AMD introduces four Athlon XP microprocessors

<br>SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) _ Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is upgrading its line of desktop computer processors with faster chips, familiar names and revised performance measurements. <br><br>The chip-maker

Tuesday, October 9th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) _ Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is upgrading its line of desktop computer processors with faster chips, familiar names and revised performance measurements.

The chip-maker launched four processors Tuesday _ all under the name Athlon XP. AMD says ``XP'' stands for ``extra performance,'' not ``experience'' as in Microsoft's upcoming Windows XP operating system.

``It's clever marketing on their part to hitch a product to what they think will be a rising star,'' said Nathan Brookwood, an analyst at the research firm Insight 64. ``Any fast processor can do an adequate job running Windows XP.''

Athlon XP chips run at speeds ranging from 1.33 gigahertz to 1.53 GHz, which is still below the highest clock speed of rival Intel Corp.'s Pentium 4 processor, which now tops out at 2 GHz.

AMD, however, says a processor's frequency is not the best measure of performance, and that its chips outperform Intel in tests of commonly used programs.

AMD will market the chips based on performance rather than clock speed. The 1.5 GHz Athlon XP will be sold as the Athlon 1800+. The 1.33 GHz is called the Athlon XP 1500+.

The new chips also incorporate several architectural enhancements and consume about 20 percent less power, the company said.

AMD also plans to introduce a performance measurement system that will be rolled out next year. Details of that initiative were expected to be released Tuesday.

The new Athlon XP chips range in price from $130 for the 1500+ to $252 for the 1800+, when purchased in quantities of 1,000.