CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From the Cannes Film Festival AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced a complete refresh of its desktop and notebook platforms based on VISION Technology for consumer and commercial customers. Ahead of the biggest buying cycle of the year, the new notebook platforms offer up to eight hours of battery life while delivering an outstanding visual experience at a great price for the mainstream and ultrathin markets.³

“With VISION Technology from AMD, we are finally connecting how people use their PCs with the way people purchase them,” said Nigel Dessau, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of AMD. “Today, after little more than 200 days in market, our partners are introducing more VISION-based PCs than ever before; a testament to both the competitiveness of AMD platform technology and the simplified marketing approach.”

Introduced in October 2009, VISION Technology from AMD simplifies the PC buying process at the point of sale by focusing on how consumers use PCs, rather than relying upon the confusing “speeds and feeds” technical specifications that many people find difficult to understand. VISION also denotes the powerful visual experience AMD systems enable; an important feature as more consumers use their computers as entertainment hubs for sharing photos, music and videos with friends and family, watching TV and HD videos, and playing games.

AMD 2010 Mainstream and Ultrathin Notebook Platforms

In 2009, 96 million people worldwide bought PCs for entertainment purposes.⁴ The AMD 2010 Mainstream Notebook Platform lets consumers enjoy their movies, music and games in stunning color and clarity, seamlessly connect with friends on social networks, and edit videos and photos. The 2010 Ultrathin Notebook Platform makes it possible for consumers to enjoy a full-featured PC experience, including HD playback, in sleek and affordable notebooks that can deliver up to eight hours of battery life. Examples of the benefits the platforms provide to consumers include the following:

• In testing with HQV 2.0, a VISION-based system with AMD integrated graphics achieved a video experience score almost 2x that of a comparable Intel-based system. Additionally, a VISION-based system with AMD discrete graphics scored 50% better than a comparable Intel-based system with Nvidia discrete graphics.⁵
• Enjoy photos with greater color, clarity and definition by cleaning up photos up to 20 percent faster with Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 than competing mainstream notebooks.⁶
• Transfer entertainment fast and convert DVDs to play on game consoles in up to 37 percent less time than a comparable competitive mainstream notebook.⁷
• Experience up to 80 percent smoother gaming performance in Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare™, compared to a comparable competitive mainstream system.⁸

AMD 2010 Desktop Platform

AMD’s new mainstream and enthusiast desktop platforms are designed to deliver superior performance while alleviating unnecessary spending associated with competing platforms. The new platforms are enhanced with the latest graphics technology for stunning HD digital media and immersive 3D entertainment, and multi-core performance for seamless multi-tasking, including the new six-core AMD Phenom™ II X6 processor. Examples of the benefits the platforms provide to consumers include the following:

• Share movies with friends 30 percent faster than with comparable competing PCs.⁹
• Organize digital libraries 40 percent faster, using facial recognition to categorize photos, than competing desktop PCs.¹⁰
• Build a complete AMD-based system featuring the AMD Phenom™ II X6 processor with all the necessary components and monitor for less than the price of our competition’s only six-core desktop processor.¹¹

Systems featuring these notebook and desktop platforms with VISION Technology from AMD will be available beginning today and through the end of the year from original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and System Integrators including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI and Toshiba.

Resources:

• View the live VISION 2010 Webcast today, May 12^th at 12:00p.m., E.T.
• AMD at the Cannes International Film Festival
• VISION Technology from AMD
• AMD 2010 Mainstream Notebook Platform for Home and Work
• AMD 2010 Ultrathin Notebook Platform for Home and Work
• AMD 2010 Desktop Platforms
  • AMD Phenom™ II X6 processors
• See how VISION Technology from AMD can make a real difference in your life; these videos are just a few examples of the incredible experience made possible by VISION Technology
• AMD at Home blog
• AMD Worldwide Channel Blog
• AMD Facebook
• Follow AMD on Twitter at @AMD_Unprocessed, @AMDDesktop, and @AMDNotebook

About AMD

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD) is an innovative technology company dedicated to collaborating with customers and technology partners to ignite the next generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home and play. For more information, visit AMD.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, ATI, the ATI logo, AMD Athlon, AMD Phenom, AMD Turion, Radeon, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

¹ In 2009 PC manufacturers launched 60 platforms (40 Mainstream Notebook and 20 Ultrathin Notebook) based on VISION Technology from AMD. In 2010 PC manufacturers are launching up to 187 new VISION-based platforms (109 Mainstream Notebook + 26 Ultrathin Notebook + 52 Desktop); more than triples what they launched in 2009.

