Overwiew: Is it all over for AMD?

While it seems that AMD can do little but scratch it’s head and watch it’s competitor disappear over the horizon, Intel is about to step up another gear and launch it’s 6×50 series of CPUs on July 22nd, further accelerating it’s lead over AMD.

We’ve already mentioned these, but a quick recap: dual core, 4MB cache, 1333MHzz FSB and frequencies ranging up to 3GHz (basically the 1333MHz versions of the existing Core 2 Duo lineup). Intel will also take the opportunity to introduce some new quad core CPUs as well… in comes the Qx6850 at a full 3GHz, and a Q6700 Quad Pro CPU at 2.67 will also be introduced.

I also suspect they have a 3.2GHz (and higher) model up their sleeves, ready to be rolled out as soon as the market demands it.

But they’re not stopping there. Prices are also to be trimmed, and the new E6850 will be available for approx. £199, while the new Q6700 will be around £350 (note: as usual, buyers in the US will find these to be a fair bit cheaper than their equivalent UK price!)

With AMD reported to be struggling to attain frequencies over 2GHz for their new Barcelona CPUs, have Intel left them in the dust and with nowhere to go but home?

Most definitely not!

AMD have had a tough old 12 months of it and no mistake. Core2 Duo stole their thunder and beat AMD at their own game, namely increased performance at lower power consumption. AMD could only compete in the lower end of the market. Add to that their tardiness in bringing R600 to market, not to mention it’s rather lacklustre performance once it got here, and their recently-discovered problems in clocking Barcelona, and things couldn’t be worse for the underdog. At a time when their bottom line is screaming out for new product, they’re having problem after problem delivering.

However, all is not lost for AMD.

The Barcelona architecture looks great on paper (shame about the new naming scheme though!) and with a recent core revision, is said to have ironed out the problems which were stopping them reaching higher clock speeds. This really will be a CPU to take note of, once the new revision reaches market.

Added to that, OEMs are said to be hot for HD2400 and HD2600 parts - their low price, cool-running and low power consumption makes them very attractive parts. OEMs are said to be snapping up as many as AMD can churn out, which should redress the balance somewhat on the bottom line.

I also believe that the rather sluggish performance of the cards is down to a problem with drivers - only beta versions were available to reviewers - and expect these cards to show greatly improved performance once these are refined.

Although these recent setbacks really couldn’t have come at a worse time for AMD, most of the problems look like they have been addressed. Make no mistake - AMD is not going anywhere - and that’s good news for us, the consumer. After all, no-one wants another monopoly, do they?

Although it may well take another few months to see the fruits of their labours really ripen, I predict that around November time, the competition will be much hotter for Intel, and AMD will be in a much better position, fighting back on all fronts.