SUNNYVALE-OCT. 19, 2004-AMD supports Microsoft's software licensing decision for their server software for multi-core processors. Microsoft server software, which is currently licensed by the number of processors in the server, will continue to be licensed in that model for server hardware that contains dual-core and multi-core processors, and will not be licensed according to the number of processor cores. Since AMD furthered its industry leadership in multi-core computing by demonstrating the industry's first x86 dual-core processor in August, AMD has strongly advocated this customer-centric software licensing strategy for both server and client software.

"AMD is committed to help businesses transition to multi-core technology in the least disruptive way possible, and Microsoft's licensing decision is a major component to enable that migration," said Marty Seyer, corporate vice president and general manager for AMD's Microprocessor Business Unit, Computation Products Group. "I haven't spoken with a single IT manager who wants to swap out their current servers just to upgrade to multi-core technology. With AMD Opteron(tm) processor-based hardware, the upgradeability to upcoming dual-core AMD Opteron processors, and Microsoft's software licensing plans, the IT community will be able to reap the rewards of multi-core technology without the pain of upheaval."

"Microsoft's licensing strategy will help facilitate the broad adoption of multi-core server technology," said Brent Callinicos, corporate vice president of Worldwide Licensing and Pricing at Microsoft Corp. "We are continuing to work closely with industry-leading partners like AMD to create a multi-core ecosystem that meets the needs of customers across the industry."

Multi-core processors are a logical evolution in performance improvements for multi-tasking environments, and dual-core AMD64 processors with Direct Connect Architecture are expected to more efficiently support those multi-tasking demands. Dual-core AMD Opteron processors are expected to be socket compatible with the 90nm single-core AMD Opteron packaging. This approach follows the AMD customer-centric approach of safeguarding software investments while delivering industry-leading processor innovation and enabling an easy migration path.

Dual-core AMD Opteron(tm) processors are scheduled to be available in mid-2005, and by early 2006, AMD expects the majority of its server processors being shipped will be dual core. Dual-core AMD64 processors for PCs are expected to be available beginning in the second half of 2005.