Tabula Rasa: Six Boards for the Pentium 4

AMD's Weaknesses - Cooperating With Software Producers

The buzzword is Rambus. The two upper modules are RDRAM modules, whereas the two lower ones act as continuous modules.

Unlike Intel, AMD doesn't produce chipsets for high demand - AMD760 is not available in large quantities. Third-party vendors are expected to do the job of providing volume DDR-chipsets, but the currently available MaGiK1 chipset from ALi performs considerably worse than AMD760 and VIA's upcoming Apollo KT266 is not expected to be a great performer as well. Ramping up its own chipset production would help AMD to improve its market position considerably and optimize processor capacity use. Competitor Intel stays in close contact with software producers in order to push its compiler technology and command structures in the market better.

The Intel 850 chipset consists of two chips - the MCH Intel KC82850, produced for the first time here using FC-PGA design methods, and the well-known "southbridge" Intel 82801BA.