AMD just rolled out new processors as it continues to battle rival Intel 
for enterprise server customers. Once code-named Interlagos, the Opteron 6200 and 4200 series processors are making bold promises.
For starters, AMD claims the new series offers better performance , increased scalability for virtualization and up to 73 percent more memory bandwidth . That allows servers to host more virtual machines and handle increasing workloads.
AMD also touts more efficient economics for the cloud with half the power per core, requiring two-thirds less floor space and as much as two-thirds lower platform price.
"Our industry is at a new juncture. Virtualization has provided a new level of reliable consolidation and businesses are now looking to the cloud for even more agility and efficiency," said Paul Struhsaker, corporate vice president and general manager for commercial business at AMD. "We designed the new AMD Opteron processor for this precise moment."
AMD's 2012 Roadmap
AMD also announced the expansion of its 2012 roadmap with the addition of the new AMD Opteron 3000 Series platform. The AMD Opteron 3000 Series platform targets the ultra-dense, ultra-low power 1P Web Hosting/Web Serving and micro-server markets. Specifically, the AMD Opteron 3000 series offering is designed for hosting customers who need dedicated servers for their customers.
Systems from Acer, Cray, Dell, HP, IBM and many additional channel and motherboard partners are expected on the market in the coming days and weeks.
The first processor in the lineup will be the four- to eight-core CPU code-named "Zurich." AMD expects to ship the product in the first half of 2012. "Zurich" is based on the "Bulldozer" architecture and leverages the new Socket AM3+.
AMD is also introducing embedded server processors designed for high-end embedded systems such as storage , telecommunications and networking infrastructure. These models are planned to be available to match the embedded market's longevity need.
AMD's Narrow Window
"Interlagos looks very promising," said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT. "The performance is designed for three critical areas -- primarily to support highly virtualized workloads that are commonplace in x86 data centers and to do so in an extremely energy-efficient power envelope."
In practical terms, King said AMD is offering a performance-oriented processor that seamlessly supports both applications and workloads in virtualized and non-virtualized environments. Although King said AMD is giving customers something to like, it may not be enough -- or fast enough -- to ward off Intel.
"Interlagos was delayed a couple of times and Intel has been marching ahead on its own. AMD's chips are appearing just a few weeks or a couple of months ahead of Intel's first 22-nanometer-based chips. Interlagos is a 32-nanometer," King said. "Depending on how well AMD can push these new chips into the marketplace and how quickly Intel responds, the window of opportunity may be a bit narrower than AMD would like."
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