AMD to Unveil Another Clone of Intel Microchip
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. on Monday will introduce another clone of a popular Intel Corp. computer chip, increasing its competition with the dominant maker of the “brains” of all IBM-type personal computers.
AMD said Friday that it would start selling a copy of Intel’s popular 386SX microprocessor, which is used in many mid-range desktop and high-end laptop computers.
Intel--the only maker of the chip until now--has not been able to keep up with demand and has been allocating supply to computer makers. But the semiconductor giant has taken legal action against AMD, claiming that it is violating agreements between the two companies by making its clones.
Intel spokeswoman Pam Pollace had no comment on AMD’s announcement.
AMD said its 386SX will cost about the same as Intel’s model, but offers higher processing speed and uses less power.
“We can’t name names, but we will say very major domestic manufacturers will be using our SX,” AMD spokesman David Frink said.
The 386SX is a less-expensive version of Intel’s 386DX microprocessor. The 386 models are edging out Intel’s older 286 processor as the chip of choice in personal computers.
Last week, Intel announced it will produce the 486SX, a less-expensive version of its top-of-the-line 486 microprocessor. Analysts said the 486SX could end up in computers that previously would have used the 386 chip, lessening the attractiveness of the 386 market. No company makes a 486 clone.
In March, AMD started shipping clones of the 386DX microprocessor. Frink said the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company received $10 million worth of orders for them in the first quarter alone.
He said AMD’s goal by year’s end is to capture 5% to 10% of the market for both 386 processors, which is estimated at $1 billion this year.
AMD’s 386SX runs at 25 megahertz, while Intel’s goes at 20 megahertz. Megahertz is a popular yardstick of a processor’s speed.
AMD said it was releasing sample copies of the chip now and will begin large shipments by the end of June.
