technology
provides a universal connection that is designed to reduce the number
of buses within the system, provide a high-performance link for
embedded applications, and enable highly scalable multiprocessing
systems. It was developed to enable the chips inside of PCs,
networking and communications devices to communicate with each other
up to 48 times faster than with existing technologies.
About AMD
AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and
networked computer and communications markets with manufacturing
facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Asia. AMD, a
Fortune 500 and Standard & Poor's 500 company, produces
microprocessors, flash memory devices, and support circuitry for
communications and networking applications.
AMD on the Web
For more information about today's announcement, please visit our
virtual pressroom at http://www.amd.com/news/spotlight.
Additional press releases are available at www.amd.com/news/news.html.
AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, and combinations thereof, and QuantiSpeed are
trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. HyperTransport is a
trademark of the HyperTransport Technology Consortium.
