Sunnyvale (CA) - AMD will launch a new processor family named "Sepron" in the second half of this year, the company announced Monday. The chips will target the low-cost market, replacing the Duron brand.

AMD released few details so far, but said that the new processors for desktop and mobile computers are developed "to meet the evolving day-to-day needs of home and business PC users."

Other than basic processors which were built in the past, the Semprons will not just deliver enough perforncae for email, web browsing and word processing, but also simple multimedia applications such as downloading and playing music as well as working with pictures.

"AMD is changing the name of the game for everyday computing. We have responded to evolving customer needs with a compelling solution that delivers the performance needed for today's applications," said Marty Seyer, vice president and general manager, Microprocessor Business Unit, AMD. "The AMD Sempron brand is expected to carry on our tradition to always strive to provide our customers more value."

Shipments of the AMD Sempron and Mobile AMD Sempron processors are scheduled to begin during the second half of 2004.