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AMD Also Updates 'Barcelona' Native Quad-Core Performance Projections: Marking with the fourth anniversary of the launch of the AMD Opteron processor and AMD64 technology, AMD today announced widespread availability and pricing for the performance-leading AMD Opteron Model 2222 and 8222 SE x86 dual-core server processors. The new processor, which is available in several platform configurations today from tier one OEMs, is designed to deliver performance leadership in the most critical server functions including Web serving, scalability and floating point calculations. AMD also disclosed updated performance projections for its upcoming native Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors, code-named 'Barcelona.' The new Barcelona projections are based on the latest SPECcpu2006 benchmarks and show that AMD expects to have up to a 50 percent advantage in floating point performance and 20 percent in integer performance over the competition’s highest-performing quad-core processor at the same frequency. These results, as well as the latest benchmark tests, based on AMD Opteron Model 2222 and 8222 SE processors can be found at www.amd.com/opteronperformance. "Today's announcement further demonstrates AMD's commitment to delivering excellence and represents continued innovation along the customer-directed path we blazed four years ago; we provide the complete x86 processor architectural standard others in the industry are trying to emulate and we have planned a seamless upgrade path to native quad-core for delivery to the market in mid-year," said Randy Allen, corporate vice president, Server and Workstation Business, AMD. "With our native quad-core technology, AMD continues to build off of a consistent architecture and will deliver more than just four processing cores. We believe our enhanced architecture will deliver increased performance and performance-per-watt without forcing disruptive platform transitions. Investment protection continues to be a central focus of our customer-centric design principles." In commemoration of the four-year anniversary of the AMD Opteron processor, visitors can go to www.amd.com/opteronanniversary for a glimpse of what the world may have looked like had there been no AMD Opteron processors and no x86 server processor choice. Performance-Per-Watt Leadership As performance-per-watt also continues to be a critical issue for IT decision-makers in addition to raw performance, AMD recently launched the AMD Platform Power Calculator. By leveraging this tool, customers can compare estimated power consumption of servers based on AMD Opteron processors that span all thermal envelopes, 68, 95 and 120 watt, and similar servers based on dual-core processors from the competition. To learn more about how AMD Opteron processors help you get more performance using less power, visit http://enterprise.amd.com/Flash/PlatformPower.html. x86 Virtualization This balanced approach to system architecture is why the combination of AMD Virtualization technology and Direct Connect Architecture provides enhanced virtualization performance. Multiple operating systems running on a single server compete for physical resources, which can exacerbate the performance bottlenecks inherent in other architectures and slow response time for users. Therefore, legacy processor architectures based on a traditional front-side bus are simply not ideal for today's virtualization needs. Widespread Hardware Partner Support Today, the industry’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) announced continued support for AMD Opteron processors: "AMD’s focus on stability, longevity and performance delivers value to customers who rely on AMD Opteron processor-based HP ProLiant servers and blades to run their business," said Paul Miller, vice president, marketing, Industry Standard Servers and BladeSystem Division, HP. "HP’s leadership in delivering a broad portfolio of x86 servers and blades based on the AMD Opteron Model 8222 SE and the upcoming 'Barcelona' processor positions customers to achieve maximum performance of their business-critical applications and virtualize their networks." "As the first company to embrace AMD Opteron processors in 2003, we are gratified to see the impact AMD has had in the datacenter over the last four years. During that time, IBM and AMD have both benefited from our strong alliance, not only at the system level, but also through our technology partnership that is helping to drive the manufacturing of the next generation of AMD processors," said Alex Yost, director, IBM System x. "AMD Opteron processors have been integral to some of our most innovative recent product introductions, including our scalable snap-on blades and Xcelerated Memory Technology. We look forward to continuing our track record of collaborative innovation later this year when AMD's quad-core 'Barcelona' processors are introduced." "AMD and Sun's partnership has been instrumental in helping Sun continue to build tremendous momentum with its x64 business," said Lisa Sieker, vice president of marketing, Systems Group, Sun Microsystems. "Through extensive collaboration, we have been able to optimize systems for the AMD Opteron Model 2222 and 8222 SE processors, in addition to systems based on the upcoming launch of Barcelona. We're excited to continue this strategic partnership through our broad line of x64 systems and the Solaris 10 Operating System, delivering the breakthrough performance and architecture of AMD Opteron processors." "We’re committed to helping customers simplify their IT operations and overcome infrastructure constraints and lifecycle costs so they can focus on what's important – growing their business," said Jay Parker, director of PowerEdge Servers, Dell Product Group. "Solutions like the AMD-based PowerEdge 2970 and PowerEdge Energy Smart 2970 servers give customers the performance they need while helping to reduce energy consumption, complexity and overall lifecycle costs through a simplified upgrade path to multi-core platforms." Pricing For pricing information, visit www.amd.com/pricing.