Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is answering Intel. In August, it will launch the quad-core ‘Barcelona’ processors:

“The first Barcelona models, formally called Quad-Core Opteron, will run at clock frequencies up to 2GHz and will be available in standard and low-power versions. Faster models, both of the standard and more power-hungry special-edition ilk, will arrive in the fourth quarter, the company said. The first servers using the chips will come in September.”

link: AMD’s quad-core ‘Barcelona’ coming in August

Intel and AMD seem reminiscent of the razor blade industry. First it was one blade; then there were two blades; and now I think there are four blade razors. No doubt the number of blades to be fitted onto a razor will expand, just as the number of processors will expand. In both industries, one wonders where is the point of diminishing returns… or will the marketing departments be able to continue to convince that ‘more is always better’.

Catherine Forsythe

Tags: amd, intel, quad core processors, marketing