A Farewell Letter to AMD

The 486 equivalent 133 Mhz processor that is how our relationship started.

The AMD 486 133 Mhz was faster and cheaper then Intel 486 at 66 Mhz. I choose you because you were cheaper and faster. You made me abandon Intel 286 for you, AMD.

All these years I stayed by you, defending you and recommending you.

How many claims of inadequate performance and reliability did I have to disprove for you. I could still remember everyone saying, you are no good for business computers. I asked why, “It’s unstable” they said. I said that is not true, I have no problems with them ever. So many I convinced over that you are good and not overpriced.

The K6 – what fond memories of I have of it! 400 Mhz, yes that was mine. Yes, with you I learned of MP3, encoded many CD with you I did. Got the Overclocker’s virus from you, almost 10 years and I’m still sick with it.

Oh my most joyous moment with you – the socket A!

You’ve grown up and going your own way now; away from the shadow of Intel. My Barton 2500 Overclocked to 2.33 GHz, how happy I was then with you, you were my most impressive overclock. We Counterstrike together, so many we have killed together, so many wars and adventures we went through. I laughed at those with their toasty P4 keeping them warm in summer – what happy memories we have together.

Then you’ve became mature – socket 939 beating everyone at everything. Nothing could match up with you, making Intel send out more and more toasters. And yet you were untouchable, everyone’s desire and envy. Yes, I was very happy with my Venice 3500+, Battlefield 2, FEAR and Guild Wars. Another journey of adventure I had with you, terrorizing people in the HindI and Apache, slaying monsters and meeting so many around the world. Yes, I wanted the dual core, but you’re still fast and cheap, such opposite attributes.

AM2, sadly I will never know you. You’re not bad, but I love my 939 and you are not better and now worse and that is not a good thing. You killed the 939 dual core CPU, no longer will they make 939, stuck with the fx-60 as the fastest. If I spend money on you for a 939, that will be loyalty and not wise of me.

So it pains me to say goodbye AMD.

You started it first, you abandoned me AMD. I was your loyal and faithful follower and supporter, like so many. If only you had continued to make 939’s, I would still be with you for more years. Farewell my good friend, my Intel E6400 is coming, take care, for a lot of us are taking this next step without you.

So long and take care AMD, I wish you well.

An Overclocker, Charles

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stratcatprowlin

Senior Member

4,751 messages 0 likes

#1 Dec 09, 2006

I can see why Charles may switch to Intel right now but the way he described his relationship with his former AMD cpu's,I would at least think he would say "until next time" instead of good bye altogether.I kind of laughed while reading that article.

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rseven

Member

7,497 messages 0 likes

#2 Dec 09, 2006

Well, I guess Charles is a fair weather friend. I have used AMD since 2001 and while many times it has been faster and cheaper, I use them because I will not support an Intel monopoly. If everyone does as Charles has done, in a few years Intel will stagnate and improvements will be very slow in coming. Not to mention that Intel has artificially set lower prices to try and drive AMD into the ground. What kind of prices do you think you will pay if they don't have to compete with AMD? Yes, you know I'm talking about. The competition from AMD is vital to the well being of the industry. Kill it an you will be sorry, Charlie. (My apologies to the Starkist Tuna:) )

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greenmaji

7,465 messages 0 likes

#3 Dec 09, 2006

So rseven should we care to speculate on how much C2D chips would cost without AMD's competition?
I've seen this posted before and I'm pretty good with prices. :p

#4 Dec 09, 2006

No, Greenmaji, I don't want to speculate as all it would be is a total guess, but I think it's a sure thing they would be considerably more expensive.

#5 Dec 09, 2006

I do agree with you that the prices apear to be artificialy low, so it does seem Intel has some intent there. To be honest, without competion they probibly wouldn't have released them yet :-/

rainless

10,545 messages 92 likes

#6 Dec 10, 2006

Well I'm loving the hell out of the artificial pricing :)

I do hope that AMD can help ATI on the level of drivers and power management. I would love to see some low wattage... low temperature ATI video cards. And ATI could help ATI out of being a chump.

I think when AMD took the lead they did they same thing Intel did when THEY had the lead... they rested on their laurels. The fact that they didn't have an immediate response ready for the Core 2 Duo is proof of that. I remember when these two were neck and neck and matching each other processor for processor going back to the 166mhz days. Now AMD is standing there going: "Well... uh... I guess the C2D is KINDA cool... But... uh... Fight the corporations! Down with the man! Who's with me? Anybody...? Hello? Aww..."

RollingThunder

11,334 messages 30 likes

#7 Dec 10, 2006

Charles ought to consider a career in romance novels...
Seriously, though, I think that the sentiments expressed are representative of many enthusiasts and AMD is rapidly losing (our) market share to C2D as a result.
The real danger I foresee, however, in regards to AMDs continued financial health is in the server market. The relative unavailability of socket F processors and motherboards coupled with the introduction of Woodcrest Xeons can't be all that great for their position.
One can only hope that the lower cost of AMD desktop processors will allow them some inroads into the OEM market to hold things up while they (hopefully) reconsider their options.

Well, next year the farewell letter will aimed at Intel and the year after that a photocopy can be made back to AMD. It's been this way for the last 15 years and will be the same for the next 15.

Only those who need to be on the absolute cutting edge need these "farewell" letters. I've used both companies for a long time and don't have a complaint against either. Both are first class.

#8 Dec 10, 2006

Agreed.I would be almost eaqually happy with my AMD 4200 or my last rig with a P4 3.2HT.

Exar Jun

787 messages 0 likes

#9 Dec 10, 2006

Even though I am considering a conroe, I have all faith that amd will still be a power house in the future. They have never really let me down. So what they don't have a response yet to the conroe....The conroe basically hit two grand slams in one at bat. How do you respond quickly to it?

harryinny3

1,418 messages 0 likes

#10 Dec 10, 2006

Well from what i remember reading, AMD's Fab 36 has been converted for 65nm for almost a year i think? I rememebr the Govt of the country its in demanding a complete conversion by a certain time or they would either shut it down or they would fine AMD for not haveing it converted by a certain time? I dont remember all the details, but i think it went something like that?

Anyways, When you promise something on a certain day, and you dont release something(Dec 5th) and you turn around and only release a release on paper, Something is majorly wrong with this. Ive been holding out for a long time now waiting on the 65nm AMD's But those 6300 C2D's that will overclock about 100% are looking pretty sweet. Might just have to buy a chip and put it on the shelf and wait on AMD and then decide to put the thing together.

Harry

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