Budiey
AMD To Offer 64-Bit ARM Processors
Background:
• AMD will transform data center computing by becoming the first company to offer both 64-bit ARM and x86 server processors, starting with the server market.
• Just as AMD introduced the industry’s first mainstream 64-bit x86 server solution with the AMD Opteron™ processor in 2003, AMD will be the only processor provider bridging the x86 and 64-bit ARM ecosystems to enable new levels of flexibility and drive optimal performance and power-efficiency for a range of enterprise workloads.
• AMD is uniquely positioned based on deep 64-bit processor knowledge, years of server development experience, and industry-leading AMD SeaMicro Freedom™ supercompute fabric to offer the most flexible and complete processing solutions for the modern data center.
o AMD will integrate the AMD SeaMicro Freedom fabric across its leadership AMD Opteron x86- and ARM-technology based processors to enable hundreds, or even thousands of processor clusters to be linked together to provide the most energy-efficient solutions.
• AMD’s first ARM-based server CPU is targeted for production in 2014.
• AMD remains committed to the x86 architecture.
o AMD will provide a compute ecosystem filled with choice, offering solutions based on AMD Opteron x86 processors, server-class APUs that leverage Heterogeneous Systems Architecture (HSA), and new 64-bit ARM-based solutions.
Why ARM, Why Now?
• AMD and ARM share a common vision of where the industry is going and the opportunities to disrupt the status quo. Our two companies have been working together for some time on what we are announcing today, and there is a lot more that we can do together.
• Cloud computing is the killer app, and the data center is the backbone of cloud services. Within the data center, dense computing is the fastest growing server segment and is increasingly dominated by small and highly parallelized workloads that are not ideal for traditional server architectures.
• Move clearly represents AMD’s commitment to the data center and the next phase of AMD’s strategy to provide the most flexible solutions for mega data centers.
Top Questions and Facts
Q: Will AMD exclusively offer ARM-based processors moving forward?
A: No. AMD remains committed to x86. We intend to continue to offer choice and offer customers the best architecture for their workloads.
Q: Will your ARM-based server CPUs be branded as AMD Opteron™ products?
A: Yes.
Q: Will AMD increase its investment in software developers as part of its new server strategy?
A: Yes. AMD recognizes that adoption of ARM along with x86 and taking advantage of heterogeneous compute capabilities that utilize CPU, GPU, and hardware workload acceleration is even more of a software effort than it is a hardware effort.
Q: How long has AMD had an ARM 64-bit license?
A: AMD has been working with ARM for more than a year now on a variety of different projects.
Q: Why server first? Why not try to bring a client solution to market quickly to take advantage of Windows RT?
A: The dense and cloud server markets represent the most immediate growth opportunity for AMD to offer a differentiated solution based on our unique IP and experience. Large data center annual CAPEX spend is growing at 33.3% (Capital IQ), and AMD has unique IP and an ability to provide customers with disruptive technologies and choice in this space.
Q: Will you offer ARM-based CPUs for client as well?
A: We view ARM as a strategic partner and expect that our relationship will continue to grow over time. Today we are focused on the immediate opportunity for ARM in the server space where we believe AMD can provide a unique leadership solution.
Q: Are your current OEM partners supportive of this new server strategy?
A: Our intention to build ARM-based server processors is very much customer-driven and our customers see the benefits in being able to offer their customers choice.
These presentations contain forward-looking statements, concerning among other things: AMD’s strategy and future products, including the features and timing of production of these products, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are commonly identified by words such as “would,” “may,” “expects,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” and other terms with similar meaning. Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in these presentations are based on current beliefs, assumptions and expectations, speak only as of the date of these presentations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. The material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation, the following: that Intel Corporation’s pricing, marketing and rebating programs, product bundling, standard setting, new product introductions or other activities may negatively impact our plans; that we may be unable to develop, launch and ramp new products and technologies in the volumes that are required by the market at mature yields on a timely basis; that our third party foundry suppliers will be unable to transition our products to advanced manufacturing process technologies in a timely and effective way or to manufacture our products on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive process technologies; that we will be unable to obtain sufficient manufacturing capacity or components to meet demand for our products or will not fully utilize our projected manufacturing capacity needs at GFs microprocessor manufacturing facilities; that our requirements for wafers will be less than the fixed number of wafers that we agreed to purchase from GF in 2012 or GF encounters problems that significantly reduce the number of functional die we receive from each wafer; that we are unable to successfully implement our long-term business strategy; that customers stop buying our products or materially reduce their operations or demand for our products; that we inaccurately estimate the quantity or type of products that our customers will want in the future or will ultimately end up purchasing, resulting in excess or obsolete inventory; that we are unable to manage the risks related to the use of our third-party distributors and add-in-board (AIB) partners or offer the appropriate incentives to focus them on the sale of our products; that we may be unable to maintain the level of investment in research and development that is required to remain competitive; that there may be unexpected variations in market growth and demand for our products and technologies in light of the product mix that we may have available at any particular time; that we will require additional funding and may be unable to raise sufficient capital on favorable terms, or at all; that global business and economic conditions will not improve or will worsen; that demand for computers will be lower than currently expected; and the effect of political or economic instability, domestically or internationally, on our sales or supply chain. Investors are urged to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.
