AMD Intros Sub-$100 Quad-Core CPU

Advanced Micro Devices (News - Alert), also known as AMD, reportedly announced the introduction of its latest innovation - an industrial first - a quad-core central processing unit for less than the $100 Suggested System Builder Price.

Officials at the company also said that by balancing the power of new AMD (News - Alert) Athlon II X4 620 quad-core processors, which was recently $99 per processor, and the AMD 785G chipset featuring ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics, AMD delivers enriched High Definition visuals (provided the monitor supports HD) and a robust base for an enhanced Windows 7 experience.

“Our goal is to deliver a great computing experience and maximize value for our customers,” said John Cook, vice president of marketing, global PC business, HP, in a statement. “The new AMD quad-core processors offer the right balance between excellent performance and price, and allow HP to continue to be a best-in-class provider of consumer technology.”

Official said that the closest known competitive product, Intel (News - Alert) Core 2 Duo E7500, costs $120, which is $21 more than the AMD Athlon II X4 620, and when an equivalent configuration (motherboard, RAM, and operating system) was benchmarked, it scored only 4597 marks versus an AMD configuration’s 5697 marks, which were higher by 1100 marks.

“Designed with customer needs in mind, Windows 7 simplifies and improves the computing experience,” said Mike Ybarra, general manager of Windows product Management at Microsoft (News - Alert) Corp., in a statement. “The introduction of the new AMD Mainstream Desktop Platform coupled with Windows 7, allows end users to enjoy their digital entertainment with a faster, higher performing experience at an attractive price point.”

While the sub-$100 pricing is attractive, it is of related significance that Windows 7 has reportedly received reviews indicating that while it is a cool operating system and far better than its much maligned predecessor –Vista, however six in 10 companies have reportedly opted out of Windows 7 means AMD can only target the remaining four in 10 companies that may go in for Windows – a significant starting disadvantage.

The report said many companies are electing to instead cut costs or ScriptLogic Corp surveyed more than 1,000 companies to evaluate the current market opportunity for the Windows 7 update. Companies reported that they have economized by cutting back on software updates and therefore do not have the resources necessary to deploy Microsoft’s latest offering.

The Windows Vista operating system has been reportedly rejected by a number of companies as being unstable. Even Intel, which has partnered with Microsoft for years, has stayed with the older XP system because some are simply concerned about the compatibility with their existing applications.

The survey found that roughly 60 percent of participants do not have plans to deploy Windows 7, while 34 percent will have it in place by the end of 2010. Only 5.4 percent of companies will deploy by the year’s end.

Aside from spending slashes, a number of companies are also working with smaller workforces, putting increased pressure on those in the IT department. As a result, these companies lack the time and resources to take on new operating system integration, especially if it proves to be as challenging as Vista. As 39 percent of companies are concerned about compatibility, some may be waiting for the release of the service pack before moving forward.

AMD said that its CPU and recommended configuration is better equipped to deliver enhanced multi-tasking via the AMD Mainstream Desktop Platform, and its ATI Stream technology -– where ATI reportedly represents Array Technologies Incorporated, which is a company that AMD acquired in 2006 - facilitates hardware acceleration that can speed HD video conversion-time so content can be ready faster for instant use by optimizing the computational capabilities of the Central Processing Unit and Graphics Processing Unit, when present.

Officials claimed that technology validation efforts have proved that it can deliver Blu-ray movie experience using less energy than a standard 75 watt light bulb, when used with a company recommended configuration.

Recently, the company released the ATI FirePro V8750 3D workstation graphics accelerator, which is created to help high end graphic users such as engineering designers, Digital Content Creation experts, Virtual reality creators, and oil and gas professionals to work at the speed of thought.