AMD Empowers PC Industry to Deliver Innovative Small Form Factor Solutions with DTX and New Energy-Efficient Processors

— Open standards approach enables aesthetically-pleasing platform solutions that combine leading-edge performance with reduced power consumption —

SINGAPORE — Further advancing the availability of energy-efficient platforms, at Computex today, AMD announced the finalization of the DTX specification, an open standard initiated by AMD to enable the development of small form factor PCs. AMD also introduced new 45-watt energy-efficient processors based on 65nm technology, the AMD Athlon™ X2 dual-core processor BE-2350 and the AMD Athlon X2 dual-core processor BE-2300. These innovations help AMD deliver on its commitment to lead the world to energy efficient processing by empowering OEMs and system builders to deliver smaller, quieter computing solutions for the home or office desktop, as well as other locations throughout home.

Industry partners including Albatron, Asus, Cooler Master, ECS, Gigabyte, MSI, Silverstone, and Thermaltake are demonstrating functional DTX demonstration platforms at AMD Booth #TF1I at Computex, Hall 4 TICC with the intent to deliver systems later in 2007.

“AMD remains committed to enabling our ecosystem partners, and the ecosystem as a whole, to develop systems that are not only energy-efficient, but also visually compelling for end users,” said Bob Brewer, corporate vice president and general manager, Desktop Division, AMD. “Our leadership of the DTX initiative, combined with the introduction of new energy-efficient desktop processors, demonstrates AMD’s belief that an open standards approach to driving innovation is the best way to enable solutions to exceed the needs of commercial customers and consumers.”

Industry continues to rally behind energy-efficient solutions
Just six months since AMD first introduced the DTX draft guidelines, AMD has received industry support as well as functioning designs from OEMs, ODMs, component vendors and other industry stakeholders rallying around the possibilities and benefits of developing DTX-based small form factors.

“Strengthening our position as an innovative motherboard manufacturer, ASUS is proud to support AMD’s vision for standardized, open components for small form factor PCs that offer system builders the ability to expand product portfolios by manufacturing specially designed DTX motherboards that fit into a DTX-compliant chassis,” said Joe Hsieh, director of ASUS’s Motherboard Business Department. “Launching our family of DTX motherboards in Q4 of this year will allow us to offer our customers’ access to truly innovative solutions that lower system size and power consumption, while boosting aesthetics and performance.”

With the release of these final guidelines, AMD is helping to empower the PC industry to develop open platforms and components with an emphasis on cost efficiency, system options and backward-compatibility.

“Enhanced proliferation of small form factor desktops can help to significantly spur growth in the overall desktop PC category. Key to any additional growth in small form factor desktops is smaller motherboards, which enable greater design flexibility and new opportunities for desktop innovation,” said Richard Shim, senior research analyst, Personal Computing, IDC. “IDC believes a widely supported small motherboard specification can accelerate the adoption of small form factor desktops, starting in the commercial desktop market and extending into niches within consumer desktop.”

Energy-efficient processors from AMD not only enable differentiated solutions, but are extremely conducive to developing smaller and sleeker form factors that take up less space and are designed to operate quietly. Small form factor PCs can also help cut down on energy consumed and have less impact on the environment than traditional PC form factors. Benefiting both consumers and businesses of all sizes, energy-efficient AMD Athlon X2 processors enable system designs that are capable of reduced noise and heat emissions with extended longevity, for a quieter and more pleasant computing experience in offices and homes. AMD’s new line of energy-efficient 45-watt processors is particularly well suited for standardized small form factors, including those adhering to the DTX specification.

Dell, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Lenovo, and leading system builders worldwide continue to support platforms based on energy-efficient AMD Athlon processors.

“Dell is committed to delivering the most energy-efficient desktops in the industry and AMD plays a key role in helping us deliver on that promise,” said Darrel Ward, director, Dell Product Group. “With the security, reliability and manageability of Dell’s award-winning OptiPlex 740, 45 watt AMD Athlon X2 processors allow us to pack performance and customer choice in a power-efficient package.”

“With our energy-saving ESPRIMO Professional PCs, Fujitsu Siemens Computers continues to leverage our green product strategy and exceed even environmental standards as set by law and market conditions,” said Andreas Thimmel, senior vice president Business Clients, Fujitsu Siemens Computers. “By launching the new energy-saving edition of our Esprimo PC, powered by 45 watt, energy-efficient AMD Athlon X2 processors, Fujitsu Siemens is pleased to offer desktop users the benefits of best-in-class performance capabilities and low power consumption. Both Fujitsu Siemens Computers and AMD have a long tradition of developing innovative solutions that combine optimal productivity with exceptional energy efficiency.”

“Lenovo is committed to building the best-engineered PCs, and energy efficiency continues to play an important role in our PC design,” said Tom Tobul, executive director, product marketing Lenovo. “We are pleased to support AMD's launch of its new energy-efficient AMD Athlon X2 processors as we develop innovative products that are powering businesses today.”

AMD supports ENERGY STAR® Version 4 specification
The introduction of 45-watt AMD Athlon X2 processors is the latest effort by AMD to deliver energy-efficient platform solutions with technologies such as AMD Cool’n’Quiet™ technology. In March 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Cool’n’Quiet technology special recognition for advancing energy-efficient computer technologies. AMD expects that systems built using energy-efficient AMD desktop processors can meet, and in many instances exceed, the new system requirements from the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Version 4 computer specification, effective July 20, 2007.

“The speed of innovation is powering an energy-efficiency revolution in the computer industry,” said Bob Meyers, deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. “Through a new ENERGY STAR specification for computers, EPA and innovative technology partners like AMD are developing energy-efficient technologies that help build a sustainable environment for future generations.”

In conjunction with the introduction of AMD's new 45-watt processors at Computex, AMD is also announcing that it is beginning a transition to a new desktop model numbering convention designed to clearly communicate product improvements and differences. The new convention, which AMD plans to apply to upcoming products, is designed to create more visible model increments representing the step function performance of multi-core processors in many usage scenarios. As new processors are introduced, the new system should be increasingly valuable in identifying and distinguishing AMD processors.

For more information on AMD desktop processor model numbers, please visit http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_9485_13041^13076,00.html.