² In 2009 PC manufacturers launched 20 Ultrathin notebooks based on VISION Technology from AMD and in 2010 they are launching up to 26 new platforms, a 30 percent increase.

³ Based on AMD performance lab test results, running a 2010 AMD Mainstream reference system (Rev 04) with an AMD Turion™ II 25W, S1g4 processor, 2x2GB DDR4 800MHz system memory, ATI Mobility Radeon™ 4250 graphics with local frame buffer (64MB), 14.1” LCD display with LED backlight, 250GB Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 5400rpm hard drive with a 62.16 Whr lithium ion battery pack. System played a DVD movie for 249 minutes (4h 09m) and a Blu-Ray DVD for 183 minutes (3h 03m). Active time based on running FutureMark® 3DMark® 06 looped benchmark test – system ran for 161 minutes (2h 41m). “Resting” time based on running BAPCO MobileMark® 2007 “Productivity” test – system ran for 421 minutes (7h 1m). In testing conducted by AMD performance labs in February 2010 the 2010 Ultrathin platform reference design “Nile” demonstrated up to 483 minutes (8h 3m) on BAPCO MobileMark® 2007 “Productivity” test as “resting” metric and 223 minutes (3h 43m) as an “active” metric using FutureMark® 3DMark® 06 looped benchmark test. This demonstration shows the ability to provide “resting” battery life for up to a full 8-hour work day or “all day” battery life.

⁴ Source: John Peddie Research, 2009

⁵ HQV 2.0 is a tool used by AMD to evaluate video playback quality. HQV 2.0 provides visual feedback for scoring by the AMD reviewer. Scores may vary based on the skill and opinion of the reviewer. All tests performed in AMD performance labs running HQV 2.0. COMPARISON TO INTEL SYSTEM: System configurations include an AMD 2010 mainstream notebook reference design with an AMD Phenom™ II N830 (3C, 2.1G, 1.5M) Triple-core processor and ATI Mobility Radeon™ 4250 graphics, 4GB (2 x 2GB DDR3-1333 memory), Microsoft® Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and an external 24” monitor at a resolution of 1920x1080. The comparable Intel-based system was equipped with a Core i3-330M (2C, 2.13G, 3M) dual-core processor, Intel HD graphics 4GB (2x2GB DDR2-1066), Microsoft® Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and an external 24” monitor at a resolution of 1920x1080. The AMD system scored 167 while the Intel system scored 86. COMPARISON TO INTEL/NVIDIA SYSTEM: Tests performed in AMD performance labs running HQV 2.0. System configurations include an AMD 2010 mainstream notebook reference design with an AMD Phenom™ II N930 (4C, 2.0G, 2M) Quad-core processor and ATI Mobility Radeon™ 5650 graphics, 4GB (2 x 2GB DDR3-1333 memory), Microsoft® Windows 7 Ultimate 64 and an external 24” monitor at a resolution of 1920x1080. The comparable Intel-based system was equipped with a Core i5-520M (2C, 2.40G, 3M) dual-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 320M graphics, 4GB (2x2GB DDR2-1066), Microsoft® Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, and an external 24” monitor at a resolution of 1920x1080. The AMD system scored 181 while the Intel system scored 132.

⁶ Clean up your photos up to 20% faster with Adobe Photoshop Elements 8: Using Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 test of applying filters to JPG files, the AMD platform completed the test in 38 seconds while the Intel platform completed the test in 47 seconds. Based on AMD performance lab test results, the AMD Mainstream Notebook platform included an AMD Phenom™ II N620 (2.8GHz, 2MB L2) Dual-core processor, ATI Mobility Radeon™ 5470 HD Premium Graphics 512MB (Drivers: AMD 8.712.0.0), 4GB (2x2GB) system memory, Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 hard disk and running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. The competing system was an Intel Sony Vaio VPCCW23FX/R featuring Intel Core i3-330M (2C, 2.13G, 3M) dual-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT310M256MB (drivers NVIDIA 8.16.11.8783), 4GB (2x2GB) hard disk and running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

