AMD 2008 Annual Report Download - page 16

We also believe that businesses and consumers want more integrated computing solutions or platform
products. A platform is a collection of technologies that are designed to work together to provide a more
complete computing solution. We believe that integrated platforms bring end users improved system stability,
increased performance and energy efficiency while enabling faster time to market for systems manufacturers.
Microprocessor Products
We currently offer single-core and multi-core microprocessor products for servers, workstations, notebooks
and desktop PCs. Our current microprocessors are designed with both 32-bit and 64-bit processing capabilities.
We based our microprocessors on the x86 instruction set architecture and AMD’s Direct Connect Architecture.
AMD Direct Connect Architecture connects an on-chip memory controller and input/output, or I/O, channels
directly to one or more microprocessor cores. For multi-core microprocessors, we integrate two or more
processor cores onto a single die and each core has its own dedicated cache, which is memory that is located on
the semiconductor die, permitting quicker access to frequently used data and instructions. Some of our
microprocessors have additional levels of cache such as L2, or second level cache, and L3, or third level cache, to
enable faster data access and higher performance. We believe this architecture, and the integrated memory
controller in particular, enables substantially higher performance than traditional front-side bus architectures
because memory can be accessed more directly, resulting in increased bandwidth and reduced memory latencies.
Our processors support HyperTransport™ technology, which is a high-bandwidth communications interface
that enables substantially higher multi-processor performance and scalability than competing x86 architectures.
In designing our processors, we also focus on continuously improving power management technology, or
“performance-per-watt.” To that end, we offer processors that feature AMD PowerNow! ™and Cool’n’Quiet™
technology, which are designed to reduce system level energy consumption, with multiple levels of lower clock
speed and voltage states that can significantly reduce processor power consumption during idle times. Our
microprocessors are designed to be compatible with operating system software such as the Microsoft®
Windows®family of operating systems, Linux®, NetWare®, Solaris and UNIX. We also designed AMD’s Direct
Connect Architecture to enhance the security of a user’s computing environment by integrating security features
that are designed to prevent the spread of certain viruses when enabled by the anti-virus features of current
versions of certain operating systems, including Linux, the Microsoft®Windows®family of operating systems
and Solaris operating systems.
In 2008, we developed a number of integrated computing solutions in the form of computing platforms. Our
platforms include microprocessors, graphics processing units, or GPUs, chipsets and core software. We have
launched the following platforms, which are discussed in more detail below: AMD Business Class, an initiative
dedicated to developing AMD processor-based commercial desktop and notebook platforms designed
specifically for businesses, the “Puma” platform for notebooks, the “Yukon” platform for ultrathin notebooks and
the “Dragon” platform for desktop PCs.
Server and Workstation Microprocessors. Our microprocessors for servers and workstations consist
primarily of our quad-core and dual-core AMD Opteron ™processors. A server is a system that performs services
for connected clients as part of a client-server architecture. They are designed to run an application or
applications, often for extended periods of time with minimal human direction. Examples of servers include web
servers, e-mail servers, database services, file servers and print servers. A workstation is a high-end PC, designed
for technical applications such as computer-aided design and digital content creation. Workstations usually offer
higher performance than is normally seen on a PC, especially with respect to graphics, processing power,
memory capacity and multitasking activity.
AMD Opteron processors for servers and workstations with Direct Connect Architecture are designed to
enable simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing. These processors can be used in a variety of server
applications, including business processing (enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management,
and supply chain management) and business intelligence. They can also be used in workstation applications such
6