The Opteron-processor based servers offer compelling performance benefits to both high performance computing customers and those with more modest needs. It is available today in 2, 4 and soon we expect 8-way configurations for those that want to purchase or build their own servers. This allows customers to get the most out of their 32-bit applications while ensuring seamless, predictable performance when moving applications to 64-bit platforms. 

We expect that Intel will fight back by revamping the Xeon with a myriad of techniques including boosting the size of the  L3 cache (with little effect) and perhaps the L2 cache as well as trying and get more out of hyper-threading technology and other "tweaks".  There is nothing that Intel is likely to be able to do that will prevent a significant loss of their server market share to the Opteron.  It is not the first time AMD has "out-flanked" the completion and we believe it will not be the last time either.  You may hear different opinions in the marketplace.  Intel is known for announcing products that do not appear in the market until some future date.  They enjoy confusing the issue and in effect convincing server buyers that they should pay more for less. 

We build servers for a living and are not confused at to which products perform as advertised.  Opteron is the better product at the better price, you can't put it any plainer than that.  SecureWebs will continue to be AMD fans as long as they continue to make affordable processors that address power consumption, performance and reliability with a balanced approach. 

In the meantime, I am going to enjoy the fact that our own online hosting service is hosted on a brand-new lighting fast Opteron server.

Author Scott Hirsch works for SecureWebs, Inc. in Washington State.  SecureWebs is a server farm that has been offering Windows hosting solution since 1996.