⁷ Convert a DVD to play on your game console in up to 37% less time than a comparable competitive notebook: Using Cyberlink MediaShow Espresso to convert a DVD D1 file of 720x480 resolution in MP2, 9Mbit at 48KHz AC3 audio, running 29.97 frames per second and a duration of 5:15, to a PS3 video clip running at 1280x720 resolution in H.264 at 11.04 Mb/s. The AMD platform completed the conversion in 273 sec vs. the Intel platform completing the test in 434 sec. AMD system is an AMD Mainstream Notebook Platform - VISION Ultimate featuring AMD Phenom™ II N930 (2.0GHz, 2MB L2) Quad-core processor, ATI Mobility Radeon™ 5650 HD Premium Graphics, 1GB, AMD 8.712.0.0, Samsung M471B5673EH1-CH9 system memory, Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 hard disk and running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Competing system was an Intel - HP DV6T-2100 featuring Intel Core i5-520M (2C, 2.40G, 3M) dual-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT320M 256MB (Driver: NVIDIA 8.16.11.8817), Samsung M471B5673EH1-CF8 system memory, Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 hard disk and running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

⁸ Experience up to 80% smoother gaming performance in Call of Duty 4, compared to a comparable competitive ultrathin system: Based on various gaming tests. In Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare running at 1680x1050x32 2xAA 8xAF quality=extra, the AMD platform scored 33.2 22 fps vs. the Intel platform scoring 18.4 fps. AMD system is an AMD Mainstream Notebook Platform - VISION Ultimate featuring AMD Phenom™ II N930 (2.0GHz, 2MB L2) Quad-core processor, ATI Mobility Radeon™ 5650 HD Premium Graphics, 1GB, AMD 8.712.0.0, Samsung M471B5673EH1-CH9 system memory, Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 hard disk and running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Competing system was an Intel - HP DV6T-2100 featuring Intel Core i5-520M (2C, 2.40G, 3M) dual-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT320M 256MB (Driver: NVIDIA 8.16.11.8817), Samsung M471B5673EH1-CF8 system memory, Hitachi HTS545025B9A300 hard disk and running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

⁹ Using Sony Vegas Pro to convert an AVC HD file at 1920x1080 resolution, 13Mbit VBR and 48 KHz AC3 audio, 23.976 frames per second running a duration of 5:37 to a YouTube video running at 480x360 resolution, 2Mbit bit rate and 48 KHz 128k audio. The AMD platform converted the video in 271 seconds vs. the Intel platform completing the conversion in 405 seconds. The 2010 VISION Premium desktop consisted of an AMD Athlon II X4 640 CPU, MSI ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics, AMD 800/SB810 w/NEC_USB 3.0 chipset with Microsoft DirectX 11 running on Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, build 7600. The competitor’s desktop consisted of an Intel Core i3 540 CPU, MSI ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics, Intel Q57 chipset with chipset with Microsoft DirectX 11 running on Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, build 7600.

¹⁰ Using Media Show’s facial recognition feature to process 1035 images the AMD platform completed the analysis in 152 seconds vs. the Intel platform completing the analysis in 257 seconds. The 2010 VISION Black desktop consisted of an AMD Phenom II X6 1090T CPU, Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics, AMD 800/SB810 w/NEC_USB 3.0 chipset with Microsoft DirectX 11 running on Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, build 7600. The competitor’s desktop consisted of an Intel Core i7 930 CPU, Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics, Intel X58 / Intel ICH10R chipset with Microsoft DirectX 11 running on Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, build 7600.

¹¹ AMD-based system cost = ~$925. Intel Core i7 980X six-core processor = $1049.99. Pricing based on competitive MSRP averages of: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T processor ($204.99), AM3 motherboard (~$100), 4G DDR3 1333 memory (~$100), ATI Radeon HD 5670 (~$100) graphics, hard drive (7200 rpm) (~$50), chassis (~$50), power supply unit (~$100), standard 24” 1080P LCD (~ $220), as advertised on www.newegg.com on 5/10/2010. Intel Core i7 six-core price as advertised on www.newegg.com on 5/10/2010. All prices are subject to change.